You have probably heard of the 63 national parks that exist in the U.S., but what about the dark sky parks? Protected by private organizations or the government, these designated dark sky areas are chosen for their extraordinary starry skies. They are known for their low light pollution and being ideal spots for stargazing. There are over 60 dark sky areas in the U.S., meaning there are plenty of places to go watch the natural dark skies in your RV. If you are ready to hit the road and enjoy a few nights of gazing at the stars, then here’s where you can enjoy dark night skies in the U.S.

1. Big Bend National Park, TX

Located in west Texas, Big Bend National Park is a remote open desert that offers more natural beauty than one could imagine. During the day, over 450 bird species, forested canyons, pinnacles, and hot springs can be explored. At night, the park is a great place for stargazing. In fact, it’s known for having the least amount of light pollution than any other national park in the lower 48 states. This is due to its remoteness and there being no visible lights from any nearby cities or towns.

2. Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic national parks to visit in the U.S. Not only do the sandstone sculptures, diverse wildlife, and unique rock formations make it a special place to explore, it’s also known for having clear starry skies. At 277 miles long and 18 miles wide,  there is plenty of space to get a glimpse of the galaxies hovering above. Check out spots like Moran Point and Mather Point in the South Rim or Bright Angel Point in the North Rim.

3. Big Cypress National Preserve, FL

Home to one of the darkness night skies on the east coast, the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida is a great spot to stargaze while exploring the east coast. Head to Big Cypress Swamp in your RV after visiting Everglades National Park to see just how beautiful the night sky gets over this remote landscape. What’s more, the Big  Cypress National Preserve preserves over 729,000 acres of the swamp that includes a mix of tropical and temperate plant communities, as well as rich marine life—making it a great place to be during  both the night and day.

4. Arches National Park, UT

During  the day, Arches National Park is a place where over 2,000 sandstone arches and more than 700 plant and animal species can be explored. As part of the Colorado Plateau, this landscape offers some of the best dark skies in the U.S. Without any artificial light entering the park, it’s easy to view the beauty of the night sky while here. Take an easy or moderate hike to vast spots in the park to get the best view, such as Delicate Arch, Double Arch, or Park Avenue Trail after sunset.

5. Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC

It is rare to view the Milky Way with the natural eye, but at the Cape Lookout National Seashore, it is possible. As one of the darkest areas along the east coast, it’s easy to get a clear view of the starry night sky here. This seashore includes 56 miles of undeveloped barrier islands: North Core Banks, South Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks, which are only accessible by boat. In addition to its night sky, this remote seashore is also a great place for lighthouse lovers, birdwatchers, fisherman, and hikers.

6. Great Basin National Park, NV

With its underground caves, vast landscapes, and starry skies, Great Basin National Park is an exciting national park to explore. This park is home to some of the oldest trees on earth, such as Great Basin Bristlecone pines. In addition, the Lehman Caves are a popular place for visitors to tour during the day. At night, view thousands of stars, the milky way, and planets in our solar system, such as Mars and Saturn, in this extraordinary dark sky park.

7. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, ME

Just east of Baxter State Park, Katahdin Woods and Waters is a hidden gem in the northeast with exceptional night skies for stargazing. In 2020, this monument joined the list as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. In fact, this area has some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River. Maine’s North Woods are known for their dense forests and remote areas, so it’s no surprise that they made it on the list. The area is great for fishing, camping, and viewing Mount Katahdin.

8. Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Located in southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is a place where petroglyphs cover the rocks, colorful sunrises appear behind fields of cacti, and unique rock formations, such as Skull Rock, can be found throughout the park. What’s more, this park is far enough from the busy cities and streets to offer clear, out-of-this-world views of the starry night sky. After a day of discovering unique cacti and Joshua trees, you’ll get to spot the stars and planets lighting up the sky.

When it comes down to it, any vast area with less light pollution is going to offer some amazing views of the stars up above on a clear night. When a  place is designated as a dark sky park, efforts are made to preserve its natural darkness, making them a must-visit type of destination. If you’re debating whether to go on a stargazing tour in your RV or to just one spot, then read about the pros of going on a road trip vs. one destination.

See you on the road!