National parks with stargazing
Bright dots offer stargazing. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Quietest picks for stargazing
- 1Lake Clark National Park & Preserve19,778 visits
- 2Isle Royale National Park29,091 visits
- 3Dry Tortugas National Park89,355 visits
By 2025 recreation visits (NPS).
Most parks for stargazing
- California 6
- Utah 5
- Colorado 4
- Arizona 3
- Alaska 2
- Florida 2
- Nevada 2
- Washington 2
38 parks
Where to go for stargazing
Photo: NPS Photo by Kent MillerAcadia National Park
Maine
4,079,318 visits in 2025Quietest: February$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoArches National Park
Utah
1,511,740 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPSBig Bend National Park
Texas
568,104 visits in 2025Quietest: August$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/LynchBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado
250,086 visits in 2025Quietest: February$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Peter DensmoreBryce Canyon National Park
Utah
1,967,367 visits in 2025Quietest: January$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/Rhodes SmarttCanyonlands National Park
Utah
796,057 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoCapitol Reef National Park
Utah
1,388,476 visits in 2025Quietest: January$20 / vehicle
Photo: NPS / Michael LarsonCarlsbad Caverns National Park
New Mexico
410,778 visits in 2025Quietest: January$15 / person
Photo: NPS/Brett SeymourChannel Islands National Park
California
227,186 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS PhotoCrater Lake National Park
Oregon
632,242 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPSDeath Valley National Park
California, Nevada
1,320,134 visits in 2025Quietest: September$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Nathan KostegianDenali National Park & Preserve
Alaska
543,300 visits in 2025Quietest: January$15 / person
Photo: NPS Photo / Brett SeymourDry Tortugas National Park
Florida
89,355 visits in 2025Quietest: October$15 / person
Photo: NPS Photo by Miguel SalasEverglades National Park
Florida
778,198 visits in 2025Quietest: October$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/Sue FordGateway Arch National Park
Missouri
2,209,028 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS/M. QuinnGrand Canyon National Park
Arizona
4,430,653 visits in 2025Quietest: January$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoGreat Basin National Park
Nevada
161,210 visits in 2025Quietest: DecemberFree entry
Photo: NPS/Patrick MyersGreat Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Colorado
432,498 visits in 2025Quietest: January$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS / Bob CarrGreat Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina, Tennessee
11,527,939 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS PhotoIndiana Dunes National Park
Indiana
2,629,497 visits in 2025Quietest: January$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Paul BrownIsle Royale National Park
Michigan
29,091 visits in 2025Quietest: January$7 / person
Photo: NPS / Emily HassellJoshua Tree National Park
California
2,932,644 visits in 2025Quietest: July$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / James KramerLake Clark National Park & Preserve
Alaska
19,778 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / Scott ArnazLassen Volcanic National Park
California
504,777 visits in 2025Quietest: December$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / J. CooperMammoth Cave National Park
Kentucky
660,734 visits in 2025Quietest: JanuaryFree entry
Photo: NPS PhotoMesa Verde National Park
Colorado
463,130 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / E. BrouwerMount Rainier National Park
Washington
1,635,342 visits in 2025Quietest: February$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/Jon PrestonOlympic National Park
Washington
3,584,187 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoPetrified Forest National Park
Arizona
315,951 visits in 2025Quietest: February$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo/ Katherine FieldingPinnacles National Park
California
343,208 visits in 2025Quietest: September$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/J.MarinoRocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
4,171,431 visits in 2025Quietest: February$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoSaguaro National Park
Arizona
847,749 visits in 2025Quietest: August$25 / vehicle
Photo: NPS/Rick CainSequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
California
2,158,128 visits in 2025Quietest: February$35 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Neal LewisShenandoah National Park
Virginia
1,682,152 visits in 2025Quietest: January$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS Photo / Mark MeyersTheodore Roosevelt National Park
North Dakota
729,893 visits in 2025Quietest: December$30 / vehicle
Photo: NPS PhotoVirgin Islands National Park
US Virgin Islands
471,074 visits in 2025Quietest: SeptemberFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / Daniel DendlerVoyageurs National Park
Minnesota
206,326 visits in 2025Quietest: AprilFree entry
Photo: NPS Photo / Shane CarteZion National Park
Utah
4,984,525 visits in 2025Quietest: January$35 / vehicle
Ideas from the National Park Service
Stargazing ideas, park by park
- Stargazing at Jordan PondSpring, Summer, Fall
Find opportunities to stargaze and photograph the night sky the shores surrounding Jordan Pond.
Pets OK - Stargazing at Sand BeachSpring, Summer, Fall
Enjoy stargazing and night photography opportunities from Acadia’s only sandy beach.
Pets OK - Stargazing at SeawallSpring, Summer, Fall
Explore the night sky from the west side of Mount Desert Island while enjoying the ocean soundscape.
Pets OK
- Stargaze at Panorama Point15-120 Minutes · All year
Arches National Park and the surrounding Colorado Plateau offer some of the darkest night skies remaining in the United States. You can enjoy the park after dark by viewing spectacular night skies.
Pets OK - Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah1-3 Hours · Summer
Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and…
- Stargazing at Black CanyonAll year
Black Canyon has exceptional opportunities to view the night skies. Choose overlooks far from the road for optimal stargazing and astrophotography or join one of the park's telescope viewing programs during summer.
Pets OK
- See the Night SkyAll year
Bryce Canyon is a sanctuary for natural darkness. Bryce Canyon's skies are so dark, that in 2019 the park was designated as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park. Since the park is open 24 hours a day, whether you…
FeePets OK - Stargazing at Bryce CanyonAll year
Bryce Canyon's high elevation, clean air, and remote location creates some of the darkest skies in the country. In fact, in 2019 Bryce Canyon officially gained International Dark Sky status. During a new Moon on a clear…
Pets OK
- Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah1-3 Hours · Summer
Rangers occasionally lead stargazing programs and events at parks throughout southeast Utah. Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and…
- StargazeAll year
Capitol Reef protects extremely dark night skies, and is a wonderful place to stargaze.
Fee
- Look for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)Winter, Spring, Fall
Aurora is like any weather phenomenon, where a forecast is issued each day. Unlike rain, though, aurora viewing can only occur when the far north is dark enough; and forecasts aren't nearly as precise as weather…
Pets OK
- Astronomy Ranger Program60-120 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Astronomy Program
- Experience the Night30-300 Minutes · All year
Half the park is after dark! Night at Great Sand Dunes can include dunes exploration under a bright full moon, viewing thousands of stars on a clear moonless night, listening for owls along the foothills, or observing…
Pets OK
- Stargazing at Joshua TreeAll year
Enjoy Joshua Tree National Park's amazing night sky.
- See the StarsAll year
Since prehistoric times, humans have looked up at the night sky and pondered the wonders of the universe. People have used the stars and planets to navigate, keep track of time, and to connect with other cultures.
Pets OK
- Full Moon Hikes at Mount Rainier30-180 Minutes · All year
Trail options and safety tips when hiking under a full moon at Longmire, Paradise, and Box Canyon at Mount Rainier National Park.
Fee - Star Gazing at Sunrise30-120 Minutes · Summer
Come explore the parks after dark! Star gazing is a great way to end a long day of hiking and exploring the park. The Sunrise area is a perfect spot for star gazing. There are several ways to view the stars at sunrise…
FeePets OK - Stargazing in Paradise & Stevens Canyon1-6 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn how to safely star gaze in the Paradise and Stevens Canyon Road areas of Mount Rainier National Park.
FeePets OK
night sky, stargazing
Pets OK
Shenandoah National Park has distinctly accessible night skies that make stargazing and astrophotography a fun and insightful activity for all ages.
Pets OK
Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers incredible night skies for amateur and expert stargazers alike to enjoy year round.
Pets OK
Come see the night skies at Voyageurs National Park. We have been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park because of the quality of our night skies and our commitment to protecting the sky form light pollution. The…
Reservation/permitPets OKThe Aurora Borealis, also known as northern lights, are radiant colors that light up the night sky over middle and high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, including at Voyageurs National Park.
Pets OK
Zion is a great place to connect with the night sky, whether you are an avid astrophotographer or this will be your first view of the Milky Way. As an International Dark Sky Park, Zion protects our incredible dark skies…
Pets OK
From the NPS Data API's things-to-do records, checked 2026-10-01.
FAQ
Stargazing, quickly
- Which national parks offer stargazing?
- 39 of the 63 national parks list stargazing as an activity, according to the National Park Service: Acadia, Arches, Big Bend, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Carlsbad Caverns, Channel Islands, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Denali, Dry Tortugas, Everglades, Gateway Arch, Grand Canyon, Great Basin, Great Sand Dunes, Great Smoky Mountains, Indiana Dunes, Isle Royale, Joshua Tree, Lake Clark, Lassen Volcanic, Mammoth Cave, Mesa Verde, Mount Rainier, Olympic, Petrified Forest, Pinnacles, Rocky Mountain, Saguaro, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Shenandoah, Theodore Roosevelt, Virgin Islands, Voyageurs, Zion.
- What's the least crowded national park for stargazing?
- By 2025 recreation visits, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (19,778 visits), then Isle Royale (29,091). The busiest park on this list is Great Smoky Mountains, with 11,527,939.
- Which state has the most national parks for stargazing?
- California, with 6, followed by Utah (5).
Sources · 2
- 1.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 2.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
Activities are the ones each park lists in the NPS Data API. Check the park's own nps.gov page for current trail, water and permit conditions.
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