Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
From Old State Rd, turn onto Juniper Hill Rd. Continue for just over 1 mile to the campground entrance on the left.
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There’s really nothing quite like staring up at a vast, star-filled sky after a day of camping. Away from city lights, places like KOA campgrounds provide the perfect setting for a stargazing experience.
Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, learning to identify constellations is a great way to connect with the night sky and spend more quality time with the world around you. Here’s how.
You don’t need a telescope to enjoy stargazing as I first feared I might. The good news is that many constellations are easy to spot with the naked eye! Here are a few of the most recognizable ones in North America:
One of the most famous star formations, the Big Dipper is easy to find and can help you locate other constellations. Look for seven bright stars forming a ladle shape in the northern sky. The two stars at the edge of the “bowl” (Dubhe and Merak) point directly to Polaris, the North Star.
Visible in the winter and early spring in the Northern Hemisphere, Orion is one of the easiest constellations to recognize. Look for three bright stars in a row—these make up Orion’s Belt. Two stars above the belt (Betelgeuse and Bellatrix) mark Orion’s shoulders, while two below (Rigel and Saiph) represent his feet.
Shaped like a giant “W” or “M” in the northern sky, Cassiopeia is visible year-round. Use this constellation as a great guidepost for other celestial wonders, including the Andromeda Galaxy. The deeper of the two “V” shapes that form Cassiopeia is the star Schedar. If you use this star as an arrow, it will point you to the Andromeda Galaxy.
Best seen in the summer, Cygnus is shaped like a cross with its brightest star, Deneb, marking the tail. It appears to be flying through the Milky Way, making it a stunning sight against the night sky.
If you’re camping in the spring in the Northern Hemisphere, look for a backward question mark—this is Leo’s head. The bright star at the base of the question mark, Regulus, is one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
Choose a dark location. Campgrounds that are away from city lights provide great conditions for stargazing.
Let your eyes adjust. It takes about 20–30 minutes for your eyes to fully adapt to the dark. Avoid bright screens or flashlights.
Use a red light. If you need light, use a flashlight with a red filter to preserve your night vision.
Check the weather. A clear, moonless night will provide the best visibility for stargazing.
If you’re new to stargazing, technology can help you navigate the night sky. These apps make it easy to identify constellations and planets:
Star Walk 2 (iOS, Android) – Point your phone at the sky, and this app will label constellations, planets, and satellites in real-time.
SkyView (iOS, Android) – A great augmented reality (AR) app that overlays constellation names on your screen as you move your phone.
Stellarium (iOS, Android, Desktop) – A detailed astronomy app that shows constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects.
NASA App (iOS, Android) – Provides updates on celestial events, including meteor showers and eclipses.
Away from city lights, Sterling/Lake Ontario KOA Holiday is the perfect spot to enjoy the night skies! Happy stargazing!
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
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