Shooting Stars and Passing Cars - The Best RV Camping and Stargazing Locations

These great stargazing locations for RVers will have you wishing on more stars than you can count!

The open road conjures images of time gone by as tumbleweeds drift across the plains and the distant mirage of the highways horizon beckons all who get behind the wheel and go. Romantic notions abound with each new adventure and the rolling moan of an RV on pavement methodically soothes the wanderlust in each of us who crave travel and are never satisfied until that itch is scratched. And though chasing sunsets can become a full time pursuit, there is always a sense of captivating enchantment that comes after dusk as the night sky spreads itself across the half-dome terrarium of wherever you may be rambling.

Related Read: 10 Romantic Getaways for RVers

The ability to escape the everyday entrapments of ‘normal’ life and push far into lands off of the beaten path is the fuel that feeds the spirit in many of us who are familiar with, or attracted to, the call of a mobile, nomadic lifestyle. An RV set in motion is akin to a ship out a sea, bobbing and rolling to places unknown with the wind and the stars to set a course. Those stars are the subject of this post and whether you are an amateur astronomer or just happen to hunt for shooting stars, the places listed below are some of the best locations across the country to see epic night skies while catering to RVs and the RV lifestyle. It might sound different to base your trip around the chance to stargaze, but nearly all of these spots also offer daytime scenery and excellent camping opportunities. So pack up your telescopes and get ready for a night or twelve under the stars…

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a little known gem in the central part of the centennial state. The park has 3 different campgrounds with the South Rim being the most accessible for RV campers. Electrical and water are available at some of the sites but it’s recommended to make a reservation ahead of time if you desire guaranteed hookups. The canyon itself is an amazing sight to behold with 2000 foot drops from rim to river giving visitors a glimpse of the awesome power of water erosion. In addition to the hikes and overlooks to keep you occupied in the daytime hours, the stars pop out when the sun goes down and quickly turn into a twinkling lightshow making you feel as though you might be able to reach out and grab one.

In 2015 the park was designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association meaning that in addition to being a great location in general to stargaze, the park limits artificial lighting at night to preserve the unpolluted darkness of the area. Watch the Milky Way mimic the river below and see the sparks from your campfire disappear into an endless sea of stars and you’ll know why this has been one of the best kept secrets of all National Parks.

Also checkout nearby: Montrose / Black Canyon KOA


Cosmic Campground, New Mexico

The Cosmic Campground is located in the Gila National Forest in western New Mexico and as the name implies, it’s a great location to camp and stargaze. The location is pretty dang remote but if you’re into astronomy, it is a worthy destination. The nearest light source is over 40 miles away and the campground has several concrete viewing pads that visitors can set up their telescopes on and get amazing views on clear nights (which are almost every night here). Officially, the site is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first of its kind on national forest lands. There are often star parties thrown at the campground to enjoy the views with other celestial supporters and the unspoken rules here are that you limit your headlight, flashlight, and all other artificial light use after the sun goes down to truly experience the magic of the place.

The campground itself is fairly primitive but it’s free to stay for up to 14 nights. Be sure to pack in all of the camp necessities you need as there are vault toilets but no running water or other amenities available. The campground is open year round and do your best to get there before dark to preserve the spirit of the site and not affect the experience of other campers.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

The eastern part of the US may not seem a likely location for amazing stargazing but Cherry Springs State Park boasts a dark sky among some of the best in the world. The park has been awarded a Gold Level Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association and the great skies here are further supported by an infrastructure of amenities that cater to the designation. Private star tours and nighttime photography workshops are available to help amateur astronomers gain better skills and understanding of the heavens above. Camping is available but the sites fill up very fast, especially in the summer months so it is recommended to make reservations at least a few months ahead of your anticipated trip.

Canyonlands National Park/Dead Horse State Park, Utah

These two parks in Utah are nearly neighbors and both offer phenomenal nighttime stargazing and dependably clear skies. Rangers at Canyonlands National Park will oftentimes set up telescopes for visitors to use and this is an excellent opportunity for first timers to view off into the solar system. Another Dark Sky Park, Canyonlands is a perfect basecamp for RVing and sky gazing.

Checkout nearby: Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground

Dead Horse State Park is a relatively small park perched next to a pristine horseshoe bend in the iconic Colorado River. Rangers here often lead full moon hikes and star parties that are informative and exciting while providing a perfect spot to catch a meteor shower. There are a number of RV sites in the park but reservations are recommended as the campgrounds get busy in the summer months.