Slip into the Splendor of Stargazing the Dark Skies

The night is dark. Darker than you ever remember. As you step out of your RV, you notice how still the air is. Steaming mug in hand, you take a deep breath and then… look up. The Milky Way stretches across the sky, a sparkling ribbon of light. The night sky feels alive. Endless. And humbling. This, my friend, is what it’s like for those brave souls who wander through the night, stargazing in the Dark Skies across the country.

What do we mean by Dark Skies? These are protected places around the country (and around the world) where the night still appears as it did hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Thanks to the passionate astronomers and conservationists involved in the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), specific areas have been designated since the late 1980s to protect against the harsh glow of light pollution. That means we can see the stars sparkling more brightly—you may even see the Milky Way with the naked eye.

These starlit sanctuaries span deserts, forests, mountains, and prairies across the U.S., inviting RVers to park, pause, and gaze upward. To trade the buzz of cities and busy campgrounds for the remote quiet of the cosmos. (A trade-off that’s well worth it!)

Why Protecting the Dark Matters

It’s not just about stargazing. Dark skies help protect wildlife, which depend on natural darkness for migration, feeding, and rest. Darkness is also vital for safeguarding human health as artificial light can disrupt our circadian rhythms, affecting everything from sleep quality to hormone balance.

Yet perhaps most importantly, access to the Dark Skies preserves something deeply personal and human: our sense of wonder. When sitting outside your rig, miles from the nearest traffic jam—or even streetlamp—you can see how much we’ve lost to the glow of cities—and how important it is to rediscover.

How to Make the Most of Your Dark Sky Stargazing Escape

Okay, admittedly, the stars do all of the real work. But a little planning can make your stargazing experience go from “that’s cool” to “OMG!” And you don’t need to be an astronomer to appreciate the constellations. You can even use your imagination to draw your own.

To set yourself up for the best night under the canopy of darkness:  

1. Time it Right: The best stargazing happens when the moon is new (or as close to it as you can manage). It should come as no surprise that moonlight easily overcomes the fainter stars. Check an online moon calendar before you book your campsite to take advantage of new moon phases.

In addition, when you go can also make a difference. Fall through early spring typically offers the clearest skies and crispest nights—especially in the desert and mountain regions where humidity can drop, making the air crystal clear for minimal interference. Not that you can’t get in some great stargazing during the summer months. You may just need to reach higher elevations to escape the haze—and stay up a bit later for full darkness.

2. Turn the Lights Down Low (or Off): Light pollution is notorious around the cities, but it can also come from the campground—including your own RV. Many Dark Sky areas have guidelines to help you and your fellow campers make the most of the darkness available.

That starts with turning off any exterior lights, closing blinds if you have interior lights on, and resisting the urge to check your phone or other devices. Even scrolling for a minute or so can compromise your night vision.

If you need a flashlight to reach a more remote location to really take in the show, switching to one with a red filter or lens can help you navigate without blinding your eyes to the stars above. And give your eyes a good 20 to 30 minutes to fully adjust to the dark. You’ll be able to enjoy so many more stars; you’ll be astonished.

3. Get Cozy: It’s best to really relax as you gaze at the stars. And that means you’ll want to bring along some gear made for comfort, such as:

• A camp chair, preferably one that lounges back, or a nice mat or blanket to lie back fully
• Blankets or sleeping bags, hats, and gloves (especially if the weather is cooling) to stay warm.
• A thermos of cocoa, cider, or perhaps some mulled wine for something warm to sip as you scan the sky.
• A portable telescope or binoculars to look farther into the dark skies—you may see nebulae, star clusters, and even Saturn’s rings!
• If your goal is to identify constellations and planets, apps like Sky Guide, Star Walk 2 Plus, or Night Sky can be downloaded and viewed offline, but simple printed star charts also help you map out the night sky.

4. Keep it Quiet: Dark Sky parks aren’t just visually stunning; they are some of the most peaceful places on earth. Skip the Bluetooth speaker and outdoor movie projector and let the coyotes, crickets, spring peepers, and perhaps occasional owl hoots set the soundtrack for this reverent experience.

Dark Skies throughout the U.S.

America’s Dark Sky destinations can be found in deserts, mountains, or quiet stretches of prairie. Here’s where to park before the night show begins:

The West

The Western Skies are home to some of the darkest and most dramatic skies around. They’re also typically located at higher elevations, so be prepared for some cooler weather, even in the summer months.

• Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument, Arizona: This rugged and roadless area is one of the last truly remote regions. On the edge of the Grand Canyon, you’ll find no paved roads, no cell signal, and absolutely no light pollution. If you plan on staying a while, bring your boondocking setup and be prepared to be amazed by how many stars can actually be seen without interference.

^{Photo by Pixabay}

• Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada: Despite the name, Death Valley is teaming with life—especially after dark. Recognized as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, it’s also one of the best places in the world for stargazing as well as astrophotography. Furnace Creek and Mesquite Spring are two possible places to camp and take in wide-open skies with surreal silhouettes of the surrounding peaks.

^{Photo by Stephen Leonardi}

• Joshua Tree National Park, California: This dry air, high-elevation desert is designed for spotting constellations or, if you’re really lucky, settling in for a meteor shower. Designated a Dark Sky, it’s still close enough to civilization to rejoin society for brunch the next day.

^{Photo by Jon Mangold}

• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: Known for its otherworldly rock formations, Bryce is also home to some of the darkest skies in North America. If you visit during the high season, you can catch one of the park’s astronomy programs at North Campground, where you’ll find knowledgeable rangers who are passionate about the night sky.

^{Photo by Ken Cheung}

Northwest & Rockies

From high peaks and volcanic plains, the skies almost feel like you can reach up and touch them.  Remember, nights can get downright cold fast in the Rockies. Make sure you have an extra blanket or even a sleeping bag to keep warm and prolong your stargazing adventures.

• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho: As its name suggests, this lunar-like landscape already makes you feel like you’re in an otherworldly landscape. As the sun sets, the glittering night sky and pitch-black lava fields compound the feeling.
  
  
• Great Sands Dunes National Park, Colorado: Another otherworldly reality, the dunes invite you to play during the day and stargaze by night. Set up at Pinon Flats Campground to watch the constellations slowly rotate over the mountains. (Just be aware that there are no hookups.)

^{Photo by Sergey Guk}

• Glacier National Park, Montana: High altitudes with peaks that seem to scrape the sky, combined with crisp air, create clear nights perfect for stargazing. Apgar or Many Glacier campgrounds provide easy access to the night skies, offering breathtaking views and astounding wildlife, day and night.

^{Photo by Emma Swoboda on Unsplash}

The Midwest

Don’t underestimate the star power of the Midwest. Between the Great Lakes and rolling prairies, the Midwest offers surprisingly pristine skies—and often easy RV access. Plus, when you’re not stargazing at night, these parks often provide lakefront getaways.

• Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan: Along the shores of Lake Michigan, near Mackinaw City, this park is a midwestern gem. Because it faces north, it’s also a great place to catch the Northern Lights on clear nights. Trails are open 24/7 for clear views, but there’s no camping, so you’ll need to plan where you’ll spend the night after the show.

• Driftless Area, Wisconsin: Boasting steep hills, river valleys, and millions of visible stars far from the big glow of city life, this pocket in Wisconsin provides a “middle of nowhere” feeling that so many of us RVers crave.

• Geauga Observatory Park, Ohio: Observatories that are open to the public are few and far between. If you really want to see the night skies up close and personal, the telescopes located in this park make it possible. All you need to bring is your curiosity and perhaps a thermos of something warm to sip.

^{Photo by Mary Hinton on Unsplash}

The South and Southeast

With its warmer nights and wide-open spaces, the South is made for slow evenings under the stars—especially in the fall and winter when the Dark Skies farther north can become uncomfortably cold and icy for some RVers.

• Big Bend National Park, Texas: With over 800,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness and virtually no light pollution, this park offers some of the darkest skies in the U.S.

^{Photo by Joshua Case on Unsplash}

• Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida: Florida’s only officially designated Dark Sky Park is surrounded by vast grasslands and a panoramic view of the night sky. It even has designated astronomy campsites with rules to ensure nighttime visibility.

^{Photo by Sid Dalal}

• Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia: Located in the middle of a swamp—specifically the Okefenokee swamp—there’s little light pollution, allowing visitors to enjoy some of the darkest skies in this region. Just watch for alligators and other wildlife. 😉

The Northeast

Rugged coastlines, forested hills, and deep natural beauty nearly everywhere you look, the Northeast isn’t just for fall colors. It’s also a haven for celestial seekers like us. Fall and early winter not only offer the most colorful foliage; they also bring the clearest skies. Be prepared, though, for chilly nights.

• Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania: This park is a top destination for serious East Coast astronomers due to its 360-degree unobstructed view of the night sky.

^{Photo by Seytu Naltis on Unsplash}

• Acadia National Park, Maine: By day, Acadia is known for crashing waves and coastal hikes. Once the sun goes down, though, it becomes one of the best stargazing spots in New England.

^{Photo by Raphael Assouline on Unsplash}

• Aroostook County, Maine: With few people and even fewer streetlights, this part of northern Maine is another place to enjoy light-free exploration and a chance to see the Northern Lights.

^{Photo by Mike Lewinski on Unsplash}

The Magic of Night Skies

Standing outside and looking at the magnificence of nature always reminds me of how lucky I am. Lucky to be surrounded by nature with the most amazing light shows available. And lucky enough to take that show on the road and still enjoy the comforts of home from my RV.

Even if this season’s travels don’t bring you to a designated Dark Sky, it’s worth stepping out of your rig, turning off the lights, and looking up as the calm and quiet settle in. For me, the best kind of nightlife isn’t surrounded by neon signs and city cacophony; it comes from the dark skies above and nature’s soothing soundtrack.