Many amateur astronomers first look to the National Parks for their stargazing opportunities. And while plenty places within the NPS offer unobstructed, unhindered views of the night sky, they're not the only places to catch nature's best show. State parks can offer more accessible and more affordable places for families, groups, or individuals to spend a few hours or even a night or two checking out constellations.
You can easily venture deep into the trails of your closest state park to enjoy a celestial view. But these three in particular are among the top-ranked state parks for stargazing in the U.S.
1. Cherry Springs State Park - Pennsylvania
Consistently named one of the top 10 places in the entire world to observe the night sky, Pennsylvania's Cherry Springs State Park should be at the top of every stargazer's list. Cherry Springs State Park is located in the tiny town of Coudersport, surrounded by the Susquehannock State Forest and about 60 miles north of State College. The park is the top spot in the eastern United States to see a truly dark sky without light pollution. The viewing area is on top of a 2,300-foot-high mountain with a 360-degree view. On one of the average of 60 to 85 clear nights annually here, your naked eye can easily see more than 10,000 stars across the dark sky.
Cherry Springs State Park offers three options for stargazing:
- Night Sky Public Viewing Area: This area is set up for people looking to sit out and soak in the stars for just a few hours at a stretch. It's free to the public and doesn't require any registration. Simply take a blanket or lawn chair with you and enjoy the view. White light isn't forbidden here, but the park recommends red filters over flashlights to preserve night vision.
- Rustic Campground: If you're a stargazer who wants to watch the sky overnight, check out this campground, where no lighting restrictions are enforced. It's affordable, but you'll want to book a space ahead of time.
- Overnight Astronomy Observation Field: For serious stargazers and photographers with dedicated equipment, this area with white light prohibition is the right choice. You must register, pay, and agree to terms before entering this special portion of Cherry Springs State Park.
The best time to visit Cherry Springs State Park for stargazing is between April and October on a clear, moonless night (of course). Depending on the time of year, this quiet area also offers excellent trout fishing, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures during the daylight hours.
If you make the trip to Cherry Springs State Park but don't plan to camp there, check out Frosty Hollow Bed & Breakfast. The charming accommodations are located just a few miles down the road from the public viewing area. The bed and breakfast offers affordable rates, delicious food, and a cute gift shop on the quaint property.
2. Big Bend Ranch State Park - Texas
Designated as a gold-tier Dark Sky Park by the International DarkSky Association in 2018, Big Bend Ranch State Park is the best place in the Lone Star State to stargaze. Adjacent to a national park of the same name (which is also great for stargazing) along the border of Mexico, Big Bend is free of light pollution and provides a view of 2,000 stars with the naked eye on a clear night.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the best areas to stargaze in Big Bend Ranch State Park are along River Road, the West Contrabando Trailhead, Big Hill, and the Hoodoos—all accessible by vehicle. The spring and summer months provide plenty of ideal nights for stargazing, but you should try to avoid the cloudy late-summer monsoon season, which could hinder your view of the night sky.
3. Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks - California
This region offers more than 139,000 acres of darkness with little light pollution over these three state parks and Redwood National Park. The Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, and Prairie Creek Redwoods state parks are easily accessible yet don't get the same level of foot traffic as the adjacent national park, making them great options for taking in the night sky. The area offers several campgrounds for stargazers to stay, as well as plenty of other outdoor recreation opportunities. You'll have to locate open areas within the state parks where the enormous trees don't block your view of the night sky, but such spots are plentiful in this sprawling country. Summer is a prime time to hit these state parks for stargazing, though the sky can be enjoyed year-round.
