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Mar 6, 2024 · Navigate the night sky with the Arizona Dark Sky Map. Find the most spectacular stargazing spots and enjoy Arizona's stunning celestial views.
Find the best dark sky places in AZ for stargazing and night-sky viewing. Light pollution maps, Bortle maps, and list of parks and IDS-certified locations.
Why is Arizona such a wonderful place for stargazing? Clear skies and diverse geography set the stage, and many of our communities provide sound stewardship for Dark Skies. Fun fact: The 'Four Corners' region of the United States has the most IDA Dark Sky Communities in the world.
- Map of Where to Go Stargazing in Arizona
- Arizona Sky Village
- Chiricahua National Monument
- Grand Canyon
- Kartchner Caverns State Park
- Kitt Peak National Observatory
- Lowell Observatory
- Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
By popular request, I’ve added a map to this post to help make it easier to understand where each of the best spots for stargazing in Arizona can be found. I hope this helps you plan the ultimate stargazing trip!
If you want dark skies 24/7, there’s one place you can find it: Arizona Sky Village. This community is so dedicated to protecting the dark skies that it’s one of the best places in the country to see the stars as a result. Don’t be surprised if you meet amateur astronomers and astrophotographers if you spend an evening in Arizona Sky Village. It’s ...
Most people come to Chiricahua National Monumentto marvel at the towering mountain ranges that dot the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. However, the park is a top-tier location in Arizona to look up at the stars. In 2021, Chiricahua National Monument was designated an International Dark Sky Park, thanks to the night sky quality and lack of light pol...
Both Grand Canyon National Parkand nearby Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument are certified Dark Sky Parks, but we don’t need to tell you that this is one of the most popular stargazing spots in the whole United States. The Grand Canyon draws astrotourists all year long, especially in the month of June when they host their annual star party. T...
As the name suggests, the magic happens underground in Kartchner Caverns State Park. But this park has a few surprises going on above ground as well. Kartchner Caverns State Park enjoys a privileged location in the Sonoran Desert, isolated from the pesky city lights. There are campgrounds and cabins where you can spend the night and head out to dis...
Kitt Peak is a major observatory just over 50 miles from Tucson, Arizona. It is considered to be the single most diverse collection of astronomical instruments in the northern hemisphere. Kitt Peak is home to 22 optical telescopes and two radio telescopes, and its visitor center is open to the public on a daily basis.
Lowell Observatory is located outside Flagstaff, the closest large city to the Grand Canyon. Among those who love astronomical history, it’s also known by a specific nickname: “The Home of Pluto.” You see, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered the dwarf planet Pluto from Lowell Observatory in 1930! Today, you can visit Lowell Observatory to learn mo...
McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a 21,099-acre area of desert land surrounded by mountains, close to Phoenix. While you might worry about the light pollution from Arizona’s biggest city, the huge size of McDowell Mountain Regional Park means you’re pretty well protected from any city lights. You’re almost guaranteed to get a clear, open view of t...
If you can imagine one of the country’s most iconic landscapes, it might be Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This stunning landscape was carved by wind and water over the millennia, today it’s a massive open space with rock formations to admire during the day – and outrageously beautiful night skies overhead at night. Monument Valley is part of ...
Mount Lemmon SkyCenteris known for having some of the largest public telescopes in the country. They also offer stargazing events on virtually every night of the year. This is simply one of the best stargazing spots in Arizona – and really, in the country! – and is a place you can’t afford to miss.
Apr 12, 2023 · Arizona proudly offers 12 national and state parks that are certified as Dark Sky parks. On a clear night, visitors can see a sky awash in stars, double stars, star clusters and even the planets Mercury, Mars and Jupiter. And yes, Arizona’s own natural wonder of the world is on the list!
Jan 9, 2024 · Arizona has over 20 dark sky locations encompassing cities, communities, national parks, and urban night skies. Here is everything you need to know about the Dark Sky Places and where you can find them in Arizona.
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Jan 13, 2020 · Arizona has 10 International Dark Sky Parks, including Grand Canyon National Park and Parashant National Monument in the north, Kartchner Caverns State Park and Tumacácori National Historic Park in the south, and Petrified Forest National Park in the east.
