Best Places for Stargazing

NPS / T. Jurado

When the Sun Goes Down, Dive into the Sea of Stars Overhead.

Words Melanie Faz  |  Photo Courtesy to Big Bend National Park

While summer is known as the ideal time for swimming, its warm nights and clear skies allow viewers to marvel at the starry beauty of the Milky Way Galaxy. Pack a comfy chair and stretch your neck for an evening of twinkling stars and colorful planets. These celestial sites provide an escape from light pollution and up the chances of seeing a shooting star or two. 

Big Bend National Park 
Rugged landscapes and prickly plant life are just part of the beauty Big Bend National Park has to offer. About a 440-mile drive southwest of Austin, Big Bend is on the Mexico and U.S. border, far away from any major city. Bestowed with the title of an International Dark Sky Park, Big Bend’s starry nights possess a distinguished quality that leaves visitors feeling like they’ve traveled into outer space. The park even offers a variety of sky interactive activities like star parties, moonlight walks, and special night viewings.
nps.gov/bibe/index.htm | Big Bend National Park, TX

Enchanted Rock Natural Area
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Enchanted Rock for its scenic hiking trails and rock climbing, but many don’t know it’s the perfect spot for viewing constellations. About an hour-and-a-half west of Austin, Enchanted Rock is a designated International Dark Sky Park. Its rural skies allow the Milky Way to be visible to the naked eye, making it one of the best places to stargaze in Central Texas. Visitors can learn about sky conditions in real-time with the Clear Sky Scale on the park’s website.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock | 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg

Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory
Atop the Davis Mountains in west Texas sits the McDonald Observatory, one of the world’s leading centers for astronomical research and educational outreach. This facility is part of the University of Texas at Austin’s astronomy program but is open to the public and even hosts star parties almost nightly. Several state-of-the-art larger-than-life telescopes are available and serve as windows into the cosmos for curious visitors year-round.
mcdonaldobservatory.org | 3640 Dark Sky Dr., Fort Davis, TX

South Llano State Park 
During the day, visitors can float the spring-fed river or spot wildlife like armadillos and wild turkeys. When the sun goes down, visitors can partake in star parties or marvel at the star-filled night sky at this International Dark Sky Park. This stargazing gem rests about three hours west of Austin. The entry fee is $5 and there is an additional $5, fee to stay after 10 pm.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/south-llano-river | 1927 Park Rd. 73, Junction, TX

Copper Breaks State Park
Located in the Texas Panhandle, a good distance from any light pollution, Copper Breaks is the optimal location for a captivating sight of the cosmos. Known for its variety of hiking trails, Copper Breaks offers guided night hikes for an extra layer to the stargazing experience. During these hikes, hikers can chase scorpions, marvel at the colorful nebulas, and hunt for constellations. Its diverse trails and extra dark nights make it a fantastic choice for both nature lovers and astronomy
enthusiasts.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/copper-breaks | 777 Park Rd. 62, Quanah, TX

Palo Duro Canyon 
Just outside Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon delivers a breathtaking view of space dust on moonless nights. While there might be reduced visibility due to its proximity to Amarillo, visitors can enhance their experience with the help of on-site telescopes or park-offered star parties. Their unique cabins carved into the mountains turn this stargazing trip into a glamping stay.
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon | 11450 Park Rd. 5, Canyon, TX   

Ready for more cosmic adventures? Here are two more stargazing spots near the Austin area.

Dripping Springs
Known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country,” Dripping Springs is an enchanting rural town about 25 miles west of Austin. The town hosts its annual Texas Night Sky Festival every March to celebrate its status as a “Dark-Sky Community.” This title was bestowed upon Dripping Springs following the passing of its 2011 lighting ordinance meant to reduce light pollution. Their dark skies guarantee visitors out-of-this-world scenes into the galaxy.
destinationdrippingsprings.com | Dripping Springs, TX

Canyon of the Eagles Resort
Nestled in the Texas Hill Country near Lake Buchanan, Canyon of the Eagles Resort is home to pristine clear skies, far away from big city lights. The resort’s location makes it ideal for planet viewing, so the Eagle Eye Observatory was built. The observatory has two telescopes on-site for guests to experience and is open to the general public one Saturday per month.
canyonoftheeagles.com | 16942 Ranch Rd 2341, Burnet, TX

Did you know the most popular and active meteor shower of the year is right around the corner? On August 13, the Perseids meteor shower peaks at about 150 meteors an hour!