9 Amazing U.S. National Parks for Stargazing

Since the 1970s, astronomers have observed the growing problem of light pollution, which has increased by 10 percent each year over the past decade. From LED streetlights to neon signage, artificial light disrupts the essential cycles of light and darkness crucial for wildlife and human sleep patterns.

In response to the excess of artificial lighting, astronomer David Crawford and physician Tim Hunter founded the International Dark-Sky Association in 1988, aiming to reduce and eliminate harmful lighting. This initiative has led to dark-sky tourism, promoting activities like stargazing and viewing the northern lights. The organization now operates under the name DarkSky.

Whether you're enjoying an astronomy talk, hiking a trail, or relaxing under the stars, explore these nine U.S. national parks to discover the darkest areas of the country.

Pro tip: The best stargazing typically occurs during the new moon phase, so check NASA’s schedule. Keep an eye on the weather for clear skies, and plan to head out at least an hour after sunset.

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona

Located about 90 minutes from Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park offers stunning views of the Milky Way—an experience nearly 80 percent of Americans can no longer enjoy due to light pollution. Recognized as a Dark Sky Park in 2019, it’s a must-visit for your bucket list. Stargazing enthusiasts flock to the park's annual “Star Party” (the next event will take place from June 21 to 28 in 2025), featuring guest speakers and telescope viewings at both the North and South Rims.

If you can't attend one of the park's Night Sky events, bring a red lamp for stargazing at Mather Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, or Yavapai Point.

Where to stay

Experience glamorous camping in the desert at the sky domes of Clear Sky Resorts, located just 30 minutes south of the Grand Canyon. This property features amenities like food trucks and firepits. Alternatively, stay at Yavapai Lodge within the park, which offers a Star Gazing Package along with complimentary Night Sky Talks on the James Webb Space Telescope and a star-viewing event at the Grand Canyon Village’s Market Plaza.

2. Death Valley National Park

California

Not only is Death Valley the lowest and driest national park in the U.S., but it also boasts one of the highest darkness classifications recognized by DarkSky. Nestled between the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert, this vast park is famous for its starry skies. It hosts the annual Dark Sky Festival in collaboration with NASA and is close to the Panamint Valley's California Dark Sky Festival, set for November 1 to 4, 2024. These events are part of a growing number of dark-sky celebrations, including International Dark Sky Week and the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour.

For those seeking adventure, consider camping or bringing your RV or van to the Death Valley Starcamp in Panamint Valley during the winter. This campsite will feature telescopes, giant LED-lit chess sets, and an outdoor arcade.

Where to stay

The Inn at Death Valley is a historic desert getaway that once attracted Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and Carole Lombard. The charming stone buildings come with patios perfect for stargazing.

3. Denali National Park and Preserve

Alaska

Denali National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to get close to the stars, featuring the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet. However, you don't have to tackle the challenging ascent to appreciate the starry night skies. The sprawling 6-million-acre park is filled with stunning spots for stargazing and viewing the northern lights. Just make sure to visit in the fall, winter, or spring, as the summer months bring long daylight hours (over 20 hours a day) that hinder the experience of true darkness.

Where to stay

This location ranks among the top lodging choices in the state, providing access to one of the park's deepest areas, especially since a rockslide has closed the park road at its midpoint until at least 2027. Visitors can partake in guided daytime hikes while watching for magnificent wildlife like moose and caribou.

4. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Colorado

Elevate your stargazing experience at one of North America's largest sandboxes—this national park boasts the highest dunes on the continent, towering at 750 feet. Nestled against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, these 30 square miles of dunes have a history spanning millions of years, formed when shifting tectonic plates created a valley. Melted ice and snow carried sediments into the valley, creating a lake (known as Lake Alamosa), which began to dry up 440,000 years ago, giving rise to the dunes we see today. For optimal views of the Milky Way, NPS recommends visiting during early morning in spring or evening from mid-summer to autumn. Once you're there, it’s just you and the stars—and perhaps an owl or a camel cricket.

Where to stay

Enjoy a daytime horseback ride across the dunes and stargaze before settling down for the night at the nearby Zapata Ranch, a historic lodge originally built as a ranch homestead. This may be your final chance—the 2024 season will be the last to offer accommodations.

5. Crater Lake National Park

Oregon

This national park transformed from a towering mountain peak to a lake 7,700 years ago following a colossal volcanic eruption. Located on the edge of the Oregon Dark Sky Sanctuary, its elevation of 6,178 feet makes it an ideal location for stargazing. Additionally, the lake's crystal clear waters, which are the deepest in the country, create a stunning reflection of the stars overhead.

Where to stay

Situated between cliffs, the 71-room Crater Lake Lodge offers breathtaking views of the dark sky right above the lake. This lodge serves as a convenient base for daytime adventures, including biking the 33-mile Rim Drive and hiking parts of the Pacific Crest Trail.

6. Acadia National Park

Maine

It’s no wonder that New England’s largest state is home to the biggest area of naturally dark skies east of the Mississippi River. As New England’s sole national park, Acadia offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and limited vehicle access (for a few months each year) to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for summer stargazing—and perhaps even glimpsing the northern lights. The trails along the Atlantic coastline provide plenty of star-studded spots, including Jordan Pond, Seawall, Ocean Path, and Sand Beach.

Where to stay

Experience comfort in a stylish glamping-style canvas tent right by the water at the recently opened Under Canvas Acadia. Located about a 35-minute drive from Acadia National Park and sprawled across 100 acres, this property provides a peaceful retreat away from the crowds, perfect for stargazing.

7. Big Bend National Park

Texas

In Texas, everything is larger—especially the breathtaking night skies at Big Bend National Park. Spanning 800,000 acres, the park features hiking trails that weave through its mountains and desert landscape. Located away from city lights along the “Big Bend” of the Rio Grande, this remote International Dark Sky Park is among the most secluded in the nation.

Where to stay

Relax in a glamping dome or a cave room set into the slopes of Tres Cuevas Mountain at this 1,000-acre desert retreat, known as Summit at Big Bend. Enjoy modern comforts like plush bedding and air conditioning.

8. Canyonlands National Park

Utah

The stunning canyons and buttes surrounding the Colorado River create the perfect scenic canvas for starry nights. Spanning 337,598 acres, Canyonlands offers one of the finest dark sky experiences, with majestic rock formations enhancing the celestial view. For an adventurous road trip, explore nearby Dark Sky Parks like Arches National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Natural Bridges National Monument.

Where to stay

Located within a 40-minute drive of stunning rock formations, canyons, and arches, you'll find the luxury glamping tents at Ulum Moab.

9. Joshua Tree National Park

California

Covering an area slightly larger than Rhode Island, Joshua Tree National Park dazzles with bighorn sheep and a diverse array of bird species that flit through the grasslands and rocky landscapes. For optimal stargazing, venture down Pinto Basin Road and gaze skyward between Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood. Don’t miss the park’s annual Night Sky Festival, hosted at the Sky’s the Limit Nature Center and Observatory, just outside the park’s northern entrance.

Where to stay

Just a 10-minute drive from Joshua Tree National Park, AutoCamp Joshua Tree features upgraded Airstreams and suites with outdoor patios, along with community fire pits, free mountain bikes, a spa and plunge pool, plus a unique new moon sunbath experience with sound therapy for ultimate relaxation.

Bonus: Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monuments

Arizona

Experience stargazing at the original International Dark Sky Place: Flagstaff, Arizona. Recognized as the birthplace of the stargazing movement, this area boasts observatories and astronomy centers. Take a scenic 34-mile loop that connects AutoCamp Joshua Tree, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monuments, all managed by the U.S. National Park Service, showcasing Native American ruins, red rock formations, and the stunning painted desert.

Where to stay

The Bonito Campground derives its name from the Bonito Lava Flow, which covered the area 900 years ago. Located within the Coconino Forest, this campground features 44 sites equipped with tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and flush toilets.

This article was first published in 2023 and was last updated on July 11, 2024, to reflect the most current information.