Stargazing in Virginia

Virginia has some of the best stargazing on the East Coast, with many wide-open spaces free of light pollution as well as high-tech observatories open to the public. Plan a Virginia stargazing trip near you and channel your inner astronomer. 

Know Before You Go: Be sure to check the forecast before you go, as stargazing activities are weather-dependent. 

DARK SKY PARKS & DESTINATIONS

Virginia has the most Dark Sky Parks east of the Mississippi, with Shenandoah National Park and four state parks officially designated International Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association. Locations like Staunton River State Park, James River State Park, and Natural Bridge State Park have strict outdoor lighting policies to ensure exceptionally dark skies, which draw stargazers to astronomy programs throughout the year. 

Shenandoah National Park

Free of light pollution and development, Shenandoah National Park is a premier destination for stargazing in Virginia. The park offers programs to examine the stars with amateur astronomers and starlit hikes with Shenandoah Mountain Guides. 

Staunton River State Park

Stargazing at Staunton River State Park is a mesmerizing experience, offering some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. The International Dark Sky Park provides an unparalleled view of the night sky, free from light pollution. Visitors can marvel at countless stars with the naked eye or through telescopes during organized astronomy events. The park's serene setting and excellent camping facilities make it an ideal destination for both amateur and seasoned stargazers—stop by the visitor center to borrow a telescope during your overnight stay. 

Assateague Island National Seashore

The undeveloped beach of Assateague Island National Seashore offers completely dark skies perfect for admiring stars, meteor showers, and comets. Add a visit to Chincoteague’s NASA Wallops Flight Facility to see NASA's primary facility for launching suborbital missions, including sounding rockets and scientific balloons.

Meadows of Dan & Primland Resort 

Meadows of Dan in Patrick County, a rural Virginia county with little light pollution, is perfect for stargazing. Try Fairy Stone State Park’s campgrounds, cabins, yurts, and lodges and step just outside and enjoy the dark skies. 

Meadows of Dan is also home to Primland Resort, a LEED-certified luxury boutique resort set on 12,000 acres of the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort’s high altitude, remote location, on-site Observatory Dome, and special programs featuring a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 telescope make it an ideal place to add a little stargazing to your getaway. 

Nelson County

Nelson County's rural yet central location provides an accessible destination for stargazing in Virginia. In addition to seasonal star parties at the Rockfish Valley Community Center, stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts can find dozens of Dark Sky events and destinations throughout the county with the new Dark Skies of Nelson initiative.

Grayson County

Grayson County is the home of Virginia’s highest mountain as well as plenty of parks, cabins, cottages, and campgrounds with spectacular stargazing due to low light pollution. Visit Grayson Highlands State Park to enjoy a front-row view of the stars at night.

Highland County

Highland County is one of the premier dark sky areas in the eastern United States. Check out the Highland County Stargazers Facebook page for information on upcoming astronomical events, including an annual autumn star party featuring amateur astronomers from other astronomy clubs. 

James River State Park

This International Dark Sky Park offers a variety of astronomy programming for prospective stargazers. The 1,561-acre James River State Park has plenty of options for an overnight stay, including cabins, lodges, and campgrounds. 

Natural Chimneys Park & Campground

Natural Chimneys Park & Campground lies at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in Augusta County, far from major light pollution. Although the stray lightning bug may drift by, a clear night reveals a dazzling array of stars in the shadow of the chimneys. 

OBSERVATORIES

Abbitt Observatory 

The Abbitt Observatory at the Virginia Living Museum offers daytime observations of the sun, as well as periodic nighttime views of the stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies, and other celestial wonders through various professional astronomy tools like a ten-inch Meade telescope. Star parties with portable telescopes are held on the second Saturday of each month and during special events, depending on the weather. 

Keeble Observatory 

"The Center of the Universe," as locals refer to Ashland, is home to the Keeble Observatory at Randolph-Macon College. The Observatory houses a state-of-the-art Ritchey-Chretien telescope with a forty-centimeter primary mirror. The Observatory is open to the public weekly when school is in session and admission is free.

Brinton Observatory  

Meadowkirk at Delta Farm’s stargazing programs are led by experts from the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club. Topics range from novice to advanced and are reserved ahead of time. Brinton Observatory features a 12-inch Meade telescope offering stunning views of the Solar System, stars, and some deep space objects during the one to one-and-a-half-hour events.