Top 14 Spectacular Spots for?? Stargazing
Crank up the wonder as we roam through the night, beer in hand, and gawk at the stars with this list of primo celestial viewing spots. Here are 14 killer destinations for stargazing—a perfect mix of far-out landscapes and cosmic vibes. Get ready to have your babushka knocked clean off!
1. Arizona's Sonoran Desert
This badass desert terrain offers a dark sky escape that's pure gold. Behind the bizarro-world sand dunes and Saguaro cacti lies a viewing area used by NASA for testing its satellites. Trippy.
2. Chile's Atacama Desert
The "armpit of the world" boasts a hallowed reign as the driest place on earth, earning itself a spot on the stargazing throne. With Zero humidity and minimal light pollution, it's like stepping into a black hole of cosmic wonder.
3. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia
Africa's top dark sky destination, NamibRand is desolate as all hell, but the sheer brilliance of the night sky makes up for the lack of creature comforts.
4. Wadi Rum, Jordan
Sand, sand, and more sand—sexy, barefoot adventures and resplendent stargazing are only part of the Wadi Rum experience. These awe-inspiring landscapes boast radical rock formations that add to the overall vibe of interstellar madness.
5. Texas's Big Bend National Park
It’s the stargazing capital of Texas for goodness sake! Ok, ok, it's an actual International Dark Sky Park—but let's get real, "stargazing capital" sounds a hell of a lot cooler. Expect the Milky Way to dance for you as planets put on a show you won't soon forget.
6. Idaho's Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
When light pollution fades and the Moon takes a tire-smoking power nap, this remote alpine wonderland reveals its true beauty. Expect jaw-dropping vistas and mesmerizing star clusters.
7. North Carolina's Cape Lookout National Seashore
The seashore's sparse population and remote location ensure a punchcard night sky, perfect for a romantic night with bae or catching up on some Vikings marathons.
8. Ireland's Ballycroy National Park
Serene by day and downright trippy at night, this national park offers a celestial show beneath its veil of darkness. Like Ireland itself, prepare for a bit of a philosophical conversation about the meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything while drinking whiskey out of a flask-shaped leprechaun.
9. Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Take a magical tour through Ireland's most famous highway as it winds through verdant landscapes—then pull over to gawk at the galaxy. Just beware the ghosts of Irish pirates—their heritage is a quirkier pick than a poncho with suspenders and a plastic wiffle ball bat.
10. Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK
Forgo the flat caps and damp fog—opt instead for this lush British buffet of nature, teeming with life and personality. Experience breath-snatching stargazing perfect for practicing your modern-love poetry.
11. Cévennes National Park, France
This park is a sky freak's playground and just a stone's throw from Mont Blanc. For those who fancy medieval villages and historic castles, this destination balances centuries-old charm with a modern cosmic carnival.
12. The Sahara Desert
Imagine hopping into a camel-drawn carriage as you watch the day turn to night, the Sahara temporarily forgotten as galaxies burst into life overhead.
13. Nevada's Great Basin National Park
If you haven't had the chance to see the milky way with your own two eyes, you're missing out on one of life's true blessings. Slip on your silver hippie boots and forget your troubles in this stargazing wonderland teeming with romanticism and thrilling mystery.
14. Namib Desert, Namibia
This desert's ancient landscapes are surreal, offering a glimpse into the past as the present stars put on an immersive light show. Stargazing in Namibia is like blending the Middle Ages, ET, and a Wes Anderson movie set—it's one wild ride.
Get ready to marvel at the night sky in these stargazing hotspots. From Wadi Rum's enchanting vista to Big Bend's Milky Way dance-off, it's going to be one wild and crazy cosmic adventure.
- In between attending astronomy classes and tending to her re-purposed home-and-garden, science enthusiast May finally managed to schedule a trip to the Texas's Big Bend National Park, the stargazing capital of Texas, to catch a sight of planets put on a show she won't soon forget.
- While on a break from her lifestyle blog, travel writer Rose opted for a home-and-garden makeover, but the sheer brilliance of the night sky in NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia, may have overshadowed her latest DIY project, providing a mesmerizing view that made up for her lack of creature comforts.
