20 Best Dark Sky Campsites In The U.S. For Stargazing In 2025
Camping in an RV in the Anza-Borrego Desert under the Milky Way.
What are the best campsites for stargazing? There’s a lot going on in the night sky in July and this summer, but with the exception of the full moon and planets, dark skies are required. Ever wanted to see the Milky Way arc across the night sky? Go camping. How about “shooting stars” during a meteor shower? Go camping.
Astrotourism is a rapidly growing travel trend for 2025, but finding a campsite in a dark region that also doesn’t have annoying lights and interruptions is difficult. Cue this year’s Hipcamp Awards, which this year has a category for “Best Dark-Sky Campsites in the US.” It’s not a ranking, but a collection — gleaned from data from reviews and ratings of over 500,000 campsites — designed to help campers discover some of the darkest camping spots in the country.
From Pennsylvania, Vermont and West Virginia to California, Utah and Montana, here are Hipcamp’s Best Dark Sky Campsites in the U.S.
Stargazing Field at Olga Farm, Coudersport, Pennsylvania
A working organic vegetable farm offering primitive camping in its Stargazing Field, along with several glamping options. Close to the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Grateful Acres Vermont, West Dover, Vermont
A Grateful Dead–inspired campground in Vermont’s Green Mountains, with space for tents, campers and trailers, with kayak rentals for the nearby reservoir.
Starry Nights New River Gorge, Hinton, West Virginia
On a mountain in southeast West Virginia, this campsite has views of the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains and is close to New River Gorge National Park.
Ultimate Private Camping, Hot Springs, Virginia
A vast private retreat ideal for exclusive access by large groups. Close to Hot Springs and The Homestead, there’s a trout stream, direct access to 3,000 acres of adjoining National Forest trails and very dark skies.
Cuyama Badlands, Santa Barbara, California
With four RV/tent sites, two dedicated RV spots and two tent-only sites, this desert moonscape is perfect for stargazers. It’s close to ancient Chumash cave paintings at Painted Rock and comes alive with spring wildflowers.
A Spark in the Dark Campground, Ash Fork, Arizona
These 40 acres of wide-open, private land in northern Arizona are perfect for stargazing in total solitude. It’s handy for trips to the Grand Canyon — now an International Dark Sky Park — as well as Flagstaff and Meteor Crater.
Ranchito Feliz, Cannonville, Utah
In Grand Staircase-Escalante and just minutes from Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef and Lake Powell, this ranch offers private tent sites, car and RV camping.
40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients, Paicines, California
In California’s Diablo Mountain Range, with campsites among oak trees, Song of the Ancients has dark skies and cool breezes. It’s close to Pinnacles and Mercy Hot Springs.
Enchanted Circle Campground, Angel Fire, New Mexico
New Mexico’s first potato farm in 1893, this historic property has vintage wagons and farm equipment as well as elk, mule deer and black bears.
Seco Ridge Campgrounds, Utopia, Texas
Close to the wonderful Garner State Park and Lost Maples Natural Area, this property offers primitive tent sites, a Cargo Tent and a Bunkhaus cabin — and inky-black dark skies.
Star trails above a campsite in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California.
C2T Ranch on the Saline River, Plainville, Kansas
This working cattle ranch among towering 150-foot limestone cliffs has primitive and powered campsites plus glamping tents. It’s perfect for stargazing but also offers hiking, fishing, birdwatching and fossil hunting,
Logan Ranch Campground, Tie Siding, Wyoming
Another cattle ranch, this time between Fort Collins and Laramie in Wyoming, has stunning rock formations, 1,000 acres of hiking, birdwatching and wildlife (marmots, pronghorn, elk and moose). It’s close to Virginia Dale Stage Station.
Good Guad Land Co., Dell City, Texas
Extreme solitude, zero amenities (besides picnic tables) and stunning views are promised at this desert camping spot next to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, close to the Texas-New Mexico border. It is the perfect place to run it under the stars.
Glamping Canyonlands, Monticello, Utah
An off-grid retreat with four canvas wall tents, a glamping pod, and a new air-conditioned Skylight Casita, Glamping Canyonlands is south of Moab, Uta, close to Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park and Dead Horse State Park — all Dark Sky Parks.
Tarantula Ranch, Beatty, Nevada
One of Nevada’s first vineyards, Tarantula Ranch in the Mojave Desert near Death Valley National Park offers camping, glamping, RV sites and breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
Painter’s Paradise, Randle, Washington
Between Mount St Helens and Mount Rainier National Park, this far, in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by open space and forest trails, with zero light pollution.
Yosemite Colfax Spring, Groveland, California
Close to Yosemite National Park, this campsite on a ridge overlooking the Tuolumne River Canyon has sweeping views and is surrounded by cedar, pine, manzanita and seasonal wildflowers.
The Bus Stop Campground, Terlingua, Texas
A desert campground in the heart of West Texas with 10 campsites and room for small RVs, it’s a good choice if visiting Big Bend National Park International Dark Sky Park.
Observatory At South Park, Fairplay, Colorado
On the edge of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest in Colorado, the
The Observatory at South Park has something most campsites do not — a custom-built 13-inch Dobsonian telescope and a one-of-a-kind dark sky experience.
Glacier getaway 2.0, Babb, Montana
Close to Glacier National Park International Dark Sky Park, this small lakeside property has beachside campsites and wide-open views, trophy rainbow trout and breathtaking night skies.
If you don’t live near any of these, there’s a much larger curated list of campsites good for stargazing for those who want to explore dark skies closer to home.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.