This Dark Sky Park In Oregon Has The Best Stargazing In The State

Oregon is for dreamers. It's a place that instills a deep love of the natural world, inspiring adventure and fueling wanderlust. While there are numerous parks and destinations in Oregon that offer sublime sensory experiences, there's one Oregon State Park that truly is out of this world. Near Bend, Prineville Reservoir State Park is the first Oregon State Park to be a designated Dark Sky Park, and the views here are positively perfect. Come and spend an evening stargazing at Prineville Reservoir State Park, and be prepared to marvel at the wide and wondrous world.

Oregon has numerous places to admire the stars; Crater Lake is a popular and well-known spot for stargazers.

But there's another place in the Beaver State that offers sublime stargazing that's truly unrivaled...

...and that's Prineville Reservoir State Park.

When the sun sets on this high desert park, the skies seem to go on forever.

The stars truly shine brighter here, in fact, with Prineville earning the park a rare designation as a certified International Dark Sky Park. The certification recognizes the quality of the park's night skies, as well as the park's efforts to install responsible lighting that minimizes light pollution.

And indeed, when you come here to stargaze, the infinite universe seems to unfold right before your eyes.

If you're staying the night, don't forget to check the park calendar for scheduled night sky programs. And if you're coming in for the evening only, be sure to print an official Stargazing Permit to put on your vehicle dash when you're viewing the stars after hours in the designated day-use area.

Prineville Reservoir State Park has it all: epic recreation by day, and stellar (pun intended!) stargazing by night. Camping is available all year-round, and you can learn more and reserve a spot at the Oregon State Parks website.

Have you visited Prineville Reservoir State Park for stargazing before? This really is something for every Oregonian's bucket list!

Another pristine place for stargazing is, of course, Crater Lake. This National Park really does have it all!