Cathedral Gorge: Located between Caliente and Pioche, Cathedral Gorge boasts some of the most beautiful scenery, including slot canyons, hoodoos, spires and an infinitely unfolding sky. The geological hotspot offers a dramatic, almost other-worldly setting to enjoy the starscape.

Kershaw-Ryan: Just outside of Caliente, Kershaw-Ryan is located in a lush canyon where wild roses grow freely. This green escape boasts of short, easy trails, ridgeline views and is an ideal location for stargazing.

Beaver Dam: One of our favorite parks for a truly remote experience, Beaver Dam is located just above Caliente and Pioche on the eastern edge of the state. Thickly forested and rich with flowing streams and waterfalls, this is the place to get deep into the Nevada wilderness and enjoy the celestial show.

Rhyolite Ghost Town: Home to the Goldwell Open Air Museum, this should be a priority for night-sky photographers. The area offers some of the most unique landscapes and unusual outdoor art installations. Spend the night at the Atomic Inn, a retro, boutique hotel in Beatty.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: Just outside of Death Valley Junction, this area’s unique landscape of wetlands and desert offer a peaceful place to observe the night sky.

Tonopah: More than 7,000 stars and the Milky Way are visible from Tonopah. Check out one of the Star Parties at Tonopah Stargazing Park — upcoming events will take place July 17, August 7 and September 18. Spend the night at the beautifully restored Mizpah Hotel for a chance to encounter one of the property’s resident ghosts

Great Basin National Park: One of the most famous places in the world to stargaze, Great Basin is well worth a weekend trip. Not only can you see thousands of stars, planets, satellites, the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy, this Gold Tier International Dark-Sky Park has a newly opened Astronomy Amphitheater and hosts an annual Astronomy Festival in September where amateurs and professional astronomers visit from all over to observe the night sky.

Black Rock Desert: The beloved location of Burning Man, this vast desert playa sits atop the remains of prehistoric Lake Lahontan and has wide open sky as far as the eye can see. Don’t miss the natural hot springs at Soldier Meadows.

Massacre Rim Dark Sky Sanctuary: One of the darkest skies on Earth, Massacre Rim is in the northwest corner of Nevada and unlike any other stargazing spot. The once-in-a-lifetime trip draws visitors from around the world and is home to rare nocturnal creatures that thrive in true darkness.

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