Best Stargazing Spots To Escape Light Pollution

Light pollution is a growing problem for stargazers, but there are still some places around the world where you can see the night sky in all its glory. From the US to Chile, here are some of the best spots to stargaze without light pollution.

Denali National Park, Alaska

With 6 million acres of land, Denali National Park in Alaska is a great place to go stargazing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears and caribou, as well as Denali, the highest summit in North America. The landscape is unspoiled by light and noise pollution, making it a great place to see stars, planets, and even the aurora borealis (northern lights) in the dark night sky. The best time to visit for stargazing is anytime except summer, when the days are long.

The park's low rainfall, high altitude, and little light pollution make it a popular spot for stargazers. In addition to the night sky, visitors can also enjoy the park's wildlife and natural beauty during the day. The park is also home to a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

For those looking for a more remote stargazing experience, the greater Atacama-Elqui region in northern Chile is another optimal spot. This region's low rainfall, high altitude, and little light pollution make it a great place to see the stars. However, it is important to note that this region is more remote and may be less accessible than Denali National Park.

Another great spot for stargazing in the US is Big Bend in southwest Texas. This massive national park spans over 800,000 acres and has little-to-no light pollution, making it a popular destination for stargazers. As the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, Big Bend offers a unique and remote stargazing experience.

Finally, for those looking for a more well-known national park, the nation's oldest national park spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho offers spectacular stargazing opportunities. With low levels of light pollution and wide-open spaces, this park provides great views of the night sky. The Milky Way is visible between April and October, making these the best months to visit for stargazing.

The Atacama–Elqui region, Chile

Northern Chile's Atacama–Elqui region is an optimal spot for stargazing due to its low rainfall, high altitude, and little light pollution. The region's unspoiled landscape offers exceptional views of the night sky, with stars, planets, and even the aurora borealis (northern lights) visible throughout most of the year.

The Atacama–Elqui region is home to some of the darkest skies in the world, making it a prime location for astronomy enthusiasts and professional observatories alike. The area boasts some of the clearest and most transparent skies on Earth, with minimal atmospheric distortion and an average of over 300 clear nights per year.

One of the best places to stargaze in the Atacama–Elqui region is the Elqui Valley, located about 100 kilometres southeast of the city of La Serena. The valley is known for its dark skies and lack of light pollution, making it an ideal spot to view the Milky Way and other celestial objects. There are also several observatories in the area, including the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the Gemini South Observatory, which offer public tours and stargazing events.

Another great location for stargazing in the Atacama–Elqui region is the Atacama Desert itself. This arid desert is one of the driest places on Earth, with extremely low humidity and clear skies year-round. The desert is home to several astronomical observatories, including the Paranal Observatory and the ALMA radio telescope array, which take advantage of the region's unique atmospheric conditions to study the universe.

For those looking to combine stargazing with a bit of adventure, the region also offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and sandboarding. The Atacama Desert is known for its otherworldly landscapes, including vast sand dunes, salt flats, and volcanic peaks, providing a unique and memorable backdrop for stargazing experiences. Whether you're an amateur astronomer or simply looking to connect with the night sky, the Atacama–Elqui region in Chile offers a truly special stargazing experience.

Big Bend, Texas

Big Bend's vast expanse of desert landscape, dotted with cacti, provides the perfect setting for a night of stargazing. With its remote location and minimal artificial light, visitors can expect a truly dark sky experience. The park's proximity to the Mexican border also adds a unique cultural element to the stargazing experience, as the night sky holds a special significance in many Mexican traditions and folklore.

For those seeking the best vantage points within the park, there are a few key areas to consider. The first is the Rio Grande Village, located in the southeastern part of the park. Here, visitors can enjoy a clear view of the night sky, unobstructed by the surrounding mountains. Another prime location is the Chisos Basin, nestled within the Chisos Mountains. This high-elevation spot offers a panoramic view of the starry sky, with fewer trees and other obstructions.

Additionally, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which winds through the desert landscape, offers numerous pullouts and viewpoints along the way, providing perfect spots to set up a telescope or simply gaze at the stars. The drive is especially stunning at night, with the dark sky reflecting on the Rio Grande, creating a magical atmosphere for stargazers.

For those looking to extend their stargazing experience beyond Big Bend, there are other nearby locations worth considering. The McDonald Observatory, located in the Davis Mountains, offers public viewing nights and educational programs about the night sky. Marfa, a nearby town known for its artistic community, also boasts dark skies and unique art installations that take on a different character under the stars.

Whether it's a quiet night spent gazing at the stars from the comfort of your campsite or a more adventurous exploration of the night sky across the vast desert landscape, Big Bend, Texas, offers a stellar experience for stargazers of all levels. With its remote location, dark skies, and cultural significance, it is a destination that truly celebrates the beauty of the night sky.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

Yellowstone National Park, which spans Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, is a great place to stargaze due to its low levels of light pollution and wide-open spaces. The park's website states that most of its 3,400-plus square miles are free of artificial light. The Milky Way is visible between April and October, making these the best months to visit.

Montana's nickname of Big Sky Country is well-earned. The local skies are famous for their clarity, free of the light pollution that can ruin a stargazing experience. Yellowstone National Park is blessed with these signature clear skies and serves as the perfect place for stargazing.

There are a few spots in particular which offer the most ideal viewing experiences, either because they’re not as crowded, they have high elevation points, or they have unique features that make stargazing simply amazing. Mount Washburn is the most famous mountain in Yellowstone National Park, and several sources confirm that it’s one of the best points from which to view the sky at night. To reach Mount Washburn, start at Wyoming’s Dunraven Pass and simply walk to the top of the mountain, which features an elevation of 10,000 feet (3048 meters). This is one of the best places to stargaze simply because of the brilliant views and high vantage point.

Mammoth Hot Springs and the Upper Geyser Basin are among the most beloved spots in the park for stargazing. Areas with wide-open spaces that receive little vehicular traffic provide the best views. Night-sky programs, often in cooperation with the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, are offered at select times in summer.

If you're looking for other places to stargaze with no light pollution, Big Bend in Texas is recognised as an International Dark Sky Park. It has a massive surface area of over 800,000 acres and little-to-no light pollution. Denali National Park in Alaska is another great option, with unspoiled landscapes and exceptional stargazing.

Rural Tanzania

Tanzania is a country in East Africa, and the rural areas are known for their dark skies and lack of light pollution. The lack of artificial light means that the stars are incredibly bright and clear, and on a moonless night, you can see thousands of stars.

There are several places in Rural Tanzania that are particularly good for stargazing. One option is to head to the Serengeti National Park, which is known for its wide-open spaces and lack of light pollution. The park covers an area of over 5,700 square miles, and most of it is free of artificial light. This makes it an ideal place to see the stars.

Another option is to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is located just outside the Serengeti National Park. This area is known for its unique geology and wide-open skies. The lack of light pollution means that you can see the stars incredibly clearly, and it is a popular place for stargazers and astronomers.

Finally, the Lake Manyara National Park is also a great place to stargaze in Rural Tanzania. This park is known for its diverse landscapes, including grasslands, woodlands, and a soda lake. The lack of light pollution means that the stars are incredibly bright, and you can often see the Milky Way galaxy stretching across the night sky.

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