West Virginia has long been known for its natural beauty on display in the daylight. But now it’s being more widely discovered that our state has its own outdoor beauty at night, too. In fact, Travel + Leisure just called West Virginia one of the most under-the-radar star gazing destinations in the whole United States. This summer, add stargazing to your list of ways to enjoy the great outdoors of West Virginia!
Recently, Watoga State Park was honored to receive the designation of an International Dark Sky Park - a certification given by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) to land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and a specifically protected nocturnal environment.
Watoga State Park, along with nearby Calvin Price State Forest and Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, are nestled deep in the mountains of Pocahontas County near Marlinton, West Virginia.
The park has recently become known for another rare attraction also dependent on dark skies: Watoga is one of only four areas in the country where synchronous fireflies can be viewed. The park has long been appreciated by stargazers and offers many opportunities for night sky observation.
Watoga is far from the only place in West Virginia to offer heavenly night-sky views. Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak, offers not only breathtaking woodland scenery by day but sublime stargazing for those willing to camp overnight. It is home to Spruce Knob Mountain Center, a nature preserve where astronomers and stargazers gather annually to take advantage of some of the darkest skies in the East.
Green Bank Observatory is known far and wide for being home to the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. Centered in a National Radio Quiet Zone, this high-elevation area is free from interference of any kind. It's also a perfect place to enjoy night skies free from light pollution. The town of Green Bank hosts a number of stargazing events every year, including the Star Quest, which is held in and around the observatory.
There are many other places in West Virginia that are perfect for enjoying the wonder of the heavens. These include places like Blackwater Falls State Park, Lost River State Park, and Seneca State Forest, among many others. The remoteness of these places makes them ideal for clear, dark night skies – not to mention the amazing scenic beauty they feature by daylight.
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