This National Park Offers The Best Stargazing Experience In The US

Astro-tourism, the travel trend of witnessing the cosmos with limited light pollution, is gaining popularity and bringing people to destinations around the world. It seems these locations are getting harder to find, but in the United States, there is one national park in particular calling to curious and professional stargazers alike. Nevada's Great Basin National Park, about a 240-mile drive from Salt Lake City International Airport, tops the list as the best national park for stargazing in 2025, according to the travel site Kuhl. This area of the country is one of the few places in the United States where the nighttime sky looks like it did 1,000 years ago. Little to no natural light obstructs the view here, meaning distant objects like Jupiter and even the Andromeda Galaxy can be spotted with the naked eye. Timing is everything, of course, and in the winter months, favorites like the Orion constellation come into view of the park.

According to Kuhl, it's not just the near total darkness that places Great Basin National Park on the top of its list. With a visitor center situated in the funky little town of Baker, Nevada, the park hosts more than 50 stargazing events each year, offering stargazers multiple chances to view the heavens. One of the park's most popular events is the Astronomy Festival, held each September.

Great Basin National Park is dark because it's far from major cities, and the park itself takes measures to ensure light pollution is at a minimum. Campground amenities are minimal, meaning electric hookups, cell phone service, and other modern features are absent or limited. Tent and RV sites are available, with a reservation. Multiple campsites throughout the park provide different vantage points for sky gazers. However, it's important to remember that some campgrounds are seasonal, and winter weather can impact the park's accessibility. Visit the Great Basin National Park website for reservations and site availability.

If roughing it in the wilderness isn't your idea of a good time, consider staying in nearby Ely, Nevada, a Wild West town that serves as the park's gateway. It's just an hour away and serves as an underrated gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and casinos are all available here for those needing more modern accommodations to accompany their admiration of the cosmos.

To earn its top spot in the U.S. for stargazing, Great Basin National Park checked a lot of boxes. The team at Kuhl looked at multiple factors that make a place excellent for viewing the cosmos. Elevation, the number of stargazing events it hosts, the level of light pollution, and the accessibility of campgrounds all played into the methodology. And while Great Basin took the top spot, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other options available to astro-tourists. In fact, Zion National Park in Utah outranked Great Basin when it came to planned stargazing events. Zion focuses its programs in the summer, when nights are clearer and drier. Many events are geared toward amateur astronomers and often provide telescope viewing and guest speakers to offer instruction and context. There's even a lodge tucked right into the red canyon walls of Zion National Park, making accommodations easy.

To ensure a successful and comfortable night of stargazing, no matter where your vantage point, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Always check the forecast and wear appropriate clothing. Once at your destination for sky gazing, give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and avoid using light if at all possible. If necessary, use red lights to navigate the ground near you, since red light has less of an impact on your nighttime vision. You may also want to visit astronomical websites and stay up to date on expected cosmic phenomenon that could add even more excitement to your night under the stars.