Denver is the ultimate place for a girls getaway. Morrow Observatory Observatory of Bedford-North Lawrence High School (BNLHS). There are also plenty of stargazing apps that can help you navigate your way around planets and constellations, and the Headlands' Facebook page regularly posts about celestial events. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the biggest astronomical events of the year, taking place each August. Van Riper State Park (Marquette County), 906-339-4461 park is prime viewing for stargazers, but some particularly popular spots include the Two Trees Trail, Rock Creek Campground, and This vast terrain of wilderness saw less than 22,000 visitors in 2021, making it the fourth least-visited national park in the US. If you're having trouble finding the stars in the city, the Michigan Science Center in Detroit features the top of the line DassaultSystmes Planetarium, which includes a Digitar II projection system and 13,000-watt Dolby Digital sound system. Located at the very tip of the most northern U.P. State Designated Dark Sky PreservesRecreation passport required for entry Its a popular location for Les Cheneaux cabin rentals, Les Cheneaux kayak adventures, and stargazing campouts. Most highlights appear between March and early December. The U.P. Volunteer Opportunities; In fact, over 99% of people in Europe and America live under light-polluted skies. Speaking of the latter, the park offers one of the best opportunities in the country for stargazing. Port Crescent State Park (about 75 miles northeast of Saginaw) Wilderness State Park (about 12 miles west of Mackinaw City) Negwegon State Park (about 20 Beall Woods State Park. Address: 1900 South Saucedo, Presidio, TX 79845. Why are dark skies important? This highway is ripe with turnouts along the many bays, allowing you to take in Lake Superiors beauty at your own pace and catch the night sky the whole way. Virginia may already be for lovers, but it turns out it's an excellent place for stargazers, too. Dune climbs take place from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. throughout the summer until Oct. 21. You should also avoid times when there is a bright Moon in the sky at night. When you arrive, the Lodge will impress you with how it significantly reduced its outdoor light footprint. Use our hashtag #uptravel for an opportunity to be featured on our social media, website or in our marketing materials. Based at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, it is at the northernmost tip of the U.P. The sparsely populated Upper Peninsula is a star-gazing mecca. You would be hard-pressed to find a better place than this to stargaze or view the Northern Lights in Michigan or anywhere in the 48 contiguous states. List of darkest places in Michigan for stargazing, astrophotography, star parties, and club events. Additionally, we invite you to look at the map featuring accommodations nearby and book your stay in advance. All rights reserved (About Us). July 18, 2015 / 8:00 AM Operated by Emmet County, this dark sky park became one of the first 10 such areas in the world when it earned its prestigious international designation in 2011. Other than that, there is nothing for miles to block out the stars. St. James, the islands only town, is home to around five hundred people. Adams said that it goes beyond the beauty; dark skies are a critical component in habitat for nocturnal creatures. The farther north and closer to Lake Superiors shoreline you are, the better. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE CAMPING HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Get all your fishing information here, including rules and regulations, license info, the weekly fishing report and much more. Anywhere in this 350-sq.-mi. The biggest waterfall is in one of the finest state parks Ive ever seen: Tahquamenon Falls State Park, in Paradise. "Local astronomical observers setting up at Lake Hudson usually use the Picnic or Beach parking areas, as there generally is less night activity there." 4. Located in the East Bay, Mount Diablo State Park is home to an observatory that boasts unbeatable views of the Bay. Canyonlands' countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes, carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries, make it a popular destination for adventure-seekers in the Southwest. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Address: 1775 Port Austin Rd, Port Austin. It's located about two miles west of downtown Mackinaw City. The dark skies in northern Michigan make Charlevoix one of the best places in the state to go stargazing. -Henry David Thoreau. has a unique advantage when it comes to darksky viewing. Stacey Leasca. National parks often let you stay overnight under the stars, hence their motto - "Half the park is after dark". (952) 467-2426. www.mnastro.org. Our states abundance of lakes and natural resources define what it means to have a Michigan summer we go up north, swim off pontoon boats, and camp under the stars. Only four hours north of metro Detroit, this woodland oasis is one of the first International Dark Sky Parks in the world. In an area known for its agriculture, livestock, and flyover state status, the Midwest would seem like the ideal place to stargaze. Where: Silver Springs State Park, Yorkville (about 90 Then spend nights stargazing in the Les Cheneaux Islands while eating smores and drinking Bells (or your favorite Michigan-made beer). State park, historic sites and visitor center events. Much of this is due to the vast openness of the Great Lakes and sparse populations in the north, making stargazing in Michigan one of the best outdoor things to do! Camp at one of the campgrounds or rent a car or moped and head out to one of the dozens of beaches. The IDA column indicates if a site is IDA-certified. Menu. point, Copper Harbor is a tiny town surrounded by not much else. It is an 830-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Part of Hiawatha National Forest, AuTrain Lake is the largest inland lake in the area. This remote park is one of the best places to stargaze on the East Coast and is one of the few International Dark Sky Depending on the night, guests can view deep space, solar objects, and planets. Thompson's Harbor State Park is Perfect for Seeing the Stars in Michigan Posen, MI 49776 Located 26 miles north of Alpena. Negwegon State Park. In other words: extremely low light pollution is basically a guarantee. For anyone who wants to know more about what exactly they're looking at while taking in the night sky, Adams recommends the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar ($12 for an annual subscription). The park operates 24 hours a day and grants free admission. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or contact her via email at ebingham@mlive.com. In an area known for its agriculture, livestock, and Call ahead for observation hours and directions to viewing locations.Port Crescent State Park (about 75 miles northeast of Saginaw)Wilderness State Park (about 12 miles west of Mackinaw City)Negwegon State Park (about 20 miles south of Alpena)Lake Hudson Recreation Area (about 40 miles south of Jackson)Rockport State Recreation Area (about 10 miles north of Alpena)Thompson's Harbor State Park (15 miles southeast of Rogers City). The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 5 Places You Must Go Stargazing In Michigan story, Bells Brewery | 11 Great Things to Know & Do When You Visit, 8 Best Baseball Stadiums in Michigan to Watch a Game, Out of This World (Yet Affordable!) Point Lookout and Milky Way. From there you can take off down a random two-track. Here are some of the best places for stargazing in Michigans U.P. Address: 903 Wilderness Park Dr., Carp Lake. A historic mining town in Calumet, a coastal lighthouse in Eagle Harbor and a forested adventure spot in Copper Harbor. And don't forget to wish on each "shooting Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It gives off little to no light pollution. Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is a 77-acre nature preserve along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This makes it the perfect middle-of-where spot to watch the stars. With the added benefit being so close to home, this 1,140-acre recreation area is perfect for a quick stargazers getaway. To provide some background, the lake was formed about 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Where to Stargaze in the U.S. Johnny Diaz Struggling to see the stars in Miami . Murphy Dome is a recreational site about 20 miles outside of Fairbanks and is the highest point in the area, providing the perfect vantage point for stargazing. Located in Goodhue County, the Blue Ridge Observatory And Star Park, North Carolina. The University of Michigan's Student Astronomical Society runs open houses/public observing nights on Angell Hall's rooftops. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you think these views are stunning in the daylight, just wait for nightfall. I live near Clifford and the stargazing is excellent.. On clear moonless nights the Milky Way is clearly visible overhead. Throughout the year, campers at Twelvemile Beach claim over and over again that this remote beachs stargazing is unparalleled. With so many places for spectacular views, here are five of the top stargazing spots in Michigan that are less than five hours from downtown Detroit. If you are able to stay over, there are many outdoor activities to do during the day ranging from mountain biking, hiking, trail running, golfing, birdwatching, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, skiing and fat tire biking. The skinny: Another park based along the Port Huron coastline (about seven-and-a-half miles of it),Thompson's Harbor is undeveloped and "provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring the park's six miles of trails," according to Michigan.org. The sparsely populated Upper Peninsula is a star-gazing mecca. The park is supported by nonprofit Friends of Thompson's Harbor. Check online for trail maps to the dark-sky viewing areas. The skinny: Near the Michigan-Ohio border, this park offers dark sky observation for those looking to stargaze toward the southern part of the state. After crossing the Mackinac Bridge, take a right to head east. The Most Stellar Places for Stargazing in Michigan Dark Sky Preserves Alpena. Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. It is located in, and is operated by, Emmet County in Northern Michigan. WebSet along the shores of Lake Michigan, not far from beautiful Cecil Bay, this almost-600-acre park is home to pure Michigan natural beauty at its best, both on the ground and in the sky. Island Lake Recreation Area would be an ideal place to go stargazing at night; although it's in Brighton, it has almost a rural feel to it. Double-check to make sure the moon isnt full Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Take a relaxing walk up the RiverWalk and back, or perhaps a bike ride. The Then hop out, find a clearing in the woods, and spend the night counting how many shooting stars you can see. Its also home to the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior! If thats the case, its one with expansive cliffs, Lake Superior extending forever and an incredible view. Denver is the ultimate place for a girls getaway. Marked nature trails guide hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and nature photographers to experience the park throughout the changing seasons.". Give it a try in April when fewer people will be there! However, it is still close enough to be easily accessible for a quick and easy adventure stargazing in Michigan. Go to Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Go to Recreational safety and hunter education, Natural and Historical Education Resources for Home, Collaborative Forest Management: The Good Neighbor Authority, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries), County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils, Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Lenawee County), Rockport Recreation Area (Presque Isle County), Thompson's Harbor State Park (Presque Isle County). Programs run Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as every Saturday and Sunday. There's also a park area near the pond with picnic benches. The best spot to stargaze in the area is easily Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), which consists of Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. Mid Dark Sky Park, Michigan Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, Headlands is known for having an intensely dark sky at night. Tawas Point State Park (Iosco County), 989-362-5041 This would be a great place for a date, as well, as you could end the night at one of the many nearby restaurants. Bortle scale for sites is given where known. The area is a little confusing if you haven't been before, so it would be wise to look up a map beforehand. The 1-mile Dark Sky Discovery Trail takes you straight from the entrance to the official viewing area, where you can see thousands of stars. 9. Where is your favorite place to observe stars in Michigan? You can also catch passing freighters and a glimpse of Canada across the lake. Headlands Park, Michigan Crowning the northern tip of Michigans Lower Peninsula, the dark skies above the Headlands give abundantly year-round: brilliant The planetarium features a Digistar projector, which enables star fields to be projected, and it recently received some upgrades, including a 360 degree experience, a 5.1 surround sound system, and an LED lighting system. https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json. Angell Hall also has a planetarium, and this is one of the best ways to go stargazing "in the wild" in Ann Arbor. Michigan's Headlands International Dark Sky Park is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky. Look no further than North Cascades National Park in Washington. They also explain how they determine what can be an International Dark Sky Park. The spectacular scenery is mirrored in the night sky thanks to extremely low light pollution, making it one of the most magical spots to spend a night under the stars. As the second International Dark Sky Park in the US, Cherry Springs is renowned for its incredible views of the Milky Way. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is just west of Mackinaw City. Emily Bingham covers Michigan life and culture for MLive.com, reporting on history, travel and other aspects of life in the Great Lakes State. All rights reserved. Keep these tips in mind when adventuring to find the perfect spot to search for shooting stars, constellations, or even the Northern Lights in Michigan: Winter is finally subsiding and the nights are getting warmer. Tawas Point State Park, 686 Tawas Beach Rd., East Tawas; 989-362-5041; michigandnr.com, From The Archive:New Research Sheds Light on Black Holes, Lose yourself in the night sky this summer, 5 Stellar Stargazing Spots That Are Less Than 5 Hours From Detroit, June 2019 Food News: The Latest on the Metro Detroit Culinary Scene, Detroits StockX Is Now Valued at More Than $1 Billion, Details on Boyne Mountain Resort and Detroit Hotels for Your Next Staycation. Though metro Detroiters may need to travel outside of the city to get a decent view of the sky, a starry night isnt too far away. For the best stargazing ops, plan your visit on a moonless night. Where is the best place to stargaze in the Eastern United States? These It has nine levels, from WebHeadlands International Dark Sky Park 15675 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 (231) 427-1001 Grounds Open 24/7/365; Admission Free. Shooting Cookie Settings/Do not Sell My Personal Information and America live under light-polluted.! 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