Where to Stargaze This Fall: 7 U.S. Parks You’ll Fall in Love With

Want to experience stargazing? It might be time to head to a national park.

Located away from major urban areas, these places boast unspoiled dark skies and special programs designed to help visitors enjoy them, and offer education about stars and galaxies.

According to statistics, 80 percent of Americans no longer can see the clear dark sky, as light pollution becomes more common because of rapid urbanization in many states.

All parks on the list are certified International Dark Sky Parks, designated by the International Dark Sky Association because of their clear starry skies and the efforts to protect them.

These areas lack crowds and urbanization, making them ideal for enjoying the outdoors during the day and stargazing at night. If you want to enjoy hikes, scenic vistas, and camping by day and admire the clear dark sky at night, keep reading.

1. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Great Basin is one of the least visited national parks in the United States thanks to its location in rural Nevada.

Located 4.5 hours from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, this remote national park had just over 143,000 visitors in 2023, a tiny number compared to crowded national parks like Zion and Yosemite, which see millions of tourists annually.

The national park has been designated an “International Dark Sky Place” by the International Dark Sky Association due to its spectacular starry skies, free from light pollution due to its remote location. 

There are a few other things that make Great Basin a special place.

This national park is home to bristlecone pine trees, a rare species that only grows in Nevada, Utah, and California. At 5,000 years old, these trees are believed to be the oldest organisms on the planet. 

Great Basin also boasts 13,065-foot Wheeler Peak, the second-highest mountain in Nevada, second to only Boundary Peak.

Finally, if you want to enjoy stargazing, there’s no better place than Great Basin. Lehman Caves, located within the park, features intricate stalactites, stalagmites formed over 550 million years ago. 

2. Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands is the least crowded national park in Utah, outside of Moab, a small town that’s been dubbed the “capital of adventure,” because of its recreational opportunities.

Canyonlands saw 800,322 visitors in 2023 – a small number, especially considering the size of this national park, which is 337,598 acres. 

The national park is home to stunning canyons and some of the most scenic hikes in the Southwest. It’s divided into four sections, Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Rivers, and the Maze. The most remote part of the park, the Maze, is the most difficult to access and requires superb navigation skills and a 4X4 vehicle.

If you can make it to this area, you will be rewarded with an opportunity to admire the Milky Way and nearby constellations.

But regardless of what part of the park you decide to visit, Canyonlands is an incredible place for stargazing. Canyonlands is a designated Dark Sky Park, and you can see many stars with the naked eye.

The Island in the Sky and Needles districts have ranger-led night sky programs that use telescopes and other equipment to help you see the stars.

3. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is the least visited national park in Colorado. Located near Montrose and Gunnison in Western Colorado, Black Canyon is known for its dramatic cliffs and narrow grove carved by the Gunnison River. 

The park is divided into two parts: the South Rim and the North Rim, which is more remote, and has fewer people. Summer is the best time to visit, because of warmer temperatures and stargazing programs led by park rangers designed to provide visitors with a better experience and see the unobstructed dark sky. 

4. Death Valley National Park, California  

Death Valley covers over 3.4 million acres, making it the largest national park in the contiguous United States.

Over 93 percent of the park is designated as protected wilderness, and with Las Vegas over two hours away, the area lacks light pollution, allowing visitors to get a clear view of the Milky. 

The park is designated as a “Gold Tier” Dark Sky Park, the highest level, because of its efforts to minimize light pollution. It’s also known as one of the best places for stargazing in the United States. 

It’s also the driest and hottest place in the United States, about 190 feet below sea level, which set a record in 1913 when temperatures reached 134 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Besides a number of superlatives, Death Valley is known for its otherworldly landscapes. The park is home to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point, Bad Water Basin, and Harmony Borax Works, from where you can admire the bright sky.

5. Saguaro National Park, Arizona 

Saguaro National Park is located in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and is home to the incredible saguaro cactus, one of the tallest in the world.

The average lifespan of a saguaro cactus is 150 years, and the entire park is dotted with dozens of saguaros, which create a dramatic landscape against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. 

But it’s not the only thing that makes this national park special. 

Located near Tucson, Saguaro was designated as an Urban Night Sky Park in 2023. While the park is near the city, its leadership strives to reduce light pollution and adequately manage lighting fixtures within the area. 

The park offers programs and initiatives to educate visitors about the night skies, including ranger-led hikes, stargazing events, and presentations. 

6. Glacier National Park, Montana

Located in northwest Montana, Glacier National Park is a prime spot for enjoying clear dark skies. 

Although the park is more known for its glaciers, incredible alpine lakes, and super hikes, it’s also home to some of the darkest skies in the world.

When the night falls, visitors can witness stunning displays of stars in a clear dark sky, in places like St. Mary’s Lake, and Logan Pass, but you can enjoy dark skies just about anywhere in the park. 

The park also organizes stargazing events at Apgar Visitor Center during summer, and you can find the largest telescope in Montana in the Dusty Star Observatory at St. Mary Visitor Center. 

In September 2024, the park held its first Astronomy Week, during which it welcomed NASA scientists who shared their knowledge with the audience.

7. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Besides offering a glimpse at the Chihuahua desert, Big Bend also has the least light pollution of all national parks in the lower 48 states. Although it’s often passed up for more popular national parks when it comes to stargazing, it’s not to be missed. 

At this national park, you can spot the Milky Way, meteor showers, and the night sky and take photos. Located along the Mexican border, this park is uncrowded and full of incredible scenery, including deserts, mountains, and unique geologic formations. 

The park often organizes events, moonlight walks, and programs designed to offer education and help its visitors understand how the night sky works and why it’s becoming increasingly important to protect. 

You can also spend the night in the park’s Stargazing Domes, right in the middle of the desert. Summer is the best time for stargazing at Big Bend, because of cooler nights and hot days, which help to keep tourist crowds at bay, and offer a more pleasant experience.