The Best Spots To Stargaze In The US
Stargazing in your backyard is a thing of the past. With artificial light and city smog polluting the night skies, getting a glimpse of the Milky Way is that much more challenging. For prime views of the Earth’s constellations and exceptionally dark skies that open up a unique window to the universe, discover the best spots to stargaze in the US – from Texas to South Dakota.
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
Park
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Looking east across the vast Grand Canyon – layers of red rock carved by the Colorado River – and you will find millions of stars strewn across the sky. In a place with some of the cleanest air quality in the US, it comes as no surprise that this is a go-to destination for sky-watching. Panoramic views of the Milky Way sweep across the dark night sky, undisturbed by lights of the modern world – best seen from the south rim. Get an up-close-and-personal experience at the weekly Star Programs, or just keep it simple and catch a few shooting stars from one of the viewpoints.
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, USA, +1 928 638 7888
2. Death Valley, California
Death Valley, California
Death Valley is the crowned jewel of stargazing, considered to have one of the nation’s darkest skies. Designated a ‘dark sky park’ in 2013, the park prevents artificial light from polluting the skies situated above its 3.3 million acres of desert, sand dunes, salt flats, badlands, and canyons. But even though its location on the border of California and Nevada is quite remote, the park is threatened by light pollution from nearby Las Vegas, so for the best views, head to the northwest part of the park.
Death Valley National Park, CA, USA, +1 760 786 3200
3. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Park
4. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Park
5. Arches National Park, Utah
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6. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Park
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