Some states have all the luck – they have several national parks and pristine night skies above. A few that come to mind are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. But don't overlook Nevada, the neighbor to the west! Nevada is home to just one national park, Great Basin, and it too is an epic stargazing location...

For a place with death in its name, Death Valley National Park is surprisingly full of life. Vegetation persists even in the driest, harshest climates; birds, bats, and bugs thrive in their little niches within the ecosystem; there are even springs and creeks where vegetation and animals flourish in the hottest place on earth. And that's all just describing the daytime – Death Valley is more full of life at night, when cooler temperatures bring animals out of holes where they escape the heat all day and stars whirl overhead...

Bryce Canyon is one of the more underrated national parks in Utah, according to many travelers. It's often overshadowed by its extremely popular neighbor, Zion National Park. While Bryce Canyon might seem like it doesn't have as much to offer, it definitely does. From hiking among the hoodoos to stargazing at night, Bryce Canyon has it all, including one of the oldest astronomy programs in the nation – all of which make it one of the best national parks for stargazing...

Hawaii may not have many national parks, but the ones it does have are stunning. On the Big Island, there's Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the most reliably active places to experience volcanic activity and see the scars and changes it leaves behind. Then there's the only other national park in Hawaii, Haleakalā, on the island of Maui....

Towering above the landscape, Mount Rainier is the most dramatic and arguably most beautiful of the Cascade volcanoes. This mountain range stretches from northern California to southern British Columbia in Canada – and is dotted by old, sleeping volcanoes including Mount Rainier. Of the extinct volcanoes that draw hikers, mountaineers, and outdoors-folk...

They call it flyover country – the Great Plains. For the most part, they’re sweeping, rolling plains of agricultural land with little beyond rivers and roads to punctuate them. But in the heart of South Dakota, there’s a special geologic area that has drawn travelers for thousands of years. It’s called the Badlands, for the harshness of the landscape – but they’re definitely not bad. And a portion of this area is protected as Badlands National Park, one of the best national parks for stargazing in the U.S. Badlands National Park is a special stargazing destination for a number of reasons, including its remote location far from light pollution and major…

The Golden State is home to many wonders, and this is no better encapsulated than in the nine national parks in California. There you’ll find towering Redwoods, steaming fumaroles, otherworldly Joshua Trees, and the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite. I’ve been fortunate to visit many national parks in my life so far – and go stargazing in nearly as many of them. Pinnacles holds a special place in my heart, as it’s my favorite national park in California. After a day spent hiking, exploring the caves, and watching the Condors ride the thermals, Pinnacles delights after dark since it’s far from any big California cities and far less-visited. If you’re intrigued…

Yosemite is one of the most popular national parks – it's also an epic stargazing destination! Here's how ot plan a Yosemite stargazing trip.

If you're looking for breathtaking night sky views and daytime vistas, there's nowhere quite like Arches National Park. It's immediately obvious what makes this natural wonderland worth protecting – and that includes the sky at night. This is part of why Arches is one of the best national parks for stargazing, and many people plan Arches stargazing trips each year...

Big Bend National Park is one of the largest and most remote National Parks in the lower 48 – it's also one of the best national parks for stargazing! This mountain desert park offers a unique look at the geological history of North America while providing numerous hiking and outdoor opportunities and some of the darkest skies in the continental United States...