Stargazing is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty and mystery of the night sky. It’s something we try to do all of the time. However, not all places are equally suitable for stargazing. Some factors can affect the quality and quantity of stars you can see, such as light pollution, weather, altitude, and more.
In this blog post, we cover some amazing stargazing spots in the national monuments, so you can enjoy the beauty of the night sky in many of the most stunning natural settings in the world. These spots are based on our own research and experience, as well as the Bortle scale ratings, which measure the brightness of the night sky from 1 (excellent dark sky) to 9 (inner-city sky).
Of course, there are many more amazing places to stargaze in the national monuments, but these are some of our favorites.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is one of the most remote and rugged places in Arizona. Located on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, this monument covers over a million acres of land that includes mountains, plateaus, canyons, rivers, and springs. That’s correct, over one million! Right, Dr. Evil?
You can absolutely see some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery around from this monument. Not only that, you can also see tons of stars and other celestial objects from this excellent stargazing spot. You will find very low light pollution and high elevation, which allow you to see millions of stars and even faint objects like galaxies and nebulae. You can also witness some rare celestial events here, such as zodiacal light and gegenschein.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Bortle scale rating: 1 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are Mount Trumbull Trailhead, Mount Logan Trailhead, Twin Point Overlook, or Pakoon Springs Campground. You can also join star parties or night sky programs hosted by local organizations.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument is one of the most unique and beautiful places in Utah, and it is best known to stargazers throughout the world as the first International Dark Sky Park. Located near Lake Powell, this monument features three natural bridges that were formed by erosion over millions of years. You can see several awesome bridges in this park: Sipapu Bridge, Kachina Bridge, and Owachomo Bridge from this monument. You can also see some of the most incredible stars and other celestial objects from here.
Natural Bridges has very low light pollution and high elevation, which create stunning views of the stars and the bridges. You can also enjoy some unique features of the night sky here. It’s pretty much a photographer’s dream to shoot both landforms and stars from this stunning location.
Natural Bridges National Monument Bortle scale rating: 1 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Natural Bridges National Monument are Sipapu Bridge Viewpoint Parking Area, Kachina Bridge Viewpoint Parking Area, Owachomo Bridge Viewpoint Parking Area, or Campground Loop Road Parking Area. There are numerous events at Natural Bridges to attend such as joining a guided night sky program offered by the park.
Hovenweep National Monument
Hovenweep National Monument is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places in the Four Corners region. Located on the border of Utah and Colorado, this monument protects six prehistoric villages that date back over 800 years. You can see hundreds of stone towers, walls, kivas, and other structures from this monument, not to mention You see some of the most incredible stars and other celestial objects from this monument.
Hovenweep has very low light pollution, is usually pretty dry, and is a mile high, which makes for excellent viewing conditions. You can also see how the ancient Puebloans aligned their buildings with the movements of the sun, moon, and stars if you are interested in astroarchaeology.
Hovenweep National Monument Bortle scale rating: 2 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Hovenweep National Monument are from the parking areas: Square Tower, Cajon, Cutthroat Castle, or Holly. You can also join night sky programs through the park in the spring and summer.
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument is one of the most iconic and mysterious landmarks in Wyoming. Located near the Black Hills, this monument features a massive rock formation that rises over 1,200 feet above the surrounding landscape. You can see the tower from miles away and marvel at its shape and size as you drive through this part of Wyoming.
You can also see some of the most wonderful stars and other celestial objects from this monument. It has very low light pollution due to its relatively isolated location, which helps create stunning views of the stars and the tower. Sit out and enjoy some unique features of the night sky here or shoot the stars with this unique landform in mind.
Devils Tower National Monument Bortle scale rating: 2 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Devils Tower National Monument are Red Beds Trailhead, Joyner Ridge Trailhead, or Valley View Trailhead. Check out the park’s night sky page for ranger-led stargazing opportunities.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is one of the most colorful and scenic places in Utah. Located near Bryce Canyon National Park, this monument features a huge natural amphitheater that is filled with hoodoos, spires, arches, and cliffs. You can see a variety of colors and shapes from this monument, especially some stunning red and orange shades.
Stars and the interesting landforms work together to create mind-blowing stargazing opportunities. With very low light pollution this place is a must visit. Even with the moon out, you’ll want to sit outside all night and enjoy the amphitheater being illuminating bringing extra life to the canyon walls.
Cedar Breaks National Monument Bortle scale rating: 2 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Cedar Breaks National Monument are Point Supreme Overlook, Chessman Ridge Overlook, Sunset View Overlook, or Campground Loop Road Parking Area. You can also attend the annual Cedar Breaks Star Party or join a guided night sky program offered by the park.
Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki National Monument is one of the best places to experience the culture and history of the Southwest. Located near Flagstaff, Arizona, this monument preserves ancient Puebloan ruins from a fascinating time in early American history. You can see some of the largest and most complex structures from this monument, such as Wupatki Pueblo, Citadel Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, and Nalakihu Pueblo.
Because of the low light pollution, you can also see some of the most amazing stars and other celestial objects from this monument while enjoying the history of the region. If you love learning about the native people of the southwest and how their cultures connect with the starry skies, this place is a must-visit.
Wupatki National Monument Bortle scale rating: 1 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Wupatki National Monument are at any of the parking areas: Wupatki Pueblo, Citadel Pueblo, Lomaki Pueblo, or Nalakihu Pueblo. You can also join night sky programs or star parties hosted by the park or local organizations.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
We know it’s not specifically a national monument, but since we’re probably not creating a list of just great national historic parks for stargazing, we put Chaco Culture National Historical Park on this list. Why? It is both a fantastic place for stargazing and is one of the most important and impressive archaeological sites in North America.
Located in New Mexico, this park preserves the remains of an ancient Native American civilization that flourished between AD 850 and 1250. You can see hundreds of stone buildings, petroglyphs, pictographs, and other artifacts from this park.
At night, you’ll be truly amazed viewing the stars and other celestial objects from this park. This park has very low light pollution and high elevation, which make for excellent viewing conditions. What is cool about Chaco, is learning how ancient Chacoans aligned their buildings with the movements of the sun, moon, and stars.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park Bortle scale rating: 2 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Chaco Culture National Historical Park are Pueblo Bonito Overlook Trailhead, Gallo Campground Loop A or B, Casa Rinconada Trailhead, or Peñasco Blanco Trailhead. You can also join the annual Chaco Star Party or the monthly Night Sky programs hosted by the park or local astronomy groups.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the best places to experience the Everglades ecosystem in Florida. Even though it’s a national preserve, we had to throw it this one on this list. Located near Miami, where I grew up (Jason), this preserve protects over 700,000 acres of land that includes swamps, marshes, forests, and prairies. You can see some of the most unique and diverse plants and animals from this preserve, such as cypress trees, orchids, alligators and possibly panthers…but probably not.
At night, you’ll be able to experience the wonderful stars and other celestial objects from this preserve. Big Cypress has very low light pollution, which creates stunning nighttime views of the stars over water. You can also enjoy some unique features of the night sky here, such as shooting stars and satellites.
Big Cypress National Preserve Bortle scale rating: 3 (in the darkest areas)
Some of the best spots to stargaze in Big Cypress National Preserve are Turner River Road Parking Area #1 or #2, Monument Lake Campground, or Burns Lake Campground. Paddle out deep into the preserve for the truly dark skies. You can also join night sky programs or star parties hosted by the park.
How to Find More Dark sky Locations in the National Monuments
If you want to find more dark sky locations in the national monuments, you can use the DarkSky website, which provides information and resources about the dark sky places and events around the world as well as tips and tools for stargazing. You can also find out which national monuments are certified as International Dark Sky Parks or are working towards that designation.
Our national monuments offer some of the best places to stargaze in the country. With dark and clear skies, stunning landscapes, and rich history, they are wonderful spots to enjoy nature and the universe as a whole. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you are bound to find a location that suits your interests.
Enjoy it out there!
Try this article next: 7 Great Stargazing Spots in the National Parks
About the Authors
We are avid stargazers Jason and Alison Takacs also known as Roadtrippin’ with Takacs. With our two boys Preston and Grayson, we seek out some of the darkest skies in the country while also going on many incredible hiking and other outdoor adventures. As part-time RVers, we try to see as much of this amazing world as possible in our spare time and hope you will join us through this blog on RWT Adventures and other forms of social media as we explore the night sky and other natural wonders as hardcore astrotourists.