Head to This Texas Star Party for Incredible Winter Stargazing (It’s Truly Peaceful)

We’ve all seen stars in the sky, but I promise you—it’s different in a dark sky park. There are many dark sky communities, parks, and reserves across the United States, including several in Texas. Big Bend National Park is the largest dark sky area in the world! 

While Big Bend may get all the dark sky glory, there are plenty of state parks in Texas where you can stargaze. Many of them put on monthly events, and there are a few coming up that might interest you. I’m an astrophotography nerd, and these stargazing events in Texas are always on my radar. 

There are a few star parties in Texas state parks that are worth a road trip. Pedernales Falls State Park will be hosting a stargazing event on December 12, 2025, starting at 6 pm. Abilene State Park also hosts monthly star parties, and the last one for the year will be on December 13, 2025, at 6:30 pm. Bookmark these pages, as they should be updating their dates for 2026 star parties soon.

Obviously, these events are weather-dependent. Hopefully, the skies will be cloud-free so you can have the best view of the stars above. The moon will be at about 35 to 40% illumination that weekend, so you shouldn’t have too much light pollution from the moon.

Set yourself up for success before you go. Blankets and chairs (I’d recommend a blanket so you can lie down), red light flashlights, and drinks will all come in handy. Evenings can get pretty chilly, so make sure you’re bundled up. 

Once you’re set up, give yourself about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust. This is one of the reasons why red flashlights are so important. Most star-watching events won’t even allow a normal flashlight since it will set your vision back, and you’ll have to adjust all over again. I'd recommend getting a headlamp so you can free up your hands. I promise it makes everything so much easier. I should have gotten one years ago.

If you’re hoping to snap some shots of the starry skies, you’ll want a tripod to put your camera on. Most cameras (even your phone) can take some decent photos of the night sky, but having a tripod is key to a clear shot. 

You’ll be with a knowledgeable guide who will lead a short hike to a clear viewpoint, sharing interesting facts about stars and planets along the way. They will point out different constellations and learn about the history and legends behind them. 

Check out all of the upcoming stargazing events in Texas and make plans to attend one (or more) in the near future! The Perseid meteor shower in the fall is one of my all-time favorite events, and even though that’s a ways away, start attending star-watching parties now so you can be better equipped when one of the biggest meteor showers of the year comes to visit.

Check out our ultimate guide to stargazing at Big Bend National Park for an in-depth look at how to capture these celestial skies. And if you need help with planning the perfect trip, head on over to our itinerary planner.