If you're going stargazing in the USA, American National Parks offer some of the darkest skies under which to get fantastic views of the cosmos.
Whether you're observing deep-sky objects with a telescope, or capturing the night sky with a spot of astrophotography, or observing naked-eye sights such as meteor showers and conjunctions, the darkness afforded by these expansive sites far from light pollution makes National Parks a great option.
Here are 10 American National Parks – most but not all official Dark Sky Parks – that are free from urban light pollution, and which offer some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the world for stargazing.
If you want to bring your telescope with you, you'll need something compact and portable. Read our guide to the best travel telescopes for astronomy.
For more general advice, read our guide on how to stargaze.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
The first Dark Sky Park is a favourite of astrophotographers who like to image the Milky Way streaming through the famous Owachomo Bridge.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona
Not to be confused with Grand Canyon National Park, this Dark Sky Park is one of the most remote in the US. It spans 1.05 million acres, in the region north of the Colorado River.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/para/learn/nature/lightscape.htm
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches is another iconic location for astrophotographers – not to mention a designated Dark Sky Park where ‘night-sky rangers’ give regular talks and lead stargazing sessions. Head to the Delicate Arch viewpoint for a great panoramic.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Designated in 2015, this Dark Sky Park in southeast Utah now has almost 100% night sky-friendly lighting. Island in the Sky is a great vantage point where a regular night-sky rangers programme in summer is followed by stargazing and telescope viewing.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
This Dark Sky Park offers evening night-sky programmes that include constellations of the native Chacoan people, as well as telescope viewing at Chaco Observatory and two annual star parties. Drive three hours south and you can tour the Very Large Array facility.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/nightsky.htm
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Utah has some of the best National Parks for stargazing in the USA, and Bryce Canyon is one of its most famous.
Bryce has a long tradition of night-sky education, with 100 astronomy lectures per year held at the visitor centre, followed by guided telescope observing in the car park. A star party is held each June.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/thingstodo/stargazing-at-bryce-canyon.htm
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah
This stunning geologic amphitheatre hosts an award-winning summer star party at Point Supreme each Saturday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day (the last Monday in May and the first Monday in September). The 3,000m altitude really helps clarity. Stay in Brian Head or nearby Cedar City.
For more info, visit www.nps.gov/cebr/planyourvisit/experience-dark-night-skies.htm
The Headlands, Michigan
This Dark Sky Park, an area of undeveloped land along Lake Michigan, is best visited in conjunction with nearby, car-less Mackinac Island. There’s no camping here, but there is a dedicated dark sky viewing area on the shoreline.
For more info, visit www.midarkskypark.org
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
An hour from Arches, Dead Horse Point offers fantastic views from above a gooseneck in the Colorado River.
The campgrounds are excellent, and night-sky rangers also run a programme of stargazing talks and events.
For more info, visit stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/night-sky
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
One of the few Dark Sky Parks in the eastern US, but still one of the best National Parks for stargazing, Cherry Springs has its own night-sky viewing area located north of Route 44.
Stargazing benches are provided, as well as a summer sky map backlit in red light. Two major star parties are hosted each year.
For more info, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CherrySpringsStatePark/Pages/Stargazing.aspx
What are your favourite places to stargaze in the USA? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
