Hunting and Fishing; Fayette Historic State Park (Delta County), 906-644-2603 On the right is a 2015 light pollution map showing sky brightness at the zenith from World Atlas data. Castle Rock State Park. Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is a 77-acre nature preserve along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Rifle River Recreation Area (Ogemaw County), 989-473-2258 Though metro Detroiters may need to travel outside of the city to get a decent view of the sky, a starry night isnt too far away. Open houses occur on select Friday nights and include rooftop access for stargazing and planetarium shows. When night falls, pull out the sleeping bag and enjoy a clear view of the stars. Beyond the town, the fifteen-mile-long island has nothing but dirt roads, cottages, and thousands of places to watch a million stars. "Skies are generally dark, but skyglow is frequently a problem toward the east, and sometimes in other diretions," according to the Michigan DNR. https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json. People who are searching for privacy and peace with a natural backdrop will love the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center, which is located nearby the western Michigan communities of St. Joseph and South Haven.This retreat center, which was originally founded in the 1930s Camping, hiking, wakeboarding and swimming are just some of my favorite activities. Port Crescent State Park in Huron County offers visitors the chance to view the stars from the tip of Michigans thumb. North Higgins Lake State Park (Crawford County), 989-821-6125 List of Then hop out, find a clearing in the woods, and spend the night counting how many shooting stars you can see. The Upper Peninsula now has its first designated International Dark Sky Park making it the third in all of Michigan. Admission is no cost and open to all ages. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Located in the East Bay, Mount Diablo State Park is home to an observatory that boasts unbeatable views of the Bay. February 19, 2016. Only four hours north of metro Detroit, this woodland oasis is one of the first International Dark Sky Parks in the world. Beall Woods State Park. This blocks a majority of stars around populated areas, 1. For more information, call 989-734-2543. Steens Mountain Wilderness (great hiking trails). Additionally, we invite you to look at the map featuring accommodations nearby and book your stay in advance. Many favor Lake Hudson Recreation Area for its neat beach, picnic area, and equally dramatic night sky spectacle. WebSet along the shores of Lake Michigan, not far from beautiful Cecil Bay, this almost-600-acre park is home to pure Michigan natural beauty at its best, both on the ground and in the sky. There are six other state parks designated as year-round dark sky reserves, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources - including one on the south side of the state - to protect the parks from light pollution. Find camping and overnight lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more. Visitors to the Headlands may experience sightings of the many wild animals native to the area including: bald eagles, osprey, white tail deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and occasionally a black bear. Cindy Hammers Drummond Island Whitefish Point Brimley State Park Pictured Rocks National It is the most recognizable, and an extraordinary place to stargaze. WebThere's something awe-inspiring about the majesty of the nighttime sky and Northern Michigan is one of the best places to enjoy the dark sky. Whats more, whether youre traveling near or farbe it out west (think: Colorado, Texas and Utah) or the Eastern Seaboard (which includes states like Florida and North Carolina), some of the best stargazing spots in America can be found within driving distance of major cities. It is an 830-acre lake with a maximum depth of 30 feet and an average depth of 12 feet. Maybury State Park (Wayne County), 248-349-8390 State Designated Dark Sky PreservesRecreation passport required for entry You can see the universe as it was meant to be seen at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, located in Emmet County in northern Michigan. Throw in the fact that the park welcomes less than 250,000 yearly visitorsand naturally, low light pollutionand you have one of the best places to stargaze in the Midwest. Built on a 9,157 foot summit, Mt. Give it a try in April when fewer people will be there! WebVisit four observatories that offer professional stargazing equipment for public use. Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. -Henry David Thoreau. 1. If thats the case, its one with expansive cliffs, Lake Superior extending forever and an incredible view. Activities: Camping, hiking, fishing, ATV, biking, hunting, picnicking, boating. Follow him on Twitter@BrianManzullo. Angell Hall's planetarium shows are held during every open house, rain or shine, and the first show starts 10 minutes after the open house's start date; each show running about 35 minutes long. About 67,000 acres in Jackson County are part of the Black River State Forest, founded in 1957. The week-long event promotes worldwide stargazing opportunities and the negative impacts of light pollution. Charlevoix. Additionally, they do not have major cities. For more detailed information on visiting the Headlands, Alpena, or Lake Hudson, we recommend checking the destinations' official websites listed in the External Resources below. However, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for when it comes to stargazing opps. The further from a town, the better The skinny: Near the Michigan-Ohio border, this park offers dark sky observation for those looking to stargaze toward the southern part of the state. Texas. Bruneau Dunes State Park is most well-known for its landscape of incredible sand dunes, one of which happens to be the tallest single-structured dune in North America. Red Wings sign Dylan Larkin to eight-year, $69.6 million contract, called it "the strangest park" in Michigan, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Hartwick Pines State Park (Crawford County), 989-348-7068 As you fall asleep each night, you can enjoy an unparalleled view of the stars above. The astronomy fieldlocated atop a 2,300ft high mountainoffers panoramic night sky views. For anyone who wants to know more about what exactly they're looking at while taking in the night sky, Adams recommends the Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar ($12 for an annual subscription). Thompsons Harbor State Park. Used by the Stonebelt Stargazers Astronomy Club. Additionally, interestingly enough, Rappahannockwhich sits at the gateway to Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, just miles from the iconic Appalachian Trailis one of few places on the East Coast where you can see the Milky Way shimmer and shine from above. Located just east of El Paso, Guadalupe Mountains National Park takes up nearly 87,00 acres of the Lone Star State. Expanding metropolitan areas create light pollution. Here are some of the best places for stargazing in Michigans U.P. WebIt is the third in Michigan. We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. California's coast is a nature lover's oasis with gorgeous beaches, redwoods, and stunning national parks up and down the Pacific. With the added benefit being so close to home, this 1,140-acre recreation area is perfect for a quick stargazers getaway. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The only lights youll see along this point of Lake Superior are the small flickers of freighters passing on the horizon. Best of all, the International Dark Sky Park-designated destination sees less than 100,000 visitors per year, which means you likely won't be disturbed by anyone else as you turn toward the heavens. Smith Rock State Park. Where: Silver Springs State Park, Yorkville (about 90 See Painted Hills (John Jay Fossil Bed National Monument). DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. See Painted Hills (John Jay Fossil Bed National Monument). Address: 1900 South Saucedo, Presidio, TX 79845. Best Campsites: Castle Mound Campground, East Fork Campground, Pigeon Creek Campground. Headlands International Dark Sky Park ; +1 231 348 1704 Geauga Observatory Park, Ohio Other than that, there is nothing for miles to block out the stars. Double-check to make sure the moon isnt full, 3. Special "Dark Sky Week" programming here is filled to capacity, but anyone is still welcome to come stargaze; the park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Take a look at the park page to know what nights a ranger will be on the ground. Call ahead for observation hours and directions to viewing locations.Port Crescent State Park (about 75 miles northeast of Saginaw)Wilderness State Park (about 12 miles west of Mackinaw City)Negwegon State Park (about 20 miles south of Alpena)Lake Hudson Recreation Area (about 40 miles south of Jackson)Rockport State Recreation Area (about 10 miles north of Alpena)Thompson's Harbor State Park (15 miles southeast of Rogers City). Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park / Michigan Dark Sky Preserve In Cass County, located at 15122 Monkey Run Street Vandalia, MI, US 49095 Fennville Farm Unit (Todd Farm), 6013 118th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408 James C. Veen Observatory, 3308 Kissing Rock Avenue SE Lowell, MI 49331 Related:Best Public Access Beaches to Spend the Day Near Detroit, First published on July 18, 2015 / 8:00 AM. WebStargazers can visit areas of state parks, specially designated by state legislature as dark sky preserves, 24 hours a day (may not be consistently plowed in the winter). Upper Peninsula is considered the best area to relish in prolific constellation shows. The Angell Hall Observatory & Planetarium, 435 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-3440;lsa.umich.edu, Known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest, this warm, sandy campground is located in Tawas Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. They are best seen late August through early April. The "virtual universe" includes 9,000+ stars, as well as planets and galaxies, all on a 50-foot, 3-story-high dome. * To take full advantage of your night sky experience, make your Michigan state park camping reservation at MiDNRReservations.com. A new show debuts each night with breathtaking dark sky viewing opportunities in the northernmost part of our peninsula. Here are some of the best places to go stargazing in Michigan if looking for a starry adventure: Manistee National Forest stretches across from Big Rapids to the lakeshores north of Ludington. Even though we know more about our universe today, the stars and planets still inspire awe. A lack of light pollution and proximity to the North Pole make for excellent stargazing and Northern Lights viewing. I really do enjoy your tips & advice on things to do in my own State. The Zion site offers unobstructed views away from light pollution that the city On certain evenings, you can even see the Northern Lights from here. Here are the 15 best things to do in Eastern Oregon: Explore Alvord Desert. And don't forget to wish on each "shooting Webbest places to see the northern lights in ct best places to see the northern lights in ct. google mountain view charge cash app; wect news bladen county; best places to see the northern lights in ct; best places to see the northern lights in ct. danville jail mugshots; marlin 1898 stock; 4. Valley View Based at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor, it is at the northernmost tip of the U.P. WHERE TO SEE THE STARS Emily Bingham covers Michigan life and culture for MLive.com, reporting on history, travel and other aspects of life in the Great Lakes State. WebFind the best dark sky places in MI for stargazing and night-sky viewing. To provide some background, the lake was formed about 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. This northern Minnesota park, located close to the Canadian border, is already known for its stunning forestry and lakes. There's a pond area that would be perfect for stargazing, or you could bike along the trails while admiring the stars, too. Enjoy a Natural Escape at the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center. The lodge property is open to the public at night all year round you do not need to stay overnight to experience the Dark Sky Park. Local stargazers suggest finding a shallow hill as humidity, which can fog the view of the night sky, often decreases noticeably with as little as a 35- or 40-foot increase in elevation. Judd Patterson/International Dark-Sky Association. Stacey Leasca. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or contact her via email at ebingham@mlive.com. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Discover and book the best Dark Skies campgrounds in state parks, national parks, Calling all stargazers: It's International Dark Sky Week and with tonight's new moon allowing for extra-dark skies the next few nights, it's prime time (weather permitting!) Most highlights appear between March and early December. Then, when the stars fill the night sky, look upward at the luminous freckles above Lake Superior. WebNaturally, Alaska comes to mind first as the most northern and arctic of all fifty states. 2023 www.freep.com. They also have a program with plenty of events throughout the year, like Star Light Trivia on Friday nights. Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 734-475-8307. Ultimate: the best achievable or imaginable of its kind. Free shipping for many products! Website:Friends of Thompson's Harbor website. Bay City State Recreation Area (Bay County), 989-684-3020 There is ample parking and vault Thats around forty miles of vast forests dotted with an occasional small town. You can also catch passing freighters and a glimpse of Canada across the lake. Hosted by National Lakeshore park rangers and members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society, Star Parties at Sleeping Bear Dunes feature a drop-in telescope and information stations for all star-related questions. The biggest waterfall is in one of the finest state parks Ive ever seen: Tahquamenon Falls State Park, in Paradise. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. The skinny: Near the tip of Michigan's thumb along Saginaw Bay, this park has "565 acres of woods, offer excellent hunting opportunities, wet lands and the best sand dunes and beaches on the eastern side of the state," according to Michigan.org. Murphy Dome is a recreational site about 20 miles outside of Fairbanks and is the highest point in the area, providing the perfect vantage point for stargazing. Then spend nights stargazing in the Les Cheneaux Islands while eating smores and drinking Bells (or your favorite Michigan-made beer). Stargazing in Chicago. Then, summertime is famous for the splendid Milky Way. "It's about protecting the human imagination," said Mary Stewart Adams, Headlands' program director, who helped spearhead the effort to achieve the designation.