There are few sights as awe-inspiring as the night sky, with the cloudy band of the Milky Way and the planets shining overhead. While most people travel for daytime sightseeing or adventure experiences, there are plenty of reasons to plan extra time into your vacation to enjoy stargazing in the USA.
This week (April 15 – 22) marks International Dark Sky Week. Organized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), which works with destinations around the world to certify the quality of their dark skies, this week is designed to raise awareness about light pollution. If you want to celebrate by seeing some of the best skies in the USA, all of these parks are certified by the IDA as dark sky places and are great spots to catch a celestial show. Based on what else drives you to explore the world, here’s how to choose the best one for you.
Best for hiking: The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Hiking along the rim of the Grand Canyon or down in its depths is a bucket-list-worthy adventure. It’s home to a variety of trails you can enjoy during the day, and once the sun sets, you can spend your evenings attending organized astronomy events. There’s usually a variety of ranger talks, constellation tours, and star parties where local astronomers bring their telescopes to set up at the visitor centers on the north and south rim.
How to visit: There are three campgrounds and an RV campground available near both the north rim and south rim of the Grand Canyon, offering a wide variety of accommodations. Reservations are required at least several weeks in advance.
Best for families: Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
If young members of your family are interested in the night sky, Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, Pennsylvania is a great option. This state park, although small at just 1.7 square miles, represents one of the best pockets of darkness near the east coast. It hosts multiple programs on weekend nights when park educators or guest speakers introduce the wonders of the night sky and natural world at night to all ages.
How to visit: Cherry Springs is about 4 hours from Pittsburgh or 4.5 hours from Philadelphia. During the summer months, you can camp overnight at one of 30 sites in the park, but they fill up fast, so plan your visit accordingly.
Best for solitude: Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah
Located near one of the most sparsely populated areas in the contiguous United States, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary. You’ll need to plan ahead to go stargazing, as there are no roads leading to the iconic rock formation. The only way to reach this natural wonder is by obtaining a backcountry hiking permit from the neighboring Navajo Nation.
How to visit: Camping at Rainbow Bridge is not permitted; you need to hike in for stargazing and then return to a designated campsite on Navajo Lands. It’s best to visit the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park office in Page, Arizona, for guidance on camping options.
Best for amateur paleontologists: Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah
Spend the day exploring dinosaur fossils dating back 150 million years; at night, gaze at stars whose light has traveled the same amount of time. Straddling the border between Colorado and Utah, you can ponder the vast history of the universe through the well-preserved geologic record in this park. Additionally, there are human petroglyphs for those interested in more modern history.
How to visit: There are six campgrounds within Dinosaur National Monument; some are located within hiking distance of fossils or petroglyphs. More adventurous travelers can opt to raft down the Green River from the Gates of Lodore campground, which provides the most remote parts of the National Monument for optimal dark skies.
Best for urban stargazing: Homer Glen, Illinois
It might seem as though you must prepare for a multi-night journey to enjoy stargazing in the most remote parts of the country. In fact, there are dark sky places closer than you might think. Homer Glen, home to 25,000 people and only an hour from downtown Chicago, is certified as a Dark Sky Community and hosts semi-regular stargazing events for residents and visitors alike.
How to visit: If you’re staying in Chicago, consider a room at the historic Plaza Hotel. You’ll have a view of Millennium Park and it’s an easy walk to the Adler Planetarium to learn more about the wonders of the universe.
Best for going off the grid: Cosmic Campground, New Mexico
If the idea of going off the grid is your ideal escape, there’s a dark sky park for that. Cosmic Campground was the first certified Dark Sky Sanctuary in the northern hemisphere. A sanctuary is usually very remote, with few (if any) nearby threats to its darkness. Because of its remoteness, it requires advocacy to maintain its dark sky status.
Located beneath some of the darkest skies in the U.S., within the Gila National Forest in western New Mexico, Cosmic Campground is basic: it features only pit toilets, with no water or trash services at the campground, and visitors must use red lights outside after dark, ensuring that everyone enjoys the pristine night sky.
How to visit: Cosmic Campground currently has five campsites available for RVs, trailers, or tent camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
This article was first published June 4, 2019, and updated April 18, 2023.
