The Best Locations for Stargazing

Identification

• Ever wonder why movies that depict twinkling stars and chirping crickets seem to be located in some out-of-the-way rural town? It's because that's where the stars are best viewed. The International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) cites one impediment to clear star-viewing: human light pollution. In short, the light from businesses, cars, homes and factories blurs the stars in the night sky.

  The best places to view stars, therefore, are those that have the least light pollution. While you don't have to travel to the most isolated places in the world to experience enjoyable stargazing, the farther you move from major sources of light, such as city centers, the better the view will be.

Parks and Monuments

• Because they tend to be on isolated lands far away from major cities, national parks, state parks and national monuments are among the best places in the country to view the stars. In the United States, Natural Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah, Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania and Clayton Lake State Park in New Mexico, along with several others, have been designated International Dark Sky Parks by the IDSA. Other parks that are known for clear night skies include Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.

Destinations

• While parks are a good bet for stargazing, you can also optimize your chances of seeing a natural light show by traveling to certain destinations around the world. Need another excuse to travel to Hawaii? Bob Riel of Matador Trips says that the islands' isolated location in the Pacific Ocean cuts down on the light pollution. Chile is another hotspot for stargazing. The Atacama Desert is another option if you're up for an adventure. If not, consider checking in at the Hotel Elqui Domos (elquidomos.cl/english/) in Chile, an astronomic hotel where you can view the night sky from your bed and take part in astronomy tours.

Cities

• Yes, large cities and towns are some of the worst places to view the stars, but sometimes you need a little culture along with your night sky viewing. The IDSA has recognized certain cities that have taken the appropriate measures to cut down on light pollution and preserve the natural light of the sky. Flagstaff, Arizona; Borrego Springs, California, and Isle of Sark, Channel Islands, have all been designated as International Dark Sky Communities.