Thursday, June 17, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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Nevada is home to the darkest skies in the Lower 48, and a treasure trove of remote, dark wilderness within the state allows you to marvel at the cosmos above, even with the bright lights of Las Vegas. The stargazing in Nevada is so unmatched, the state holds two rare designations from the International Dark Sky Association—Great Basin National Park is an International Dark Sky Park and Massacre Rim is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of only seven in the world. Here are some of the best places in Nevada to see thousands of stars, complete constellations, the Milky Way and entire galaxies with your naked eye.
Close to Las Vegas
Rhyolite Ghost Town: Home to the Goldwell Open Air Museum, this should be a priority for night-sky photographers. The area offers some of the most unique landscapes and unusual outdoor art installations. Spend the night at the Atomic Inn, a retro, boutique hotel in Beatty.
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: Just outside of Death Valley Junction, this area’s unique landscape of wetlands and desert offer a peaceful place to observe the night sky.
Tonopah: More than 7,000 stars and the Milky Way are visible from Tonopah. Check out one of the Star Parties at Tonopah Stargazing Park — upcoming events will take place July 17, August 7 and September 18. Spend the night at the beautifully restored Mizpah Hotel for a chance to encounter one of the property’s resident ghosts.
State Park destinations to the east
Cathedral Gorge: Located between Caliente and Pioche, Cathedral Gorge boasts some of the most beautiful scenery, including slot canyons, hoodoos, spires and an infinitely unfolding sky. The geological hotspot offers a dramatic, almost other-worldly setting to enjoy the starscape.
Kershaw-Ryan: Just outside of Caliente, Kershaw-Ryan is located in a lush canyon where wild roses grow freely. This green escape boasts of short, easy trails, ridgeline views and is an ideal location for stargazing.
Beaver Dam: One of our favorite parks for a truly remote experience, Beaver Dam is located just above Caliente and Pioche on the eastern edge of the state. Thickly forested and rich with flowing streams and waterfalls, this is the place to get deep into the Nevada wilderness and enjoy the celestial show.
All three locations are great for camping, especially during the summer, fall and spring, but if you prefer a comfy bed, here are some nearby lodging options.
• Overland Hotel & Saloon: Located in Pioche and near the parks in the area, the Overland is one of Nevada’s best-known haunted hotels.
• Pine Tree Inn & Bakery: Just off Cathedral Gorge State Park, this inn in Panaca is charming, cozy and one of the nicest stays in the area.
Worth the Trip
Great Basin National Park: One of the most famous places in the world to stargaze, Great Basin is well worth a weekend trip. Not only can you see thousands of stars, planets, satellites, the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy, this Gold Tier International Dark-Sky Park has a newly opened Astronomy Amphitheater and hosts an annual Astronomy Festival in September where amateurs and professional astronomers visit from all over to observe the night sky.
A cosmic cruise awaits along U.S. 6, which traces a constellation of stargazing hubs from Death Valley NP to Great Basin NP, with overnight options in Beatty, Tonopah and Ely. Thanks to recently passed state legislation, a new Dark Sky Designation Program will help recognize and protect such celestially rich regions for good.
The Stargazer Inn in Baker is one of our favorite places to stay in the area. This comfortable inn is also home to Kerouac’s Café, where you’ll find great food and cocktails.
Black Rock Desert: The beloved location of Burning Man, this vast desert playa sits atop the remains of prehistoric Lake Lahontan and has wide open sky as far as the eye can see. Don’t miss the natural hot springs at Soldier Meadows.
• Other great lodging options in nearby Gerlach include Bruno’s Country Club, Iveson Ranch or Black Rock Bungalow.
Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary: One of the darkest skies on Earth, Massacre Rim is in the northwest corner of Nevada and unlike any other stargazing spot. The once-in-a-lifetime trip draws visitors from around the world and is home to rare nocturnal creatures that thrive in true darkness.
• Camp at Massacre Rim for free or vie for first-come, first-serve public cabins. Guest ranches are also available, including Old Yella Dog Ranch in Vya.
Pro Tip: Check a moon phase calendar to see when new moons, late moonrises and early moonsets occur to optimize stargazing potential. The darker the sky, the better.
Extraterrestrial spotting
It’s difficult to talk about the state’s skies without acknowledging an adjacent, Nevada-centric topic: UFOs. For extraterrestrial enthusiasts, we recommend a visit to Rachel. The closest town to Area 51, it’s home to the Little A’Le’Inn and is also a great spot for a photo op or lunch that includes Saucer Burgers and Alien Beers. If you decide to stay the night in one of the A’Le’Inn’s rentable units, be sure to take advantage of the free access VHS library filled with an extensive catalog of alien movies.
Do I need special equipment?
No. All locations on this list offer stellar stargazing with or without a telescope, but feel free to bring a portable telescope if you prefer. Binoculars will also work for the average stargazer!
Pro Tip: Bring a flashlight or headlamp for most trips but avoid white light—red light will help your eyes adjust to the dark more quickly.
