Welcome to Nevada: home to some of the darkest skies in the country (and truly stellar stargazing).
Most of the Silver State’s population is concentrated in two metropolitan areas. That means light pollution is scarce and dark sky oases are abundant. Whether you’re enjoying a meteor shower in the Black Rock Desert or exploring the Milky Way at Great Basin National Park, you’re in for a stellar experience.
Pack a telescope, or feel free to leave it behind—Nevada’s dark skies are so dazzling that it’s easy to enjoy them with the naked eye.
Best Places to Stargaze in Nevada
With millions of acres of untamed wilderness and thousands of miles of get-outside potential, the Silver State offers a lifetime of stellar exploration.
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Angel Lake
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The most out-of-this-world sights are reserved for those who aren’t afraid to get a little out there. Some of the best places to stargaze in the Silver State lie off the beaten path.
Northwestern Nevada’s Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area is one of the only Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the U.S. (and around the world) with absolutely zero light pollution—but a four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is required.
For truly otherworldly camping opportunities, head to Great Basin National Park. This official Dark Sky Park features its own research-grade observatory and hosts regular astronomy talks and an annual festival that welcomes casual stargazers, amateur astronomers, professional scientists, and everyone in between. Other popular stargazing locales include Gerlach, Tonopah, Elko, and Dyer. Even Nevada’s metro areas offer front-row seats to the celestial shows that are just a 30-minute drive away.
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The best time of the year to stargaze is from May to September. That’s when the Milky Way’s galactic center is most visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
You don’t need professional equipment to go stargazing here. All you need is curiosity and a clear night. If you have a telescope, star charts, stargazing apps, or other astronomy gear, feel free to bring it along, but anyone can enjoy stargazing with the naked eye. That said, a cheap pair of binoculars is a great addition if you’re looking to up the experience.
Find out which phase the moon will be in for your next Nevada backcountry stargazing trip, too. For the best chances of seeing the Milky Way, a new moon offers the least amount of moonlight to compete with the stars.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
Embark on an adventure of astronomical proportions along the Starry-est Route in America. Park to Park in the Dark takes you from Death Valley to Great Basin via some of the least light-polluted small towns in the Lower 48. Drive by day and settle in for stellar memories nightly.
We’ve put together a handy guide to the best camping spots in Nevada along with full descriptions, road conditions, amenities, and best times of year to visit. Some of the top spots you’ll find there include Cathedral Gorge State Park between Pioche and Caliente, Jarbidge Wilderness Area north of Elko, Angel Lake near Wells, and Death Valley National Park on the southern Nevada/California border. In each of these locations, you’ll find outstanding views of the night sky and, if you’re lucky, maybe even catch a shooting star.
Clear skies and little to no light pollution are the ideal duo for stargazing while camping. Be mindful of how you’re lighting your camp, too: The more lights from you (or others), the harder it will be for the stars to shine. Consider using red light instead of white light, as it’s less impactful on stargazing but still gives you night vision.
Don’t forget to pack for all types of weather, especially chilly nights. A state as geographically large and diverse as Nevada experiences four different seasons—sometimes even in the same day. And if you’re getting off the pavement, brush up on our Dirt Road Code for even more safety and driving tips.
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Why is Nevada great for stargazing?
Nevada’s high elevation, dry climate, and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for clear night skies. Thinner air at higher altitudes reduces atmospheric interference, while low humidity limits clouds and haze. Add vast, sparsely populated landscapes with thousands of square miles of public land, and you get some of the darkest skies in the U.S.
Where is the darkest place in the U.S.?
Located about 4.5 hours north of Reno, Massacre Rim is a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary that’s considered one of the darkest places in the U.S. In fact, it’s so dark that on a moonless night, it can be difficult to identify constellations due to the sheer number of visible stars. Massacre Rim itself is a 1,200-foot basalt rim that towers above Long Valley, a landscape of rock and rolling sagebrush hills. If you’re planning on making the trip, make sure to do your homework and prepare: This is one of the most remote locations in the Lower 48.
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