There’s something truly magical about spending a night under a canopy of stars, away from the city lights and surrounded by the sounds of nature. For many campers, the opportunity to gaze at a sky full of shimmering constellations is one of the biggest draws of heading out into the wilderness. Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or simply love the beauty of a clear night sky, finding the perfect campsite for stargazing can take your camping experience to the next level. Here are some of the best campsites across the world where you can pitch your tent and witness the breathtaking wonder of the night sky.
1. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs State Park is considered one of the best stargazing destinations on the East Coast of the United States. Designated as a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park, Cherry Springs is known for its exceptionally dark skies, making it a prime location for viewing the Milky Way, meteor showers, and even distant galaxies. The park’s Astronomy Field is specifically designed for stargazers, offering flat, open spaces and unobstructed views of the night sky.
The camping facilities at Cherry Springs are well-suited for both beginner and experienced campers. The park has rustic campsites available for tent camping, and you can enjoy the serenity of the surrounding forest during the day before turning your attention skyward at night. Cherry Springs’ remote location, away from urban areas, ensures minimal light pollution, providing an awe-inspiring stargazing experience.
2. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote and least visited national parks in the United States, making it an ideal location for stargazing. Located in West Texas along the Mexican border, Big Bend is known for its vast desert landscapes, rugged mountains, and some of the darkest skies in North America. The park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, and its remote location means there’s almost no light pollution to interfere with your view of the stars.
Camping at Big Bend offers a variety of options, from developed campgrounds like Chisos Basin to primitive backcountry sites that offer a true wilderness experience. As the sun sets, the desert transforms into a dark canvas, perfect for observing the stars. The clarity of the sky at Big Bend is unparalleled, and on a clear night, you can easily see the Milky Way stretching across the horizon, as well as countless constellations and planets.
3. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its otherworldly landscapes, characterized by twisted Joshua trees, massive boulder formations, and wide-open desert skies. The park’s remote location and arid climate make it one of the best places for stargazing in Southern California. The lack of humidity and minimal light pollution provide crystal-clear views of the night sky, making Joshua Tree a favorite destination for both campers and astronomers.
There are several campgrounds within the park, including Hidden Valley, Jumbo Rocks, and Ryan Campground, each offering a unique desert setting for stargazing. Set up your tent among the park’s iconic rock formations, and as night falls, watch the stars emerge in dazzling numbers. Whether you’re looking for a quiet night under the stars or hoping to capture some incredible astrophotography, Joshua Tree is a stargazer’s dream.
4. Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and offers some of the most dramatic desert scenery in the United States. In addition to its stunning rock formations, Arches is also known for its dark skies, making it a fantastic destination for stargazing. The park’s remote location in southeastern Utah, far from major cities, provides a perfect setting for observing the stars without any interference from artificial light.
The Devils Garden Campground is the only campground within Arches National Park, and it offers a truly unique setting for a night of stargazing. The striking arches and rock formations make for a beautiful foreground as you watch the stars fill the sky. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way in all its glory, as well as countless constellations and even the occasional shooting star. The combination of stunning geology and dark skies makes Arches an unforgettable destination for stargazing enthusiasts.
5. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Jasper National Park, located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is not only a place of stunning natural beauty but also an ideal destination for stargazing. Jasper is designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and it hosts an annual Dark Sky Festival that draws visitors from around the world. The park’s remote location, surrounded by towering mountains and vast wilderness, offers a perfect environment for observing the night sky.
The park’s campgrounds, such as Wapiti and Whistlers, provide excellent spots to pitch your tent and enjoy the stars. On clear nights, the sky above Jasper comes alive with the shimmering light of countless stars, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Whether you’re camping along the shores of a glacial lake or nestled deep in the forest, Jasper’s dark skies and natural beauty make it a top choice for stargazing campers.
6. Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand
Aoraki Mackenzie in New Zealand is one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere for stargazing. Designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve, the region includes Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, both known for their breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear night skies. The combination of low humidity, high elevation, and minimal light pollution makes Aoraki Mackenzie an ideal spot for viewing the southern constellations.
There are several campgrounds within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, including the White Horse Hill Campground, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains during the day and incredible stargazing opportunities at night. The Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds, and the Milky Way are all visible here, creating a mesmerizing experience for stargazers of all levels.
7. Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Death Valley National Park, which straddles California and Nevada, is known for its extreme landscapes and some of the darkest skies in the United States. As the largest national park in the contiguous United States, Death Valley offers vast stretches of wilderness far from the glow of city lights, making it an ideal location for stargazing. The park’s high mountain ranges and low desert basins create a striking contrast, and at night, the sky comes alive with countless stars.
There are several campgrounds within Death Valley, such as Furnace Creek and Mesquite Spring, which provide excellent spots for stargazing. The park’s remote location means that, on a clear night, you can see the Milky Way stretching across the sky, along with a myriad of other celestial wonders. The stark beauty of the desert landscape combined with the brilliance of the stars makes Death Valley a truly unique destination for stargazing campers.
8. Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the best places in the world for stargazing due to its high elevation, low light pollution, and stable atmosphere. The summit of Mauna Kea is home to some of the world’s most advanced observatories, but you don’t need to be an astronomer to enjoy the incredible views of the night sky. There are designated stargazing areas along the Mauna Kea Access Road where visitors can set up camp and enjoy the stars.
Camping at Mauna Kea offers a unique stargazing experience, as the high elevation provides unparalleled views of the night sky. The clarity of the stars, along with the opportunity to see constellations from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, makes Mauna Kea a must-visit destination for stargazing enthusiasts. Be sure to dress warmly, as temperatures can drop significantly at high altitudes, even in Hawaii.
9. Namib Desert, Namibia
The Namib Desert in Namibia is one of the oldest deserts in the world and offers some of the clearest night skies on the planet. The desert’s remote location, combined with its lack of light pollution, makes it an ideal destination for stargazing. The NamibRand Nature Reserve, which is part of the Namib Desert, is designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve, and it offers a truly unique stargazing experience.
Camping in the Namib Desert is an unforgettable adventure, with the vast, open landscape providing the perfect backdrop for observing the stars. The southern constellations, the Milky Way, and even distant galaxies are visible here, creating a breathtaking celestial display. The silence of the desert, coupled with the beauty of the night sky, makes camping in the Namib an experience that will stay with you forever.
10. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unique geological formations called hoodoos, which create a surreal landscape that is even more magical at night. The park is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, making it an excellent destination for stargazing. The high elevation and clear desert air provide optimal conditions for observing the stars, planets, and even the Andromeda Galaxy.
The North Campground and Sunset Campground offer convenient access to some of the park’s best stargazing spots. Rangers also lead stargazing programs, which provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the night sky while observing through telescopes. Whether you’re camping among the hoodoos or taking part in a ranger-led program, Bryce Canyon offers an incredible stargazing experience that will leave you in awe of the universe.
