5 Dazzling Stargazing Destinations within Driving Distance from Major U.S. Cities

When was the last time you saw a shooting star? Or any star? If you live in a place with light pollution (the artificial light produced by urban areas and general human activities) perhaps it’s been a while. But on a clear, cloudless night, free from the glow of city lights, it can be easy to see stars, planets, constellations, and even the Milky Way — as long as the sky is dark enough.Since 1988, DarkSky (previously known as the International Dark Sky Association) has been on a mission to combat light pollution and preserve the nighttime environment in communities around the world. The Arizona-based non-profit certifies places that adopt responsible lighting practices, and currently counts more than 200 places in the U.S. with the designation, from Oregon to Texas to Maine. So when the sun sets, the night sky can put on a dazzling show.Hit the road this summer to seek out some spectacular stargazing. Below, find five DarkSky destinations, including state parks, national parks, and the first-ever certified resort — all promising an unforgettable night.

260 miles from New York City; 250 miles from Philadelphia

Located within the sprawling and undeveloped Susquehannock State Forest, just south of the New York State border and about 165 miles northwest of Harrisburg, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places for stargazing in the Eastern U.S. Within the 82-acre park, find miles of hiking trails, a picnic grove, and the Astronomy Field, set atop a 2,300-foot elevation for unobstructed views of the night sky.

Thanks to the park’s location, on a clear night it’s possible to see the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy. Novice stargazers can visit for a few hours, while more experienced stargazers can bring their equipment and sleep over at the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field.

256 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada

In 2023, Under Canvas Lake Powell - Grand Staircase, the glamping resort set on a red rock canyon rim plateau in Utah, became the world’s first DarkSky certified lodging property. The outdoor hospitality brand known for its safari-style tent camps — all located near National Parks — has 11 locations, and now five are officially DarkSky-certified. (They’re the desert southwest camps, including Lake Powell-Grand Staircase, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Moab.)

The company partnered with DarkSky International to create guidelines for DarkSky Lodging certification, something Caitlan Cullen, the VP of Development for Under Canvas, says “was an opportunity for us to expand our mindful approach to development to include best practices for preserving quality night skies and give our guests -

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access in a way that both celebrates and educates."

About a four hour drive from Las Vegas, make the property your home base for exploring natural wonders like the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and Horseshoe Bend, and return to the property for a slate of starry activities. There’s full moon hikes, celestial-inspired cocktails, telescopes, and even stargazer tents, so you can fall asleep to a view that’s out of this world.

70 miles from Washington, D.C., 106 miles from Baltimore

A short drive due east of Washington, D.C., Rappahannock County Park feels worlds away from the bright Capital City lights. The 7-acre expanse is also close to Shenandoah National Park, which makes it an easy stop off after a day spent hiking amid the Blue Ridge Mountains. But with its own trails that run along the Rush River, trout fishing, and recreation areas with games like frisbee golf and pickleball, the park is a draw itself.

Check the schedule to time your night visit to one of the Dark Sky events, which are held the night before a New Moon. 

350 miles from Denver, Colorado

Not far from downtown Moab, Arches National Park is one of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks, which also include Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Arches, aptly named for its some 2,000 sandstone rock formations, was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, and is a prime place to take in the stars (and maybe even the rings of Saturn — bring a pair of binoculars to try) from areas like Balanced Rock picnic area, or Panorama Point, a designated night sky viewing area about a half hour by car from Arches visitor’s center.

Make your homebase ULUM Moab, about 30 miles south of the park’s entrance. Opened in the spring of 2023, the all-suite safari-inspired tent camp is part of the Under Canvas brand, with an on-site restaurant, and a trio of outdoor dipping pools from which you can unknot after a day of hiking with a view of the iconic Looking Glass Arch and millions of stars.

122 miles from Phoenix, Arizona; 350 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico

The desert town got its Dark Sky designation in 2014, and nowadays offers an array of distinct destinations, coined the Secret 7, for optimal stargazing. Check out the Fay Canyon trail to catch a glimpse of some shooting stars, or the lesser-known Centennial Trailhead, with paved paths for easier access to spot a sky full of constellations.

Check in to the Enchantment Resort, where the southwestern resort has celestial programming like guided full moon hikes.

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