The top dark sky parks in all 50 states with the clearest nights to enjoy mesmerizing meteor showers

You can get stellar night views, and even see the aurora, in most of Alaska. Other great stargazing spots include Eklutna Lake, Denali National Park, Flattop Mountain, Hatcher Pass, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Also, try Jackson Lake State Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area.

To the south, City of Rocks National Reserve also has breathtaking night skies.

Be careful, since roads can be rough in some places through the Arikaree Breaks’ landscape of canyons, visitors have said. Other places in the Sunflower State to stargaze include Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and Teter Rock.

Kisatchie is Louisiana’s only National Forest and is often a popular place for astrophotographers for its stunning views of the Milky Way galaxy.

Both Tuckahoe State Park and Point Lookout State Park have minimal light pollution and are considered ideal spots for stargazers in Maryland.

Dr. T.K. Lawless Park is one of three IDA-certified locations in Michigan. The other two are Headlands Dark Sky Park and Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.

The region has three campgrounds so you can set up your tent and stargaze all night long. Other places in Mississippi with noteworthy dark skies include Choctaw County and De Soto National Forest.

Another scenic place is Waterton Lakes National Park, which also spans into Canada. 

Star parties are often held at Belleplain State Forest if you want to catch the view with some fellow sky enthusiasts. 

If you’d rather take a little hike to your stargazing location, North Dakota Tourism Department recommends Pembina Gorge or Sully Creek State Park. 

Only accessible by boat, Capers Island is the definition of remote. If bringing your own camping gear is a little too rustic for you, the Oconee State Park in Mountain Rest has cabins and is ideal for stargazing according to the former director of South Carolina State Parks. 

Tennessee boasts two IDA-certified dark parks: Obed Wild and Scenic River and Pickett CCC Memorial State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area. Both have regular star-viewing events hosted by astronomy groups.

Over 20 places in Utah have earned IDA designations. Northern Utah has Antelope Island State Park, Dinosaur National Monument, East Canyon State Park, Jordanelle State Park, North Fork Park, Rockport State Park, Steinaker State Park, and Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Goblin Valley State Park, Goosenecks State Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument are in the southeast. Southwestern Utah is home to Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Fremont Indian State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion National Park.

It can be hard to find light-free skies east of the Mississippi. Luckily, Virginians can travel to five IDA-certified dark sky parks in their state: James River State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, Rappahannock County Park, Sky Meadows State Park, and Staunton River State Park.

West Virginia’s largest state park also happens to be IDA-certified. Forests surround Watoga State Park, helping keep light pollution low.

Home to one of the most famous national parks in the US, Wyoming’s wide-open spaces are great for seeing stars.

While neither is IDA certified, both Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park have low light pollution, as do the Devil’s Tower National Monument and the Fossil Butte National Monument.

Wyoming Magazine also recommends Jackson Hole, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center, and Lake Flaming Gorge.