Summer Stargazing: The Best RV Campsites for Night Sky Views 

In many ways, summertime is the perfect time for taking RV trips. Bright, sunny days, filled with endless roadways, leading to beautiful sunsets and clear, starry skies. That description sums up traveling during the summer months, presenting a carefree, fun and relaxing outing. The only difficult part? Trying to locate the best cities and campgrounds for the clearest, unobstructed views of the starry, night sky. The United States sure have some beautiful spots for the ultimate stargazing adventure but finding them can be an equally large adventure. 

Looking for some nights under the New England sky? Perhaps the southwest is on your bucket list. Regardless of which corner of the nation you wish to drive to, there are some optimum RV parks just ready to host your stargazing activity.  Broken down by region, with states listed alphabetically, this list supplies just a few options for a summer’s worth of stargazing opportunities. Hopefully, this article will pinpoint some ideal destinations for you. 

New England 

Throughout the northeastern states, star gazers have the potential to view the Milky Way’s collection of billions of stars, in darker locations. Additionally, with the right tools and knowledge, planets, nebulae and other celestial objects might be spotted.  

Connecticut 

Black Rock State Park 

This park is made up of nearly 444 acres, many of which are open meadows and fields. These wide-open spaces provide clear, unobstructed sky views. Rather with just the naked eye, or powerful viewing equipment, chances are great of seeing what’s in the sky above you. Located near Watertown, the nearest major cities include Hartford, Stamford, and New Haven, CT. 

Pennsylvania 

Cherry Springs State Park 

Located in Coudersport, this remote park is ideal for stargazing. A small RV park, housing just 11 rustic, non-electric sites, this is one of the most natural, picture-perfect locations for sky watchers. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is an included amenity for all registered users and is open from sundown to sunup.  

The South 

Finding smaller towns or state parks within this region is key to landing at a location that isn’t overrun with city lights and buildings blocking the skyline. The south is home to a number of places just perfect for unobstructed, full-access viewing opportunities of the night sky views.  

Alabama 

Conecuh National Forest 

A recognized, dark sky location in Andalusia, Alabama, the Conecuh National Forest offers RV campsites- and the option of boondocking, for even darker skies. This location is rated at Bortle Class 2 and offers more than 60 RV sites. Many with electrical and water hookups and primarily situated at the Open Pond Recreation Area. This area is near all the hiking trails, bike riding opportunities, fishing, and boating activities.  Andalusia is a small city that has been host of the World Championship Domino tournament for nearly 50 years and also offers plenty of golf courses, museums and cultural centers, along with plenty of dining and shopping opportunities.  

Georgia 

Okefenokee Swamp Pastimes 

Okefenokee Swamp Pastimes has an amazing, unobstructed view of the night sky. Guests to this pet-friendly RV campground are greeted with a vast, open sky that is perfect for stargazing. Bring those binoculars and spot the Milky Way, Orion (seasonally) and Andromeda. About an hour outside of Jacksonville, Florida, the Okefenokee Pastimes is the jewel of Folkston, GA. This campground offers 48 RV sites and is conveniently placed at the entrance to a wilderness swamp that covers close to 700 square miles of land, with approximately 120 water trails perfect for kayaking and motorboats. Yes, there are gators. And shy bobcats, raccoons, and a variety of other wildlife. Visit the swamp and take a bicycle cruise, a boat tour, or a hike through the various paths. Enjoy the swamp’s nature during the day and collect star sightings at night 

Mississippi 

Star Gaze Haven 

Hattiesburg, Mississippi is an ideal location to park the RV and count the stars in an unobstructed sky. Star Gaze Haven invites you to discover your southern retreat under the stars. A perfect RV retreat, the website invites guests to experience ‘comfort and adventure’ under the stars.  

Full hookups are available here, WIFI and on-site laundry. But the best amenities are the dark skies around the park. Take in a sunset overlooking the small lake at the back of the park and make a wish on the first star you see.  

Venture into Hattiesburg for a bit of down time at the zoo or visit the historic downtown area. Maybe Biloxi Blues is on your mind, and if so, the city is just about an hour away from the RV park.  

Midwest 

The plains of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska are naturally perfect choices for wide open spaces and clear views of the night skies. Here’s a few places to serve as a jumping off point.  

Kansas 

Goodman State Fishing Lake 

Western Kansas is likely one of the top destinations for vast emptiness, which for the purpose of this article is superb.  This sort of natural background almost makes star gazing too easy. But, here at Goodman State Fishing Lake, there is reportedly little amounts of light pollution and crisp, clear night skies, bringing this location to the top of many star gazers’ lists.  

Nebraska 

When visiting the Cornhusker State, consider a stay at the Merrit Reservoir State Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park. Near Valentine, this location provides an annual Nebraska Star Party each summer. The remote Sandhills location ensures minimal light pollution for breathtaking sky views. As for the RV park, amenities are plentiful, as are additional activities, such as hunting, fishing, picnicking and boating.  

Southwest 

Hot nights and clear skies await visitors to these next two desert locations.  

Arizona 

Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde has received many awards, with the most recent titles being the most impressive: In 2024, this location was recognized by Campspot Awards for being the #1 campground in the United States, the #1 Top RV Campground, and the #1Top Large Campground. In addition to the river recreation, hikes, bike and off-road trails, Verde Ranch RV Resort is part of the International Dark Sky Community, famous for its amazing stargazing locations.  

New Mexico 

Known for dark skies and low light pollution, the Cosmic Campground is considered to be an excellent stargazing location. Nestled inside the Gila National Forest, the 3.5-acres are part of the International Dark Sky Sanctuary.  Clearly view the Milky Way, constellations, planets and countless stars, all with just the naked eye. Additionally, this campground provides telescope pads to stabilize telescopes during usage.  

Northwest 

It should be no surprise that the Pacific Northwest region houses spacious, wide open skies and spaces, just perfect for a night of stargazing. Park the RV in one of these locations and give those binoculars a workout.  

Montana 

Sure, most of the state of Montana provides wide open, empty spaces, just perfect for unobstructed views of the star-filed night skies. One place stands out though in Big Sky Country, however.  Set within the pristine wilderness that is Montana, the Lost Moose Meadows RV Campground provides not only a relaxing getaway, but a front-row seat to some amazing, unparalleled stargazing opportunities. On clear nights, expect to see constellations, planets and even the occasional galaxies that are far, far away (sad Star Wars pun needed). While nearly any month is ideal for this destination’s optimum viewing, a special treat can be seen in August; the Perseids meteor showers provide a sparkling display of shooting start that should be on everyone’s bucket lists.  

Oregon  

Prineville Reservoir State Park 

Throughout this state park, there are 44 RV sites available, surrounded by an amazing Dark Sky Place. Located in Central Oregon, in Prineville, the Crooked River provides plenty of fishing and swimming opportunities during the day, along with one of the clearest, most open skies within the United States.  

Know Before You Go 

While each night’s sky can vary like the weather, being prepared for the best, clearest skies is always important. Search for coordinating sky events in the area you plan to travel to, and set your travel dates around them. For example, this link provides 11 astronomical events throughout the remainder of 2025.  

Being prepared with the proper equipment is also a notion not to overlook. A telescope and/or binoculars might go without saying, but it could be easy to forget staples such as a blanket, chairs, snacks, water, and if in the fall or winter, a jacket or coat. Late night summers could possibly require a light jacket.  

A tip or two to remember: 

• Opt for a red-bulb flashlight or use red paper to decrease the brightness of a white bulbed-flashlight. This will create a crisper viewing experience.  

• Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark, open sky 

• Consider guided tours at various state parks, such as Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania.  

• Avoid full moons, and instead, aim to visit during the new moon phase, for optimum viewing potential.  

Our nation is home to some wonderful, unique attractions, activities and adventures. And stargazing opportunities are just as prominent throughout the borders of the United States of America. Add some, or all, of these RV resorts and towns to your stargazing bucket list and see how many times you can ‘reach for the stars’ this summer.