A night spent gazing at the nighttime sky, counting stars and searching for constellations, is time well spent. Anyone can stargaze without traveling beyond their own backyard. However, for a one-of-a-kind stargazing experience, make your way to this quaint park in Pennsylvania. It has some of the darkest skies on the Eastern Seaboard.
Officially a dark sky park in Pennsylvania since 2000, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the state's tinier state parks, tallying just 82 acres.
However, you don't need a ton of space to admire the nightly show in the sky. The park boasts some of the darkest skies on the Eastern Seaboard, making it a prime destination for stargazing.
Perched 2,300 feet atop a mountain, Cherry Springs State Park offers sweeping 360-degree views of the sky.
Because it's predominately flanked by forest, the park is free of light pollution, making views of the nighttime sky crystal clear.
The dark sky park offers several stargazing sections for visitors - one for the casual stargazer and one for serious astronomers. There's also rustic camping.
If you just enjoy gazing at the nighttime sky, score a space at the Night Sky Public Viewing Area. It's designated for those who want to view the sky for just a few hours.
Bring a red filter or cover your flashlight in this area. White light is allowed, but the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recommends a red filter.
The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is for those stargazers who bring along equipment and plan to spend the night in the field.
You are not allowed to have white light in this area. Registration and a fee are required.
Small fires are allowed in the rustic campground, which is ideal if you just want to spend the night stargazing in a casual setting. Pitch a tent for a night of gazing at the stars.
Learn more on the Cherry Springs State Park website.
Have you gone stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania? Share your experience in the comments! For more outdoor fun, visit one or more of these six little-known parks in Pennsylvania.
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