Great Basin National Park

An official International Dark Sky Park since 2016, the Great Basin is a doozy of a stargazing hotspot. It’s got some of the lowest ambient light pollution in the country, so you can often spy the whole Milky Way and even the Andromeda Galaxy!

The Great Basin National Park in Nevada is known for the beautiful Lehman Caves which visitors can thoroughly explore, serenely dark skies to stargaze beneath, and sprawling parks to set up your tent in.

It is almost impossible to not find an excellent stargazing spot at this dark-sky-approved national park. Great Basin National Park has a variety of altitudes all within reach of a crystal clear night sky that is optimum for taking in a starry display. On a clear summer night, witness the Milky Way that is visible from the sprawling park grounds

Camping, hiking, caving, ancient trees, desert and high elevation

Small but stunning, the Great Basin National Park and the ridges of the South Snake Mountains dash across the eastern edge of Utah with their twisted bristlecone pines and wild sage and juniper. The reserve runs from the crests of Wheeler Peak to the ancient tunnel systems of the Lehman Cave, which are a whopping 550 million years old! Unlike its compadres in the Wasatch and the Rockies, this one rarely gets crowded. So, hit one of the 12 managed hiking trails and get ready to go off-track with bobcats and bald eagles.

Great Basin National Park Lists

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• Best National Parks for Stargazing Witness the extravagance of a dark sky filled to the brim with sparkling stars. From desert landscapes to sandy shores- these national parks share the protected night sky in common. This list includes designated "Dark-sky" destinations that display clear views of the milky way in the summertime, and misty hues of green aurora borealis during the frosty winter. Experience firsthand the magic of our universe in the form of endless twinkling lights and planets at our favorite stargazing spots across North America.
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