Top 5 Destinations for Stargazing in the United States

When you're choosing your next vacation, there are obviously plenty of options, whether it's a beachfront property, a cabin in the mountains, or a brand new city to explore. But if you find yourself wanting to get away from the artificial light and gaze at the night sky, we've got a list of potential destinations for you.

With the rise of astrotourism in the United States, as Americans are increasingly interested in viewing the night sky or celestial events, HomeToGo has put together a list of the 30 best places for stargazing in the United States.

"For those keen to explore what astrotourism across the U.S. has to offer year-round, we hope HomeToGo’s ranking of savvy dark-sky destinations will be a north star for this type of travel," HomeToGo shared in its announcement.

A Rise in 'Astrotourism'

A different form of leisurely travel, astrotourism is a form of sustainable, nature-based travel focused on viewing celestial objects, phenomena, and events in areas with minimal light pollution.

In recent years, astrotourism has seen a sharp increase, with this trend largely fueled by the desire to experience celestial events, like eclipses. As a total solar eclipse prepares to move across parts of the world later this year, that interest has been renewed.

"The astrotourism trend — travel inspired by the night sky — seems set to continue shining in 2026, with American travelers showing growing interest in building celestial events into their vacation plans. As this year’s total solar eclipse prepares to sweep across parts of countries such as Spain and Iceland on August 12, HomeToGo has seen a marked rise in search demand for stays in these destinations. Meanwhile, several U.S. states will offer views of a partial eclipse, sparking domestic curiosity as well," HomeToGo wrote in its 2026 Astrotourism report.

As a result of the upcoming solar eclipse, interest has soared.

"Looking abroad, searches for Reykjavík in Iceland, and Spain's Balearic Islands and Cantabria — all of which sit in the solar eclipse's path of totality — with check-in dates surrounding the date of the phenomenon have more than quadrupled," HomeToGo reports. "For check-in dates surrounding the solar eclipse, Massachusetts and Alaska — both states from which a partial solar eclipse will be visible — have seen year-over-year search increases of +322% and +133% among American travelers respectively."

Best Stargazing Destinations?

The total eclipse might be stealing the headlines this year, but astrotourism in general is on the rise, and HomeToGo put together a list of the 30 best destinations within the United States to get a good look at the night sky.

"From annual meteor showers to planetary alignments, constellations, and crisp views of the Milky Way, the night sky puts on a show year-round — and you don’t have to travel light-years to find an incredible viewpoint," HomeToGo wrote.

"Taking into consideration locations across the United States, HomeToGo has compiled a list of 30 top astrotourism destinations, ranked according to accommodation affordability and proximity to exceptional stargazing spots. These locales combine natural darkness, strong sky visibility, and great value — ideal for starseekers looking to spend less time traveling and more time marveling."

Top 5 List

HomeToGo put together a list of the top 30 stargazing destinations, covering 14 different states, with Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah all making the list multiple times.

You can view the whole list of the 30 destinations here, but here are the top five destinations, complete with an explanation from HomeToGo for why that destination sits so high atop the list.

1. McCall, Idaho: Located by the Payette National Forest and Ponderosa State Park — part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve — McCall sits at more than 5,000 feet above sea level and offers easy access to some of the darkest skies in the United States. Its combination of affordable accommodation and proximity to prime stargazing conditions earned it the top spot on this year’s list.
2. Moab, Utah: Set between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks — both certified Dark Sky Parks — the night skies surrounding Moab are spectacular. Minimal light pollution, dry desert air, and wide-open horizons make it one of the most rewarding locations in the U.S. to spot planets, constellations, and meteor showers. With strong stargazing credentials and well-priced places to stay, it’s easy to see why Moab ranks second.
3. Taos, New Mexico: At nearly 7,000 feet, Taos combines high-altitude clarity with low light pollution — ideal conditions for stargazing. Nearby, the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, Carson National Forest, and the Taos Plateau Wilderness offer access to some of northern New Mexico’s darkest skies. With great-value stays and remote starscapes close at hand, Taos stands out in this year’s ranking.
4. Page, Arizona: Perched on the Colorado Plateau near Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, Page offers far-reaching views and minimal light pollution — ideal for wide-sky stargazing. Its dry desert climate keeps conditions clear and consistent, so with reasonably priced places to stay, it’s a dependable pick for travellers chasing dark skies in the Southwest.
5. Ruidoso, New Mexico: Surrounded by national forest and tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Blanca range, Ruidoso combines high elevation and low light pollution for strong night-sky conditions. Open landscapes are easy to reach, and the town’s quieter setting makes it a great choice for travellers seeking dark skies without the crowds — and without overspending.

Of course, remote camping is always an option, as well, and there are even some places where you can do it in luxury.