We\u2019ve pulled together a list of seven places that have been rated as the best for stargazing, earning them designations<\/a> through the International Dark Sky Places conservation program. (You can find a full list on the IDSP interactive map<\/a>.) For even more stargazing sites, check out the posts on Apartment Therapy<\/a>, REI Coop<\/a>, and Attractions of America<\/a>. And don\u2019t miss one of the many stargazing festivals<\/a> held throughout the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy stargazing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Straddling the Texas-Mexico border in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend is the 15th largest in the national park system and is known for its rich biological and geological diversity, cultural history, and recreational resources. It\u2019s also an International Dark Sky Park<\/a>, and with the inclusion of the Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (CMSNA) into its existing IDSP designation, it\u2019s one of the largest areas of protected night sky in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Big Bend has free, regularly scheduled night sky interpretive programs<\/a> held by Park Rangers and volunteers. Or enjoy the DIY version: grab your binoculars and a lawn chair and enjoy the celestial show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2079, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was named the nation\u2019s first dark sky reserve<\/a> by the International Dark-Sky Association \u2014 one of only 20 international dark sky reserves in the world \u2014 and also received the IDA\u2019s \u201cGold Tier\u201d status, the highest ranking of the quality of the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What makes it so ideal in terms of stargazing? Oddly, the lack of development and visitor services also makes it the ideal \u201coff-grid\u201d experience: no electricity or mobile phone service across its more than a thousand square miles, according to IDA<\/a>. The lack of artificial light makes it one of the last places of natural nighttime darkness in the U.S., which has led to a growing astrotourism industry for visitors who want to see the heavens. The lack of light pollution means you won\u2019t even need binoculars or a telescope to view Milky Way Galaxy and planets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cherry Springs<\/a> has several qualities that make it a must-go place for stargazing. The first is the elevation of Astronomy Field, situated at the 2,300-foot-high mountain that offers an excellent 360-degree view of the night sky. The second is its location: 41.6501 degrees north and 77.8164 degrees west, which allows for ideal viewing of the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy. And then there is the minimal light pollution, due as much to the surrounding undeveloped state forest as to the shielded lighting in the park with all white light converted to red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s no wonder that the International Dark-Sky Association named it a Dark Sky Park<\/a>. The park has three areas for stargazing: the Night Sky Public Viewing Area<\/a> (for short-term viewing), the Rustic Campground<\/a> (for overnight stargazing for casual stargazers), and the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field<\/a> (for overnight viewing for serious stargazers with equipment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glacier National Park has much to offer visitors: melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. And for stargazers, the Park, together with its sister park, Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada, has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association<\/a> (IDA)\u2014the first IDA-certified international transboundary Dark Sky Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t the first time the two Parks have achieved certification. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was created in 1932, and in 1995, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site was established. The Dark Sky Park certification requires that both parks make a long-term commitment to preserving dark skies, protecting nocturnal habitats, and ensuring public enjoyment of the night sky and its heritage, among other obligations. The Park has several astronomy programs<\/a> during the summer, with sophisticated telescopes available for participants, as well as Ranger-led activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may only have a population of just 690 (according to the 2020 census), but the residents of Beverly Shores take light pollution seriously, which is how this small city earned the designation of an International Dark Sky Community<\/a> from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2014. Adjacent to the Indiana Dunes, the city implemented several strategic initiatives, including retrofitting residential and commercial light fixtures and educating property owners about the importance of protecting the nighttime environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visits to nearby Indiana Dunes National Park<\/a> offer stargazing opportunities at Kemil Beach<\/a>, one of the darkest spots along Lake Michigan\u2019s south shore. Close by is the Thomas Conway Observatory<\/a> in Lowell, IN\u2014home to the Calumet Astronomical Society, Inc., which makes the Observatory open to the public on monthly Open House nights, and Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana<\/a> in Hammond, IN, housing two mission simulators, a planetarium, and a multipurpose science room. And don\u2019t miss Singing Sands Stargaze at Indiana Dunes State Park<\/a>\u2014an annual event with local astronomers from the Calumet Astronomical Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re visiting Newport State Park, you will find 30 miles of hiking trails and the chance to do some backpack camping in the Park\u2019s 2,300 acres of forest. And if you like to stargaze, you\u2019re in luck since it\u2019s also an International Dark-Sky Association-designated Dark Sky Park<\/a>. Located at the far end of the Door Peninsula<\/a>, Newport State Park provides excellent nighttime viewing and an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, thanks to a community effort to IDA-compliant lighting projects and community education and outreach emphasizing the importance of reducing light pollution to protect local wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Newport Wilderness Society<\/a> has tips for making the most of your stargazing experience at the park as well as a downloadable brochure<\/a> with more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antelope Island State Park has it all: spectacular views of lake and island scenery, opportunities to hike, bike or horseback ride, year-round interpretive opportunities, and a chance to birdwatch and see its natural inhabitants such as free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and, of course, antelopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And due to its situation as an island and protected land, it\u2019s free of the kind of developments that bring light pollution, which is how it earned its destination as a Dark Sky Park<\/a> in 2017 from the International Dark-Sky Association. The Park has a variety of night-time activities, including astronomy programs and Star Parties in partnership with the Ogden Astronomical Society<\/a>. You can also download the Antelope Island Dark Sky Brochure<\/a> for locations and tips for the best stargazing experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/nucamprv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/BigBendNP-1024x576.jpg\")
Big Bend National Park, TX<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, ID<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/nucamprv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/CherryPark-1024x684.jpg\")
Cherry Springs State Park, PA<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/nucamprv.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/GlacierNP-1024x683.jpg\")
Glacier National Park, MT<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beverly Shores, IN<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Newport State Park, WI<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Antelope Island State Park, UT<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n