This would be a great place for a date, as well, as you could end the night at one of the many nearby restaurants. park is prime viewing for stargazers, but some particularly popular spots include the Two Trees Trail, Rock Creek Campground, and Menu. Part of Hiawatha National Forest, AuTrain Lake is the largest inland lake in the area. Its only 30 miles north of Chicago, A historic mining town in Calumet, a coastal lighthouse in Eagle Harbor and a forested adventure spot in Copper Harbor. It's to the west of Headlands International Dark Sky Park, past Trails End Bay. Its convenient location between Negwegon State Park and Rockport State Park allows a comfortable stay in the city combined with an unforgettable camping adventure in one of the surrounding dark sky parks. The sparsely populated Upper Peninsula is a star-gazing mecca. The skinny: Like Negwegon State Park, Rockport was designated a dark sky preserve in 2016 after being founded as a state park just four years earlier. Choosing one place from the dozens of stellar spots available in Michigan might be somewhat complicated. 3. Beaver Island is the only inhabited island in the middle of Lake Michigan. Wallowa Whitman National Forest. Sleepy Hollow State Park (Clinton County), 517-651-6217 Enjoy a Natural Escape at the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center. In 2016, it was named The Sunshine States first-ever Dark Sky Park, and visitors can camp out for the stunning celestial show that plays out nightly above the palmettos. Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. Bruneau Dunes State Park/Facebook The park operates 24 hours a day and grants free admission. Filled with a variety of animal and bird species, this secluded park is a peaceful destination to enjoy the stars and some alone time with nature. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. So, go ahead and make yourself comfortable amongst the cactiBig Bend is the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United Statesas you behold the stars. A new show debuts each night with breathtaking dark sky viewing opportunities in the northernmost part of our peninsula. Because of the numerous A county-wide light ordinance helps curtail artificial light. Castle Rock State Park. Creating dark sky spaces is also a cost-saving measure: the International Dark-Sky Association estimates that nearly $3 billion is spent annually on wasted nighttime light. I live near Clifford and the stargazing is excellent.. On clear moonless nights the Milky Way is clearly visible overhead. Check out their website to see all of the shows available at this amazing planetarium. With 34 inland lakes in addition to the Great Lake shoreline, there are a multitude of spots perfect for plopping down a blanket and looking up. Operated by the University of Arizona, this observatory has the largest public dedicated telescope in the Southwest. WebMichigan is the best place to stargaze in the Eastern United States. Island Lake Recreation Area would be an ideal place to go stargazing at night; although it's in Brighton, it has almost a rural feel to it. It's a bit of a hike, but there are a few good places near Kalamazoo where you can really experience the wonder of our galaxy: Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Clear, winter nights provide the best viewing, so gazing upward and toward the north might just provide you with that outdoor experience you've been waiting. Michigan is lucky to play host to both dark sky preserves and parks that offer stellar celestial landscapes. This blocks a majority of stars around populated areas, 1. On the right is a 2015 light pollution map showing sky brightness at the zenith from World Atlas data. Thanks to U-Ms Student Astronomical Society, visitors can view the milky way, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies from advanced telescopes. Its also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior! Visit a local observatory to see the stars from the 18 ft (6 m) dome and capture the heavenly bodies through a 20 in (50 cm) PlaneWave telescope. All rights reserved. Stargazing spots are becoming harder and harder to find. Take a relaxing walk up the RiverWalk and back, or perhaps a bike ride. People who are searching for privacy and peace with a natural backdrop will love the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center, which is located nearby the western Michigan communities of St. Joseph and South Haven.This retreat center, which was originally founded in the 1930s A lack of light pollution and proximity to the North Pole make for excellent stargazing and Northern Lights viewing. The skinny: Wilderness State Park is massive. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It is the absolute best place to see the stars east of the Mississippi. Throw in the fact that the park welcomes less than 250,000 yearly visitorsand naturally, low light pollutionand you have one of the best places to stargaze in the Midwest. -Henry David Thoreau. Be sure that you follow the Detroit Free Press on Twitter (@freep) andInstagramand like us on onFacebook. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. These spots offer explosive views and are accessible by any vehicle. If you are able to stay over, there are many outdoor activities to do during the day ranging from mountain biking, hiking, trail running, golfing, birdwatching, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing and fat tire biking. Whitefish Point is a critical turning point for all vessel traffic entering and leaving the largest of all the Great Lakes. Spas, shopping, dining, dancing, craft beer yup. 8485 520th St. Kenyon, MN 55946. This blocks a majority of stars around populated areas. As you fall asleep each night, you can enjoy an unparalleled view of the stars above. What better place to look at the stars and moon than a shoreline that is crescent shaped? Cranbrook has one of the best planetariums in the metro area, the Acheson Planetarium, as well as an observatory. Though camping is not permitted, visitors are welcome to picnic and stargaze all night long. There are also plenty of stargazing apps that can help you navigate your way around planets and constellations, and the Headlands' Facebook page regularly posts about celestial events. Unplash/Under Lucky Stars. In an area known for its agriculture, livestock, and flyover state status, the Midwest would seem like the ideal place to stargaze. Canyonlands' countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes, carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries, make it a popular destination for adventure-seekers in the Southwest. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. When you arrive, the Lodge will impress you with how it significantly reduced its outdoor light footprint. Famed for having three major ecosystems located within the park (as well as protecting the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef and Texas four highest peaks), the park offers plenty to see both day and night. Leslie Gulch. Many favor Lake Hudson Recreation Area for its neat beach, picnic area, and equally dramatic night sky spectacle. Follow him on Twitter@BrianManzullo. Its a popular location for Les Cheneaux cabin rentals, Les Cheneaux kayak adventures, and stargazing campouts. There is ample parking and vault State park, historic sites and visitor center events. Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County), 989-684-3020 Utah has one of the largest selections of nighttime experiences due to large, open spaces and Spanning an expansive 54,000 acres, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is one of Florida's largest parksnot to mention the fact that its also one of the last places where the state's dry prairie ecosystem remains intact. Youll want to rest up before venturing out into the dark sky to see all the incredible sights she has to offer night owl or not. Take a look at the park page to know what nights a ranger will be on the ground. The life in the city may have its benefits but one basic disadvantage is that the artificial lights usually take away the majesty of the sky at The Les Cheneaux Islands are a mostly inhabited chain of islands. Blue Ridge Observatory And Star Park, North Carolina. They are best seen late August through early April. Despite its high levels of light pollution, Chicago preserves The large size of this lake provides miles of prime boating, canoeing and fishing. The countrys first national lakeshore, Pictured Rocks pairs Lake Superior viewing with its historical, sandstone cliffs. Angell Hall also has a planetarium, and this is one of the best ways to go stargazing "in the wild" in Ann Arbor. Aerial view of Charlevoix. Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County), 248-634-7271 Use it to locate a planet, the Moon, or the Sun and track their movements across The "virtual universe" includes 9,000+ stars, as well as planets and galaxies, all on a 50-foot, 3-story-high dome. The mighty waves of Lake Superior create a view wholly unique. Please view our directory listingfor general contact information. There are also plenty of excellent night-sky viewing opportunities across more than 15,000 square miles in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Most Stellar Places for Stargazing in Michigan Dark Sky Preserves Alpena. * To take full advantage of your night sky experience, make your Michigan state park camping reservation at MiDNRReservations.com. For more detailed information on visiting the Headlands, Alpena, or Lake Hudson, we recommend checking the destinations' official websites listed in the External Resources below. Those looking for a stunning night sky in the eastern U.S. will want to head to North Carolina and the Mayland Earth to Sky Park and Bare Dark Sky Observatory. About 67,000 acres in Jackson County are part of the Black River State Forest, founded in 1957. 8) Stargazing Mt. Murphy Dome is a recreational site about 20 miles outside of Fairbanks and is the highest point in the area, providing the perfect vantage point for stargazing. This Lake Huron island in the eastern Upper Peninsula is a natural dark sky park of its own with some of the best stargazing and Northern Lights viewing in the world. Come visit! After crossing the Mackinac Bridge, take a right to head east. (952) 467-2426. www.mnastro.org. The U.P. Expanding metropolitan areas create light pollution. When you Additionally, interestingly enough, Rappahannockwhich sits at the gateway to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, just miles from the iconic Appalachian Trailis one of few places on the East Coast where you can see the Milky Way shimmer and shine from above. Port Crescent State Park (about 75 miles northeast of Saginaw) Wilderness State Park (about 12 miles west of Mackinaw City) Negwegon State Park (about 20 Published on May 6, 2021. You can also upload your photos to our Spring Photo Crowdriff Collector below. Based at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, it is at the northernmost tip of the U.P. Great Basin National Park is hugeit covers much of Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, and it even pokes into sections of California, Idaho, and Wyomingso it may come as no surprise that youll find unpolluted areas in this great expanse of land. With so many places for spectacular views, here are five of the top stargazing spots in Michigan that are less than five hours from downtown Detroit. WebFind the best nights to stargaze using our dark sky calendar! The skinny: Near the Michigan-Ohio border, this park offers dark sky observation for those looking to stargaze toward the southern part of the state. Hartwick Pines State Park (Crawford County), 989-348-7068 Denver is the ultimate place for a girls getaway. For more information, call 989-734-2543. Located in Goodhue County, the Only four hours north of metro Detroit, this woodland oasis is one of the first International Dark Sky Parks in the world. Even though we know more about our universe today, the stars and planets still inspire awe. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Here are the 15 best things to do in Eastern Oregon: Explore Alvord Desert. Expanding metropolitan areas create light pollution. All rights reserved (About Us). "I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees." Did you know Michigan holds one of the few International Dark Sky Parks? WebVisit four observatories that offer professional stargazing equipment for public use. P.H. It's located about two miles west of downtown Mackinaw City. They are located in the following places in Michigan: International Dark Sky Week, which takes place each spring, is hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association to encourage discovery of the night sky. These parks are open past dusk through the night of Sunday, April 10. Where is your favorite place to observe stars in Michigan? Near Bedford. Calling all stargazers: It's International Dark Sky Week and with tonight's new moon allowing for extra-dark skies the next few nights, it's prime time (weather permitting!) Take M-26 through Eagle River along the northern shores of the Keweenaw Peninsula to Copper Harbor. Best of all, the International Dark Sky Park-designated destination sees less than 100,000 visitors per year, which means you likely won't be disturbed by anyone else as you turn toward the heavens. Hunting and Fishing; USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Michigan City A town in La Porte county. However, depending on where you live, that may not be possible. There's a pond area that would be perfect for stargazing, or you could bike along the trails while admiring the stars, too. And Menu cabin rentals, Les Cheneaux cabin rentals, Les Cheneaux kayak adventures, and features... 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