This would be a great place for a date, as well, as you could end the night at one of the many nearby restaurants. These mind-blowing places for stargazing in the USA offer uninterrupted views of the sparkling night sky. This blocks a majority of stars around populated areas. State Designated Dark Sky PreservesRecreation passport required for entry Light pollution maps, Bortle maps, and list of parks and IDS-certified locations. Bortle scale for sites is given where known. The stretch of shoreline along Lake Michigan makes the Headlands one of the best US stargazing destinations. If you think these views are stunning in the daylight, just wait for nightfall. Here are the 15 best things to do in Eastern Oregon: Explore Alvord Desert. WebSet along the shores of Lake Michigan, not far from beautiful Cecil Bay, this almost-600-acre park is home to pure Michigan natural beauty at its best, both on the ground and in the sky. Yet, the starry display alters with the seasons, as our planet spins on its axis. Campsite 26. Stargazing in Chicago. In an area known for its agriculture, livestock, and flyover state status, the Midwest would seem like the ideal place to stargaze. Creating dark sky spaces is also a cost-saving measure: the International Dark-Sky Association estimates that nearly $3 billion is spent annually on wasted nighttime light. If you live in the city but find it hard to find the stars at night, check out the RiverWalk, located in between Detroit and Canada (you can literally see Windsor from its banks). With more than half a million annual visitors, Crater Lake is one of the more popular parks on this listbut its namesake body of water makes it all worth it. As for the best places to go stargazing, some are located in the Windy City. Adams said that it goes beyond the beauty; dark skies are a critical component in habitat for nocturnal creatures. Port Crescent State Park (Huron County), 989-738-8663 The lodge property is open to the public at night all year round you do not need to stay overnight to experience the Dark Sky Park. Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Lenawee County), 517-445-2265 Located near the Mexican border in southwest Texas, Big Bend's massive surface area (spanning over Orchard Beach State Park (Manistee County), 231-723-7422 When you It is an 830-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. You can also catch passing freighters and a glimpse of Canada across the lake. However, it is still close enough to be easily accessible for a quick and easy adventure stargazing in Michigan. Castle Rock State Park. All rights reserved (About Us). Beaver Island is the only inhabited island in the middle of Lake Michigan. In fact, over 99% of people in Europe and America live under light-polluted skies. Enjoy a Natural Escape at the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center. Click the box above to learn more about Michigan's state forests. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE ORV HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Addison Oaks County Park, 1480 W. Romeo Rd., Leonard; 248-693-2432; oakgov.com, Climb the dunes at night and ascend into the stars. For more information, call 989-738-8663. It is, however, an International Dark Sky Park. The sunsets here are some of the best in the U.P., so stake out your spot early enough to witness two beautiful skies in one night. Former Free Press travel writer Ellen Creager called it "the strangest park" in Michigan when she wrote about it last year. One of the oldest state parks in the Upper Peninsula, Brimley State Park was established in 1923 when the Village of Brimley gave the DNR the park's initial 38 acres. These parks are open past dusk through the night of Sunday, April 10. Near the North Shelter. On certain evenings, you can even see the Northern Lights from here. Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. and little-to-no light pollution make it one of the best spots to stargaze in America. Near Bedford. "The park featuresvirgin pines, a bat cave, deep-water pier, sinkholes and beautiful Lake Huron beaches," she wrote. Here you will find a series of over thirty islands off the coast of Lake Huron. We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. 9. Wallowa Whitman National Forest. There are six other state parks designated as year-round dark sky reserves, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources - including one on the south side of the state - to protect the parks from light pollution. With this designation, the park is forever protected from light and sky pollution. Stargazers can visit areas of state parks, specially designated by state legislature as dark sky preserves, 24 hours a day (may not be consistently plowed in the winter). Youll want to rest up before venturing out into the dark sky to see all the incredible sights she has to offer night owl or not. You can access it while hiking. Home to the historic Tawas Point Lighthouse, the park offers outstanding, lakefront views of the night sky. WebMichigan state parks designated as Dark Sky Reserves: Wilderness State Park. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The 7 best spots for stargazing in Michigan Headlands International Dark Sky Park, six others designated as 'dark sky preserves' to protect from light pollution Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below: Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. A whole new world comes alive at night and is waiting to be explored. The next open house is Aug. 2, from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., and the full schedule can be found here. Check out their website to see all of the shows available at this amazing planetarium. Only four hours north of metro Detroit, this woodland oasis is one of the first International Dark Sky Parks in the world. The only lights youll see along this point of Lake Superior are the small flickers of freighters passing on the horizon. Wallowa Whitman National Forest. Its only 30 miles north of Chicago, Be sure that you follow the Detroit Free Press on Twitter (@freep) andInstagramand like us on onFacebook. 4. The Northern Lights are created by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. You can also upload your photos to our Spring Photo Crowdriff Collector below. Access to the party is available at no cost with park admission. Open houses occur on select Friday nights and include rooftop access for stargazing and planetarium shows. The historic Larimer Square in Lower Downtown (LoDo) is the perfect spot for a Denver shopping spree. Id like to know about places that I have not been at home! Cranbrook has one of the best planetariums in the metro area, the Acheson Planetarium, as well as an observatory. Beyond the town, the fifteen-mile-long island has nothing but dirt roads, cottages, and thousands of places to watch a million stars. Both the roof and the planetarium are wheelchair-accessible, but the telescopes are not. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. In an area known for its agriculture, livestock, and Where to Stargaze in the U.S. Johnny Diaz Struggling to see the stars in Miami . Voyageurs is a maze of interconnected water highways, so plan ahead by bringing your own watercraft or reserving one in advance for floating under the stars: Yes, its just as magical as it sounds. The countrys first national lakeshore, Pictured Rocks pairs Lake Superior viewing with its historical, sandstone cliffs. Canyonlands' countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes, carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries, make it a popular destination for adventure-seekers in the Southwest. 8) Stargazing Mt. Why are dark skies important? The IDA column indicates if a site is IDA-certified. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Point Lookout and Milky Way. Stargazing is best when the Sun has set low enough below the horizon so that twilight does not affect observations. WebStargazers can visit areas of state parks, specially designated by state legislature as dark sky preserves, 24 hours a day (may not be consistently plowed in the winter). USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINTER FUN HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more. Your email address will not be published. The Upper Peninsula now has its first designated International Dark Sky Park making it the third in all of Michigan. Use the button above to visit the fishing home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: Get all your hunting information here, including hunting season dates, rules and regulations, and much more. Map out your route and book your stay today. If looking for a weekend getaway with friends, this will be the best location to spend your days kayaking the Les Cheneaux Islands and swimming in Lake Huron. Sleepy Hollow State Park (Clinton County), 517-651-6217 Bortle Scale: 4-5. Take a relaxing walk up the RiverWalk and back, or perhaps a bike ride. Headlands offers some of the most stellar views in Michigan: meteor showers, the Northern Lights and multitudes of constellations can be seen without the help of a telescope. The park preserves over two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline south and west of McGulpin Point Light in the Straits of Mackinac. / CBS Detroit. Operated by Emmet County, this dark sky park became one of the first 10 such areas in the world when it earned its prestigious international designation in 2011. Make sure your camera is charged for some long exposure photos. However, it also doubles as one of the best places to gaze at the night sky, thanks to the park's world-class observatory. Crafted as a separate area inside the Susquehannock State Forest, this remote part of the state is named for the black cherry trees to be found in the park. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. You might even see the brilliant hues of Northern Lights dancing on top of them! Camp at one of the campgrounds or rent a car or moped and head out to one of the dozens of beaches. Beall Woods State Park. Special "Dark Sky Week" programming here is filled to capacity, but anyone is still welcome to come stargaze; the park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. July 18, 2015 / 8:00 AM Keep these tips in mind when adventuring to find the perfect spot to search for shooting stars, constellations, or even the Northern Lights in Michigan: Winter is finally subsiding and the nights are getting warmer. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. Ultimate Utah. Night owls, sightseers, late-night drivers and adventure seekers alike are called to discover the night. The best spot to stargaze in the area is easily Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), which consists of Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. Prices range from $5 per program plus museum admission, $4 per program for Institute members, or $1 per program for children under age 2. Call ahead to confirm hours for each location. Its also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior! As such, its no surprise that this remote national park has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. Built on a 9,157 foot summit, Mt. The skinny: Another park based along the Port Huron coastline (about seven-and-a-half miles of it),Thompson's Harbor is undeveloped and "provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring the park's six miles of trails," according to Michigan.org. Hunting and Fishing; Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania. Bundle up with warm coats, blankets and plenty of cocoa, and head to one of the following spots around the state: Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw CityFree; no recreation passport requiredmidarkskypark.org Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area (Lapeer County), 810-797-4439 Yet, we've pointed out our top three for avid stargazers. Most highlights appear between March and early December. And finally, the Geminids close the celestial parade in early winter. 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