Top 10 Best Star-Gazing Locations in USA

cherry springs

Photo: mensjournal

1. Cherry Springs State Park

Located in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Known for having some of the darkest skies in the east coast at night. It is the second International Dark Sky Park.

 

death valley

Photo: theactivetimes

2. Death Valley National Park

Located east of the Sierra Nevada. A gold-certified Internation Dark Sky Park, it provides very minimal artificial light. The combination of fresh air, a dry climate, and the vast horizon lets you appreciate nature more.

 

mauna

Photo: travelagewest

3. Mauna Kea

Located in the Big Island in Hawaii. This dormant volcano is about a million years old. Some claim that the top of this magnificent volcano is one of the best places to marvel at the stars.

 

kitt peak

Photo: bloomberg

4. Kitt Peak National Observatory

Located on Kitt Peak of the Quinlan Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. It has the world’s most expansive collection of optical telescopes. It also has a Visitor Center and a Museum that are both must-sees.

 

big bend

Photo: dreamplango

5. Big Bend National Park

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas. You can see approximately 2,000 starts without the aid of telescopes. They also have free astronomy programs conducted by their friendly rangers.

 

chaco canyon

Photo: daily-times

6. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Located in New Mexico. Aside from a breath-taking view of the sky, many of the infrastructures were constructed with celestial events as reference and/or inspiration.

 

lowell

Photo: space

7. Lowell Observatory

Located in Flagstaff, Arizona. One of the oldest observatories in America. It became the world’s very first International Dark Sky City in 2001. It was also where the planet Pluto was discovered. People are very interested to use the special solar telescopes that they have.

 

Photo: rewards-insiders.marriott

8. Big Pine Key

Located in Florida. This is one of the only places in the United States where you can see the Southern Cross constellation. It is also where the Southern Cross Astronomy Society throws their annual Winter Star Party.

 

headlands

Photo: publicbroadcasting

9. The Headlands

Located on the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. Aside from a thousand stars, people can sometimes catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

 

Photo: fodors

10. Denali National Park and Preserve

Located in Alaska. Here, you can observe the stars as well as the magnificent ethereal green, red, blue, and purple dancing hues of the Northern Lights , also known as the Aurora Borealis.