Ever wondered what it’s like to step out into the night and be greeted by a blanket of twinkling stars? After sunset, North America’s more remote landscapes light up anew under the mesmerizing glow of starry skies. Get ready to embark on an epic journey as you explore the best places to see stars in the U.S. Pack your bags, grab your camera and get ready to explore the wonders of the night sky with little to no light pollution.
1. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Far away from civilization of any sizable measure, Big Bend National Park is one of the best in the U.S. for stargazing — it has the lowest light pollution you will find in any national park in the lower 48 states. In addition to ranger-guided stargazing programs and moonlight hikes, visitors only need to look up at night to witness the starry show.
Nearby KOAs:
San Angelo KOA Holiday
Kerrville KOA Journey
2. Death Valley National Park, California
Picture yourself surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Mojave Desert in California, with the stars twinkling above like glitter scattered on black velvet. It’s pure magic! Death Valley National Park is a hotspot for stargazing because of its remoteness and clear skies far from city lights.
Nearby KOAs:
Lake Isabella/ Kern River KOA
Las Vegas KOA Journey at Sam’s Town
3. Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Carry on with your celestial journey and marvel at the starry sea of Cape Lookout National Seashore. This park boasts some of the darkest skies on the entire East Coast, making it a star-studded paradise with a peek of the Atlantic Ocean stretched out before you.
Nearby KOAs
New Bern KOA Holiday
4. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Discover Joshua Tree National Park, where the surreal landscapes of the desert collide with the breathtaking beauty of the night sky. The otherworldly silhouettes of Joshua trees aren’t just picture-perfect scenery — they’re the perfect foreground for astrophotography, adding a touch of magic to every shot.
Nearby KOAs
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree KOA Holiday
Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey
Temecula KOA at Vail Lake
Barstow / Calico KOA Holiday
5. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Explore a place where stars and planets illuminate the stunning landscape as far as the eye — or binoculars — can see. In the ambient spring and fall seasons, rangers lead guided stargazing programs, pointing out particular constellations through telescopes.
Nearby KOAs
Moab KOA Holiday
6. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Get ready to dive into the depths of the Earth and soar into the cosmos as you venture to Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky. In addition to being home to the world’s longest-known cave system, it also has exceedingly dark skies.
Nearby KOAs
Horse Cave KOA Holiday
Bowling Green KOA Holiday
7. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Buckle up as you head to the rugged landscapes of the Grand Canyon National Park, where the cosmic wonders of the universe unfold above. The towering cliffs and vibrant rock layers set the stage for an awe-inspiring celestial display.
Nearby KOAs
Grand Canyon / Williams KOA Journey
Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday
Seligman / Route 66 KOA Journey
Flagstaff KOA Holiday
8. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Set within the Susquehannock State Forest, Cherry Springs is the best place to stargaze in the eastern U.S. Choose between the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field with its 360-degree view or the Night Sky Public Viewing Area with its breathtaking amphitheater.
Nearby KOAs
Kinzua East KOA
9. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Come nightfall, the Great Basin National Park transforms into a shimmering landscape that spirals across its century-old bristle cone pines. The vast stretch of dark skies treats you to a kaleidoscope of stars glowing from lightyears away.
Nearby KOAs:
Elko KOA Journey
10. Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, Idaho
Another ideal night sky destination is Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. The rugged lava fields that resemble the lunar surface offer a breathtaking stargazing escapade. Bask in the celestial sphere and marvel at the twinkling stars in the night sky.
Nearby KOA
Craters of the Moon / Arco KOA Journey
11. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a place of stunning red rock formations that have enticed travelers for generations. Amidst the fiery hues of the desert landscape, the night sky unfolds into a celestial spectacle that enchants stargazers and astrophotographers alike. The city is also designated as an International Dark Sky Community, so even within the city limits, you can get an amazing view of the wonders of the night sky.
Nearby KOAs
Grand Canyon / Williams KOA Journey
Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday
Seligman / Route 66 KOA Journey
Flagstaff KOA Holiday
12. Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jasper National Park remains among the darkest and least polluted landscapes in Canada, ensuring the vibe is just as grandiose post-sunset as it is pre-sunset. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival is dedicated to starlit activities.
Nearby KOAs
Hinton / Jasper KOA Journey
13. Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska
Alaska is one of the wildest and least populated states in the U.S., and it typifies the idea of desolation and solitude. In iconic areas like Denali National Park & Preserve, the terrain is so far-flung and so arctic that you can easily marvel at an endless sea of stars — as well as other amazing phenomena like the northern lights.
Nearby KOAs
Fairbanks / Chena River KOA Journey
14. Glacier National Park, Montana
Explore Glacier National Park, a breathtaking wilderness nestled among the majestic mountains of Montana. Under pristine skies and towering peaks, the night comes alive with celestial wonders that will leave you spellbound.
Nearby KOAs
West Glacier KOA Resort
Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday
St. Mary / East Glacier KOA Holiday
Polson / Flathead Lake KOA Holiday
15. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
The Kissimmee Prairie offers some of the darkest skies in the Sunshine State courtesy of its remote, rural setting along the headwaters of the Everglades north of Lake Okeechobee. The vastness of its dry prairie habitat provides an epic stage for the stars to shine once night falls.
Nearby KOAs
Okeechobee KOA Resort
Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday
16. Headlands International Park Dark Sky Park, Michigan
Here’s another stargazing destination in an unforgettable setting: a pristine swath of Lake Michigan shoreline along the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Lake Michigan to Lake Huron and separating Upper and Lower Michigan. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Headlands provides fabulous year-round viewing of stars, planets, galaxies and meteor showers.
Nearby KOAs
Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA Journey
17. Southern Utah
A whole plethora of International Dark Sky Association-recognized sites is scattered — like a constellation, you might say — across the unbelievably gorgeous plateaus, canyonlands and slickrock deserts of Southern Utah. It’s not a stretch to say that only a few places in the world offer the same combination of glorious landscape and pure night sky magic as Southern Utah.
Nearby KOAs
Beaver KOA Journey
Moab KOA Holiday.
Stargaze at Your Favorite KOA Campground
You’re in for a treat with a rich lineup of KOA Campgrounds to choose from for your next stargazing adventure. Find a campground today near some of the best places to stargaze.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
