In North America alone there are over 175 dark sky places to explore, and so with that in mind, Unistellar, producer of powerful and easy-to-use smart home telescopes and AR binoculars, has created a guide for amateur astronomers and stargazing enthusiasts who are looking to hit the road this year to explore the great outdoors.
Route 1: Southwest Dark Sky RV Route
Duration: 7–10 days, distance around 750 miles.
This southwest desert route enables you to drive through some of the most spectacular desert landscapes: Arizona, Utah and Nevada. Starting in Sedona, travelers can enjoy red rock scenery and easy-access RV parks before continuing to the Grand Canyon, an International Dark Sky Park with remarkable Milky Way views.
The route then heads to Monument Valley, where iconic sandstone buttes rise beneath star fields, followed by Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the darkest locations in the U.S. thanks to its high elevation and protected skies. The journey ends at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, where dramatic red rock formations and remote desert landscapes create ideal conditions for stargazing from RV-friendly campgrounds.
Route 2: California Dark Sky & Desert RV Route
Duration: 6–9 days, distance: around 500 miles.
Dark sky highlights:
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- The Alabama Hills near the Eastern Sierra
This route explores the California desert’s famous dark-sky landscapes. Beginning near Los Angeles, travelers can reach Joshua Tree National Park, renowned for its rock formations and exceptional night skies. From there, the route continues to the remote Mojave National Preserve, offering peaceful desert camping and minimal light pollution. The journey then leads to Death Valley National Park, a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park and one of the best places on Earth to view the Milky Way above vast salt flats and sand dunes. The trip concludes in the Alabama Hills near the Eastern Sierra, where dramatic rock arches frame the night sky and provide a memorable final stop for RV travelers seeking pristine wilderness and unforgettable stargazing.
Route 3: Colorado Plateau Astronomy Route
Duration 6-8 days, distance about 570–620 miles.
Dark sky highlights:
- Arches National Park
- Moab and its surrounding red rock landscape
- The Colorado plateau
The Colorado Plateau Astronomy Route is a spectacular RV journey through some of the darkest skies in the American Southwest. Starting in Denver, the route heads west to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where the park’s steep walls and remote location create exceptionally dark skies perfect for observing the Milky Way. Continuing south, travelers reach Mesa Verde National Park before crossing into Utah toward Canyonlands National Park, a vast desert wilderness known for its remarkably clear night skies and minimal light pollution. The route then leads to Arches National Park, one of the most iconic night-photography locations in the country, where natural sandstone arches frame brilliant star fields. The trip concludes in the outdoor hub of Moab, an ideal base for stargazing excursions and exploring the surrounding red-rock landscape. Together, these destinations offer a unique combination of high-altitude air, dry desert climate, and dramatic scenery making the Colorado Plateau one of the best regions in the US for an astronomy-focused road trip.
Route 4: West Texas Cosmic Route
Duration: 5-7 days, distance: 460–500 miles
Dark sky highlights:
- Big Bend National Park – one of the darkest skies in North America
- McDonald Observatory – world-class telescope tours
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park – very remote desert skies
The West Texas Cosmic Route is one of the best ways to explore the darkest skies in the American Southwest, beginning in El Paso and heading east into the dramatic desert landscapes of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Known for its rugged peaks and remote location, the park offers exceptionally clear desert skies ideal for stargazing far from city lights. The route continues through the small desert town of Marfa before reaching Big Bend National Park, widely considered one of the darkest places in North America, where vast horizons and minimal light pollution reveal brilliant views of the Milky Way. The trip culminates at McDonald Observatory, a renowned astronomical research center offering public star parties and world-class telescope tours. With its remote landscapes and extraordinary night skies, this route is one of the best RV adventures in the US for astronomy lovers
Route 5: Northern Great Lakes Dark Sky Route
5-7 days, distance: 480–500 miles
Dark sky highlights:
- Headlands International Dark Sky Park – famous astrophotography spot
- Voyageurs National Park – dark sky + northern lights
- Isle Royale National Park – extremely remote
The Northern Great Lakes Dark Sky Route is a serene and immersive 7–10 day journey through some of the most pristine night skies in the U.S., beginning in Detroit and heading north to Headlands International Dark Sky Park, a renowned destination for astrophotography along the shores of Lake Michigan. The route continues into Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula and onward to Voyageurs National Park, where remote waterways and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for stargazing—and even the chance to witness the aurora borealis. Adventurous travelers can also venture toward Isle Royale National Park, one of the most isolated national parks in the country, offering exceptionally dark skies far from any urban glow. With calm lakes reflecting the stars, cool summer temperatures perfect for camping, and vast wilderness landscapes, this route offers a uniquely peaceful and awe-inspiring astronomy experience.
Laurent Marfisi, CEO of Unistellar: “There’s something magical about being outdoors in nature, with the Milky Way above you, looking through a telescope at distant planets and galaxies. It’s a truly unique experience and that’s when our smart telescopes really come into their own in dark-sky regions.”
Tips for stargazing in the great outdoors
- Plan your trip between May and October, when longer and warmer nights make it easier to spend extended time outdoors stargazing.
- For clearer skies and fewer crowds, consider September or October, when the air is often more transparent and tourist numbers are lower.
- Aim for the new moon phase, when darker skies create the best conditions for observing stars and deep-sky objects.
- Limit artificial light exposure while stargazing to help your eyes adapt to the darkness. Wait until at least one hour after sunset to get the best view of the stars.
- Use a small red light if needed, as it preserves night vision and minimizes disruption while observing the night sky.
