Stargazing is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty and mystery of the night sky. 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. If you want to find the perfect place to stargaze, you need to consider these factors carefully and choose a dark sky location that meets your needs.
In this article, we will explain the 5 most important things to consider when picking perfect dark sky spots, so you can have the best stargazing experience possible. Alison and I want you to enjoy your time out there whether you RV or tent camp!
Tip 1: Light Pollution
Easily the number one factor you should consider when picking the best dark sky spot is light pollution.
What is it? Light pollution is the excessive and inappropriate use of artificial light that brightens the night sky and reduces the visibility of stars. Light pollution can come from various sources, such as streetlights, buildings, cars, billboards, or even your own RV. Light pollution can also create glare, skyglow, and light trespass that can affect your eyesight and health.
To avoid light pollution, you should choose a dark sky location that is far away from any urban or suburban areas, or any other sources of artificial light. You can use our dark sky map or a light pollution app to find places that have low light pollution and good sky quality. You can also check the Bortle scale, which is a nine-level scale that measures the brightness of the night sky from 1 (excellent dark sky) to 9 (inner-city sky). Ideally, you should look for a location that has a Bortle scale rating of 3 or lower.
To avoid light pollution, you should choose a dark sky location that is far away from any urban or suburban areas, or any other sources of artificial light. You can use our dark sky map or a light pollution app to find places that have low light pollution and good sky quality. You can also check the Bortle scale, which is a nine-level scale that measures the brightness of the night sky from 1 (excellent dark sky) to 9 (inner-city sky). Ideally, you should look for a location that has a Bortle scale rating of 3 or lower.
We are always on the hunt for great dark sky locations, and we discover new ones every year.
Tip 2: Weather
Weather can make or break your stargazing experience. Clouds, rain, wind, fog, or humidity can mess up your view of the stars. Sometimes it can change quickly and catch you off guard, so you need to be ready for anything.
To avoid bad weather, pick a dark sky location that has a clear and stable climate, especially at night. Also, check the weather forecast and the moon phase before you go. You don’t want to miss the stars because of clouds, rain, wind, or a bright moon. You can use a website like Clear Dark Sky to find out how good the sky is for stargazing.
Humidity is another factor that can affect your stargazing. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. High humidity can make the air hazy and reduce the contrast and sharpness of the stars. Low humidity can make the air clearer and crisper, but also colder and drier.
To deal with humidity, choose a dark sky location that has moderate humidity levels. You can use a website like Weather Underground or an app like WeatherBug to check the humidity of your location. You should also bring some water to stay hydrated and comfortable if the humidity is low.
Having an RV is great for those rainy nights camping, which are bound to happen. That way, you can escape the rain or warm up if it’s a chilly night. Our family loves using our RV as another stargazing tool!
Tip 3: Altitude
You might not know how much altitude really can impact your stargazing experience if you have never seen the stars from somewhere higher, but it does.
Altitude is another factor that can affect your view of the stars. This refers to the height of a place above sea level. Basically, the higher the altitude, the thinner the air and the less atmospheric interference you have to deal with. So, this means that you can see more stars and details in the sky at higher altitudes than at lower ones.
To take advantage of altitude, you should choose a dark sky location that is at least 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. You should also be aware of the potential risks and challenges of high-altitude stargazing once you really start to climb in altitude, such as altitude sickness, hypothermia, dehydration, or difficulty breathing. You should also bring appropriate gear and clothing to protect yourself from the cold and low oxygen levels if you are going to be very high.
Some of our best stargazing nights have been at campgrounds over 8,000 feet above sea level.
Tip 4: Accessibility
Did you find a remote place, but it’s tough to get to?
Accessibility is another factor that can affect your stargazing experience. Accessibility refers to how easy or difficult it is to reach and stay at a dark sky location. Some locations may be remote or isolated, requiring long drives or hikes to get there. Some locations may also have limited facilities or services, such as restrooms, water sources, electricity outlets, or cell phone signals.
To ensure accessibility, you should choose a dark sky location that is within your comfort zone and budget. You should also plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need for your trip, such as transportation, accommodation, food, water, communication devices, maps, etc. You should also follow the rules and regulations of the place you are visiting and respect the environment and wildlife. We recommend you follow Leave No Trace principles everywhere and not just in more remote areas.
Tip 5: Interest
If you aren’t interested in it, you probably won’t do it.
Interest is another factor that can affect your stargazing experience. It can also vary depending on what you want to see or learn in the sky, such as constellations, planets, comets, meteors, galaxies, etc.
Some examples of places that are interesting for stargazing and might help drive your passion are:
– Big Bend National Park, Texas: Located near the Mexican border in southwest Texas, Big Bend’s massive area and little-to-no light pollution make it one of the best spots to stargaze in America
Sedona, Arizona: Where you can see up to 2,000 stars in the Milky Way and join themed Dark Sky dinners and events
– Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah: A great place to admire dinosaur fossils by day and stargaze with rangers and amateur astronomers by night
– Mauna Kea, Hawaii: Where you can visit the world’s largest astronomical observatory and see stars from both the northern and southern hemispheres
Canyonlands National Park, Utah: The countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved out by the Colorado River make it a popular destination for adventure-seekers in the Southwest as well as stargazers
To enhance your interest, you should choose a dark sky location that matches your personal preferences and goals. You should also use some resources and activities that can enrich your stargazing experience, such as:
| – A star chart or an app to help you find and identify constellations |
| – Binoculars or a telescope to magnify your view of the stars |
| – A book or a magazine about astronomy to expand your knowledge and get inspired by stories and images of the cosmos |
| – A game or a quiz about the night sky to test your memory and have fun with your family or friends |
| – A local astronomy club or society to meet other stargazers and share your experiences and tips |
| – A planetarium or an observatory to see the sky in a different way and learn more about astronomy from experts and guides |
Bonus Tip: Be Safe and Secure
Don’t risk it!
Safety and security are also important when choosing a dark sky location. You should avoid places that are dangerous or illegal to access, such as private property or restricted areas. You should also be aware of your surroundings and have some emergency contacts or devices in case something goes wrong.
To be safe and secure, you should choose a dark sky location that is legal and safe to visit. You should also inform someone of your plans and whereabouts, and check in regularly. You should also bring some basic safety equipment, such as a first aid kit, a whistle, a flashlight, a compass, etc.
Great stargazing spots don’t have to be in dangerous or illegal places to visit.
Wapping it up
Stargazing is a great way to enjoy nature and the universe while RVing. However, stargazing is not the same everywhere. Some places are better than others for stargazing, depending on various factors such as light pollution, weather, altitude, accessibility, and interest. By considering these factors carefully and choosing a dark sky location that suits your needs and preferences, you can have the best stargazing experience possible.
Happy stargazing!
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.