America’s Top 5 Campgrounds for Stargazing

America has no shortage of epic national parks and campgrounds that deliver daytime adventures and nighttime spectaculars. Although you don’t need perfectly dark skies to observe the universe with Unistellar, a dark sky location will allow you to view even more of deep space, in extremely rich color and detail. Below are Unistellar’s Top 5 campgrounds in America for stargazing, with unique daytime activities to pair with the dark skies of your dreams.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the world’s newest and largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary. This special area is located in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. It is over 1 million acres in size and is a mixture of glacial lakes, streams, rocky cliffs, towering rock formations, sandy beaches, and forests. You’ll find 2,000 designated campsites and 12 hiking trails within its boundaries.

The Boundary Waters also contain over 1,200 miles of canoe routes over more than 1,000 lakes, rivers and streams linked by trails called “portages.” Establish a base camp to limit the amount of gear you carry over portanges, and take day trips from there.

Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) is a 3.5-acre site in the Gila National Forest of western New Mexico. CCIDSS offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky, as if you’ve entered nature’s very own IMAX theater. CCIDSS is a primitive campground with minimal site amenities including an information kiosk, a pit toilet, and four concrete telescope/observation pads. For even more spectacular stargazing sites, drive southeast to White Sands National Monument.

During the day, explore the splendor of the Gila Wilderness on horseback. The lack of restrictions on horseback riding access allows riders to truly experience the vastness of the Gila. From the banks of a cool stream, to an Alpine ridge to a high mountain meadow, let your horse be the guide to the great outdoors.

During the day, explore the splendor of the Gila Wilderness on horseback. The lack of restrictions on horseback riding access allows riders to truly experience the vastness of the Gila. From the banks of a cool stream, to an Alpine ridge to a high mountain meadow, let your horse be the guide to the great outdoors.

Great Basin National Park is massive, covering much of Nevada, Oregon and Utah, as well as parts of California, Idaho and Wyoming. Almost anywhere in the park will provide you with beautiful views of the night sky. Mather Overlook on the scenic drive is an excellent spot. For lower elevations, try the Baker Archaeological Site near the town of Baker. Four of the park’s six campgrounds can be reserved during peak season (roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Outside of the reservation period, they operate as first-come-first-served campgrounds, as seasons permit.

During the day, fish for a trout dinner in Lehman Creek and Snake Creek (these are the only streams in Great Basin National Park that can be fished for consumption, although other streams allow recreational fishing). In Lehman Creek, you’ll find high densities of brook and brown trout, with a few rainbow trout scattered throughout. Native Bonneville cutthroat trout were reintroduced into Snake Creek in September of 2019.  

Named for the large stands of black cherry trees originally found in the area, Cherry Springs State Park represents 82-acres, surrounded by the 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. Cherry Springs boasts exceptionally dark skies and a wide variety of educational programs to explain astronomy, as well as accommodations for overnight stargazing. The Susquehannock Trail passes nearby and offers 85 miles of backpacking and hiking. 

Venture to Cherry Springs in August for the annual Woodsmen Show, and see the top lumberjacks in the country compete in events like cross cut saw, springboard, axe throwing and tree felling. You can also enjoy chainsaw artists creating works of art, historical re-enactments, hearty meals and traditional music.

Wish you could see the stars of the Southern Hemisphere without spending big bucks on travel? Big Pine Key at Bahia Honda State Park is the only place in the continental U.S. where you can glimpse stars usually only seen by those living closer to the equator, including the Southern Cross constellation. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, there are few inhabitants and low light pollution, making it a prime stargazing destination. 

Unlike the other locations on our list, you won’t be faced with chilly nighttime observations. The Florida Keys are hot and humid, allowing you to savor the beach lifestyle while you stargaze in tank tops and shorts. Bahia Honda features camping, cabins, two boat ramps, a certified “Clean Marina,” and a concession and gift shop. Popular daytime activities include snorkeling, swimming, and fishing.