ϳԹ

The best stargazing campgrounds
From beachside dunes to rugged mountainscapes, these six spots offer profound solitude, pitch-black skies, and some of the best stargazing in America. (Photo: Morahan Visuals)
Sponsor Content: Lexus

The 6 Best Campgrounds for Stargazing in the U.S.

From beachside dunes to rugged mountainscapes, these six spots offer profound solitude, pitch-black skies, and some of the best stargazing in America

Published:  Updated: 
The best stargazing campground in America
(Photo: Morahan Visuals)

Planning an adventure takes you only so far. Eventually you just need to get behind the wheel and go, especially when it comes to astrotourism. Here are the six best campgrounds to base your next stargazing adventure.

Discover More Extraordinary ϳԹs

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

The has to be seen to be believed. This unlikely gorge plunges more than 2,700 feet into the earth, forming a dramatic miles-long gash with sheer walls of marbled granite. But while it’s often called “the other Grand Canyon,” Black Canyon’s remote location makes it far less crowded—and much better for stargazing—than its celebrity neighbor to the south. Snag a site at the lesser-visited North Rim campground, which perches at the canyon’s edge and offers unparalleled views of the Milky Way.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison Milkyway
The Milky Way visible over Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. (Photo: Getty Images)

Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas

A 355,000-swath of rugged mountains and lush cactus gardens, is Texas’s largest state park—and one the best spots in the country for remote camping beneath undiluted starlight. Head the park’s Interior District, which offers a number of primitive drive-up campsites. While the Milky Way glitters in the clear desert sky all summer long, August brings a special treat: the Perseids meteor shower, which .

Want more artro-inspired adventure?

Freida Pinto and Cory Tran took the all-new Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ to catch a total solar eclipse in their hometown.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

Wild horses roam the shores of , one of the most undeveloped stretches of coastline in the Southeast. This place is truly remote—to access car-camping sites on the beach, you’ll need a 4WD vehicle and an . But with International Dark Sky status and more than 56 miles of shoreline to explore, it’s worth jumping through the extra hoops. Pitch a tent among the dunes, watch the sunset gild the Atlantic, and view the stars as they come out above the historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Buffalo National River, Arkansas

Surrounded by wilderness and surging with whitewater, the Buffalo is one of America’s wildest rivers. By day, it attracts kayakers and rafters. But by night, it attracts adventurers in search of the stars. Established an in 2019, the Buffalo River’s pebbled banks are among the best places in the Ozarks to see planets, constellations, meteors, and other celestial events. Target the for access to a quiet swimming hole and unobstructed views of the sky.

Buffalo National River in Northern Arkansas

The sunrise over the Buffalo National River in Northern Arkansas. (Photo: Getty Images)

, Idaho

The is home of the darkest skies in the world. It’s also huge, encompassing the turquoise lakes and snow-streaked summits of the White Clouds Wilderness and the craggy jaws of the Sawtooth Mountains. To see the ridges silhouetted in starlight, grab a campsite along Redfish Lake. Be sure to keep your wishes at the ready: shooting stars abound.

Death Valley National Park, California

California’s deepest valley might be best known for its sweltering summer heat, but visit in fall or winter and you’ll be treated to cool nights, clear skies, and a heart-stopping celestial show. Grab a primitive site at Eureka Dunes Campground (only accessible with a high-clearance vehicle), and hike up into the dunes after sunset for a front-row seat.


Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for global customers. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future and is the luxury hybrid leader with eight Lexus Hybrid Drive models. Learn more at .

Lead Photo: Morahan Visuals

Popular on ϳԹ Online