Get away from city lights

Light pollution matters more than anything else. Even a short drive out of town makes a visible difference, and the darkest skies are often an hour or more from a big city. Use the Find dark skies page to see low-light areas near you, and aim for places that are dark in every direction, not just overhead.

Check the weather and the moon

Clouds are the obvious blocker, so look at the cloud-cover forecast for the hours you plan to be out. Then check the moon phase: a bright moon washes out faint stars and the Milky Way, so nights around the new moon are best. If the moon is up, go before moonrise or after moonset.

Look for an open view of the sky

Fields, beaches, lake shores and hilltops give you a wide, low horizon. Trees and buildings block the sky, and nearby streetlights or parking-lot lamps ruin your night vision. Higher ground can also help by getting you above low haze.

Make sure you can be there at night

Many parks close at sunset, and some land is private. Check the hours and rules ahead of time, and look for sites that allow night visits or have a stargazing area. Go with a friend if you can, and tell someone where you're headed, since cell service is often poor in dark places.

Scout it in daylight if you can

A quick visit during the day shows you where to park, where the ground is level, and what hazards are hiding in the dark. It also lets you confirm the view of the sky before you commit to a late-night trip.

Give your eyes time, and bring the basics

Your eyes need about 20 to 30 minutes in the dark to fully adjust, and a phone screen resets that. Use a red flashlight or a dimmed red screen setting instead. Bring warm layers (it gets colder than you expect), a chair or blanket, water, and bug spray.