Is there anything better than time spent under a clear and starry night sky? Well, perhaps stargazing and unwinding in some of the darkest places in the land, where there’s little to no light pollution. Welcome to nocturnal tourism, the logical next fad after the rise of sleep tourist destinations and wellness travel built around experiential activities.
It’s estimated that a third of the Earth’s population cannot see the Milky Way. Frankly, many of us reside in cities and urban areas where there’s far more in the way of artificial light than natural light. And that’s a bummer on a variety of levels, from the humbling experience that is staring at the night’s sky to the health benefits and enchanting act itself, one that scratches our collective instinctive curiosity.
Well, people are waking up to the benefits of these dark areas on the map and promoting them through special reserves or rentals located in prime night-watching spots. Sometimes it’s just a good town with very few streetlights, other times it’s a National Park with frequent appearances by the Northern Lights.
Here are some great ways to embrace the newest form of travel, aka nocturnal tourism.
Bend
Bend, Oregon, is a haven for a lot of things, from excellent craft beer and hiking to skiing and stargazing. The town of about 100,000 feels smaller, at least come night, partly because of its intimate downtown but also because there are few street lights and other forms of light pollution.
That makes it one of the best stargazing destinations — you have a great chance to identify that constellation you’ve always wanted to catch. Getting out of town is easy, as there are tons of campgrounds and resorts on the outskirts, and the mostly clear weather means good visibility most nights of the year.
Sedona
A bona fide Dark Sky Community, Sedona often touts clear skies and tremendous views from its high-elevation vantage point. Not only do you get panoramas of galaxies and planets, but you get them before a cool foreground of desert rock ledges and plateaus. The city offers formal tours, but you can also create your own with little more than a car and the desire to get away from the central part of town.
Dark Sky Reserve
Located in Idaho, the Dark Sky Reserve is the nation’s first Gold-Tier destination of its kind, recognized internationally. It’s massive, made up of some 906,000 square acres of mostly public land located within the Sawtooth National Forest.
It’s set in a primarily rural area, and the municipalities that do exist in the region tend to embrace minimal light ordinances. Highways 21 and 75 carve through much of the reserve, and you can create your own DIY adventure within its boundaries.
There are ample campgrounds and even hotels like Redfish Lake Lodge and Smiley Creek Lodge, with RV sites and yurts, among other options.
Voyageurs National Park
This remarkable National Park in northern Minnesota is home to lakes, loons, moose, the woods, and even wolf packs. It’s also an oasis for the stargazer, with next to no outside light seeping in. It’s one of the darkest National Parks out there, often showcasing the breathtaking Aurora Borealis.
It’s Minnesota’s only International Dark Sky Park, and the NPS has a host of programs to help you enjoy those electric evenings. Perhaps best, it’s almost a two-for-one with all the water around, as you get both the night sky and the reflection.
Prime rental houses
The HomeExchange is one of a few but growing number of lodging outlets catering to nocturnal tourism. Here are a few of the top recommendations:
This house is 5,000 square feet and sits on 100 feet of private ocean in Casco Bay outside of Portland. Stargazing is grand here, and during certain times of the year, you can even catch the Northern Lights.
Mountain Retreat in Washington
Located near North Cascades National Park, this modern luxury cabin of sorts touts huge windows a big, tree-lined views of the skies. It’s a great spot for cookouts and hiking by day and watching meteor showers at night.
With five bedrooms, this is the ultimate countryside getaway for groups looking to enjoy the night sky. It’s set near Bass Lake with direct access to some 700 acres of public land. There’s even a hot tub, a great means of staring in style come evening.
Etiquette
There are some things you can do to keep the light pollution to a minimum.
- Watch your own light usage and try to keep devices on low or red light settings when possible.
- Be aware of any fire restrictions and consider other heat sources that aren’t as bright during the night.
- Get a good headlamp with lots of settings and only have it on when needed.
- If driving, only use your brights when necessary and watch for wildlife.
- When stationery, consider high-functioning lanterns with dimmer settings and great packability.
Remember, too, that part of the joy of stargazing is the peace and quiet, too. Even when you’re in one of the best stargazing destinations, keep noise pollution to a minimum. The only soundtrack you need is that of the chirping crickets, hooting owls, and windswept tree branches.
