20 magical dark sky campsites in the US that will blow your mind after sunset

Time of India

4 days ago

If you have never seen the Milky Way illuminate the night sky, you are missing out on one of nature's most spectacular displays. Across the United States, there are incredible dark-sky campsites ideal for stargazers. These off-grid getaways provide peace, solitude, and breathtaking night skies no telescope required.
Hipcamp's latest list of the best
dark sky campsites
in the United States includes 20 locations where
stargazing
is spectacular. From California deserts to New Mexico farms and Montana lakes, these destinations offer unforgettable celestial views, clear night skies, and truly magical camping experiences away from city lights and noise.
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Astrotourism
is a rapidly expanding travel trend for 2025, but it can be challenging to find a campsite in a remote area free of intrusive lights and noise. There is a category for "Best Dark-Sky Campsites in the US" in this year's Hipcamp Awards. It's a compilation, not a ranking, that was created using information from reviews and ratings of more than 500,000 campgrounds to assist campers in finding some of the nation's darkest camping locations.
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These are Hipcamp's top Dark Sky Campsites in the United States, ranging from California, Utah, and Montana to West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, as per a report by Forbes.
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20 Best U.S. Dark-Sky Campsites
Stargazing Field at Olga Farm – Coudersport, Pennsylvania
An organic vegetable farm near the Pennsylvania Wilds, offering peaceful primitive tent camping and glamping under pristine skies.
Starry Nights New River Gorge – Hinton, West Virginia
Set on a mountaintop with panoramic views of the Appalachian and Allegheny ranges, just minutes from New River Gorge National Park.
Grateful Acres Vermont – West Dover, Vermont
A music‑inspired retreat nestled in the Green Mountains, with sites for tents, trailers, and access to nearby kayaking spots.
Ultimate Private Camping – Hot Springs, Virginia
A secluded mountain getaway perfect for groups, with trout streams, hiking trails, and expansive forested land.
A Spark in the Dark Campground – Ash Fork, Arizona
Forty private acres of open sky in northern Arizona, perfect for Grand Canyon visits and stargazing in silence.
Tarantula Ranch – Beatty, Nevada
A former vineyard in the Mojave Desert, offering wide‑open night skies near Death Valley National Park.
Cuyama Badlands – Santa Barbara, California
A high‑desert landscape rich in history and spring wildflowers, perfect for stargazing far from city lights.
Song of the Ancients – Paicines, California
Tucked in the Diablo Mountains, this oak-dotted campsite offers cool breezes and quiet nights under brilliant stars.
Enchanted Circle Campground – Angel Fire, New Mexico
A historic property in northern New Mexico surrounded by wildlife and vintage charm, with minimal skyglow.
Glacier Getaway 2.0 – Babb, Montana
Located by a small lake near Glacier National Park, this site offers crisp alpine air and starry reflections.
Painter's Paradise – Randle, Washington
In the remote Pacific Northwest, this campsite lies between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, offering deep, uninterrupted darkness.
Yosemite Colfax Spring – Groveland, California
Set atop a ridge near Yosemite, with views of cedar forests and the Tuolumne River Canyon.
Ranchito Feliz – Cannonville, Utah
Centrally located near Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and Lake Powell—ideal for tent and RV campers chasing starlight.
Glamping Canyonlands – Monticello, Utah
South of Moab, this off-grid retreat has canvas tents and a stargazing‑ready Skylight Casita.
C2T Ranch on the Saline River – Plainville, Kansas
A working cattle ranch surrounded by tall limestone cliffs, great for hiking, fishing, and watching stars drift by.
Logan Ranch Campground – Tie Siding, Wyoming
Nestled between Fort Collins and Laramie, this site offers 1,000 acres of wildlife and some of the darkest skies in Wyoming.
Seco Ridge Campgrounds – Utopia, Texas
Primitive sites, a cozy cabin, and proximity to Texas state parks make this a popular spot for night sky seekers.
The Bus Stop Campground – Terlingua, Texas
A small, desert-style campground near Big Bend National Park, one of the darkest certified skies in the U.S.
Good Guad Land Co. – Dell City, Texas
A remote desert escape beside Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with no light pollution and unmatched silence.
Observatory At South Park – Fairplay, Colorado
High up in Colorado's Rockies, this site includes its own telescope for guests, offering a guided path to the stars.
FAQs
What qualifies a campsite as "dark sky" certified?
The minimal light pollution allows for clear views of stars, the Milky Way, and meteors, making it ideal for night-sky immersion.
Do these campsites have comfortable amenities, or are they only primitive?
The area offers a variety of accommodations, including rustic farmland, private ranches, family camping, and air-conditioned glamping pods with breathtaking views.