Best Stargazing Spots In The USA

The best places in the United States to get a clear view of the Milky Way

By Brian Rayner
JTB Online
Managing Partner

Jan 15, 2023

I am an avid stargazer.

I have been this way ever since I was a young boy.

My grandmother on my mother’s side, was someone near and dear to my heart.

 

She was the sweetest and most loving soul I have ever known. It goes without saying that I was the apple of her eye.

She would always fondly tell anyone with an ear, how her beloved grandson was a huge fan of The Milky Way Galaxy.

 

“I have been someone fascinated by the night sky for as long as I can remember…”

She loved telling folks, “When Brian was knee high to a grasshopper, he would sit in my lap, outside on my front porch.”

Then she would say, “He would always point to the sky and say, ‘Moon and tars ma maw….moon and tars!””

I would normally blush in front of whoever she told that story to.

I have been someone fascinated by the night sky for as long as I can remember. So, I have decided to compile a list of the absolutely best places to stargaze within our borders.

The best places in the USA to get a clear view of the Milky Way in the night sky are typically areas with low light pollution. The following are a few places in the USA that are known for their dark skies and good views of the Milky Way:

Joshua Tree National Park, California: Joshua Tree National Park is located in the southern California desert and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada: Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Big Bend National Park, Texas: Big Bend National Park is located in western Texas and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: Bryce Canyon National Park is located in southern Utah and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona: Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is located in northern Arizona and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania: Cherry Springs State Park is located in North-central Pennsylvania and is known for its dark skies and clear views of the Milky Way.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other places in the USA with dark skies that provide good views of the Milky Way.

When planning a trip to see the Milky Way it’s important to check the weather forecast, and the phase of the moon, as the best time to see the Milky Way is during a new moon, when the sky is darkest.

The last time I went stargazing in Big Bend National Park, my wife and I saw a UFO in the twinkling night desert sky. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.

But that is another blog post for another time….

This opinions expressed by Brian Rayner are independent of those held by JTB Online LLC