Stargazing

Starry night sky over a rocky canyon landscape at Black Canyon of the Gunnison..

Person pointing a laser at the starry sky in a field at night.

NPS

See millions of stars from the dark skies of national parks.

While you can see stars from your own backyard, natural darkness makes our parks some of the best viewpoints for stargazing. Whether you're hiking, camping, or coming to watch an astronomical event, you will be able to see thousands of stars with your own eyes. So turn off any bright lights, look up, and let the night sky surprise you.

The Devil's Playground area in the petrified forest

Escape the city lights

With 99% of Americans living under light-polluted skies, a clear view of the many types of astrological phenomena on display in the night sky is something that most of us rarely experience. Fortunately, many of our parks offer exquisite star gazing, and with just a little planning (along with cooperative weather), you'll be able to see deep into the heavens above.

Stars, meteors, eclipses, and more

There's much more to the night sky than stars. From storied pasts to delicate ecosystems, our night skies are worth enjoying and protecting.

Starry night sky over Black Canyon with a river.

Constellations

Bright star patterns such as the Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major, or Big Bear) or Cassiopeia are easy to spot due to their common shapes (bowl with handle and W-shape, respectively). While these two are visible in the northern hemisphere nearly year-round, many others shift throughout the seasons. Try and find more!

Starry night sky over rocky landscape, faint meteor streak.

NPS

Meteor Showers

These incredible events occur when much cosmic debris (meteoroids) enter Earth's atmosphere on parallel trajectories. Best seen after midnight, many showers have predictable peak activity which attracts many viewers.

Woman viewing a solar eclipse through glasses, snowy mountain backdrop.

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Eclipses

While total eclipses are rare, partial eclipses happen several times a year. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth's shadow covers the moon, giving the moon a red glow. Solar eclipses are the opposite: the moon passes in front of the sun, partially or totally covering it. If you're lucky enough to be present for a solar eclipse, be sure to wear special eye protection or look indirectly at the sun to protect your eyes.

Milky Way

The Milky Way is the galaxy that includes the Solar System; it appears as a hazy band of light seen in the night sky. It's formed from stars in other arms of the galaxy, so distant that they cannot be individually distinguished with the naked eye.

A few things to consider

Northern lights reflecting on a calm lake under a starry sky.

NPS

Check the forecast

Stargazing is best under a clear sky, so look out for any clouds in the forecast, as they can block your visibility. In fact, even the moon can disrupt your view; for the best experience, schedule your trip around the new moon phase for the darkest possible sky.

Starry night sky with Milky Way over silhouette of dark mountains.

NPS

Be mindful of your light

When it comes to stargazing, darkness is key. Of course, please be safe on trails or campgrounds; stick to headlamps or warm-colored LED lights, and when you look up to the sky, turn them off! Low and red lights also protect our nocturnal wildlife.

Park ranger kneeling, talking to a young girl in a park setting.

NPS

Talk to an expert

Want to know more? Several of our parks offer educational night-sky programming such as night hikes, ranger-led interpretive programs, or Junior Ranger programs. Our experts love your questions!

Night sky over snowy trees with a single cloud, a glowing horizon, and scattered stars.

NPS

Bring warm clothes

No matter how unlikely it might seem during the warm daytime hours, nighttime temperatures can drop suddenly and dramatically, so be sure to have plenty of warm clothes on hand.

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A few of our favorite starry skies are in International Dark Sky Parks

Check out all our International Dark Sky Parks.

Starry night sky with Milky Way over a dark silhouette of a landscape.

NPS

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Massive buildings testify to the organizational and engineering abilities of the ancestral Puebloans. Gain a deep connection with the canyon that was central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 through guided tours, hiking and biking trails, evening campfire talks, and night sky programs.

Explore park : Chaco Culture

Great Basin National Park

From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sage-covered foothills, a stunning diversity of the larger Great Basin region unfolds. Enjoy the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages.

Explore park : Great Basin

Starry night sky over a calm lake with distant mountains at Great Sand Dunes.

NPS/Patrick Myers

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Available day and night year-round, this park offers stellar experiences of starry skies on moonless nights or surreal walks on the dunes under bright full moonlight.

Explore park : Great Sand Dunes

Person standing on rocks at Jumbo Rocks Campground, pointing at starry sky with Milky Way.

Chiricahua National Monument

A wonderland of towering rock pinnacles waits for you to explore. The eight-mile paved scenic drive and 17 miles of day-use hiking trails reveal the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 12,025-acre site. Visit the Faraway Ranch Historic District and experience the beauty of an astounding landscape to discover more about the people who have called this area home, including the Chiricahua Apache.

Explore park : Chiricahua

Where to go

Explore parks for stargazing

Whether you're a stargazing expert or a newcomer, a homebody or a camper, step outside on a clear night and look up at the sky. In the darkness of our partner parks, you're sure to see something new.