Astro-tourism is having a moment in 2025, and a new study from KÜHL has pinpointed America’s top national parks for stargazing. By weighing event frequency, light pollution, Dark-Sky Park certification, elevation and campground access, they’ve named 10 must-see parks, and crowned one clear winner.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada, tops the list. With a pristine Bortle 1 sky, IDA Dark-Sky certification and high-altitude vistas from Wheeler Peak (13,000+ feet), this hidden Nevada gem hosts 53 stargazing events a year. Here, the stars feel ancient and impossibly close—no telescope required.
Death Valley National Park, California, lands second. Its Bortle 1 skies and Dark-Sky certification make for jaw-dropping nightscapes. Though there’s no formal programming, the park’s 12 campgrounds and wide-open desert mean you can claim your own quiet corner under the cosmos.
In third place, Zion National Park in Utah shines with 59 night sky programs between July and December—the highest in the country. Its Bortle 2 skies aren’t the darkest, but still impress. Three campgrounds and towering sandstone cliffs (peaks up to 8,726 feet) create a dramatic stage for stargazing.
Rounding out the top five are Big Bend National Park in Texas and Capitol Reef National Park in Utah—both Dark-Sky certified and known for raw, remote terrain and Bortle 1 nights perfect for self-guided skywatching.
Beyond the top five, the study highlights parks with unique stargazing strengths. Denali National Park in Alaska boasts the highest peak of any U.S. park (20,310 feet) for crystal-clear views. Isle Royale National Park in Michigan leads in campground options, making it easier to camp under the stars.
If you're looking to escape the bright lights of the city for amazing views of the cosmos, then pack your tent and head to these national parks for the best show in the universe.
Best national parks for stargazing in 2025
- Great Basin, NV
- Death Valley, CA
- Zion, UT
- Big Bend, TX
- Capitol Reef, UT
- Grand Canyon, AZ
- Glacier, MT
- Great Sand Dunes, CO
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO
- Olympic, WA