The grounds, trails, and viewing areas at Headlands are open 24 hours a day, every day. Set up camp at one of these three parks, and you’ll be guaranteed of a starry show so bright that you’ll forget all about those far off city lights. Grab your binoculars and watch the heavens put on a show at these Dark If you need assistance with your Escapees RV Club membership, please call us at 936-327-8873 or email us at clubbusiness@escapees.com. An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or […] Joe has been camping across the U.S. from coast to coast and makes a point to stop at national landmarks along the way. Your email address will not be published. International Dark Sky Places are spots across the globe that are recognized not only for their exceptionally clear skies, unfettered by artificial light pollution, but also as locations where community or park leaders are dedicated to “excellent stewardship of the night sky.”. There are numerous campgrounds within a 15-minute drive of Headlands Dark Sky Park, in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Make plans soon to discover how bright the night skies can be when you choose an RV campground with prime stargazing opportunities. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan. They also offer great stargazing programs and star parties (check with the Visitor Center for details). Clean, modern, newly tiled-remodeled restrooms, hot showers, sanitary station. There’s something about seeing the Milky Way rise or watching meteor showers streak across the sky that reminds us of our small place in this vast universe. Cosmic Campground, in Gila National Forest in New Mexico, has been designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, thanks to its 360-degree views and its distance from city lights. Visitors are welcome to stay out through the night for dark-sky viewing opportunities, but camping is not permitted. I’ll leave you with one more idea for making stargazing a part of your camping adventures. Call the visitors center at JTNP for information. We all know that Texas has some serious sky that feels a little bit larger-than-life…just like everything in Texas. How to Find and Select an RV Park or Campground, Finding and Enjoying Farmers Markets While Traveling. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, Michigan. 100 grassy, open or shaded sites for trailers or tents. We were at both of these parks during the month of April last year and it was perfect. When not on the road, she lives in the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. If you’re a lover of astronomy, or simply want to see the incredible beauty of a star-filled night, then it’s time to plan a trip to one of the United States’ Dark Sky Places. We attended programs during the winter in January. Discover 89 cabins to book online direct from owner in Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City. The campsites in this state park are nice, but it is the dark … All About Overnighting in Rest Areas. Camp near an observatory and take advantage of high-powered telescopes to view the stars during public presentations. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City: Address, Phone Number, Headlands International Dark Sky Park Reviews: 4.5/5 United States Michigan (MI) Ready to get planning? Open Year-Round. 100 grassy, open or shaded sites for trailers or tents. Campendium is an Amazon Associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Marathon Motel and RV Park, in Marathon, Texas has amateur astronomers with a nice telescope. Vacation rentals available for short and long term stay on Vrbo. A conversation with Mary Stewart Adams, Director – The Headlands Dark Sky Park For visitors coming to the Mackinaw Area and may have never heard of a “Dark Sky Park,” what is it and what should they expect? Okefenokee Pastimes in Folkston, GA is also a dark park, they are working on their own dark sky certification. This Southern California alpine secret sits high above the Southern California basin with views reaching to Catalina Island off the Pacific coast. Choose from more than 193 properties, ideal house rentals for families, groups and couples. East coasters, don’t you dare think that we forgot about you. Units like tents … Why not do both? © 2021 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Camped in nearby town & drove into park for program. I attended an evening program with ranger who provided larger scopes. Admission for the approx 1-1/2hr is $5 per person to help offset the many thousands of dollars we have invested in the equipment and star facilities, each attendee will be emailed pictures taken at the end of the star gazing session for a permanent memory of what you saw that night courtesy of Pastimes Astrophotography (this is included in your admission charge, at no extra fee). You won’t drive past Great Basin National Park by accident; you’ll need to seek it out. The sky over these locations, on a clear night, will be like nothing you’ve seen before. This 500-acre state park has hardwood forests, an 80-acre lake, and plenty of camping for a weekend of dark skies. Cancel free on most hotels. Campers will find a rustic campground there, with exceptional opportunities to view planets, constellations and other celestial phenomena. In Florida, you can make your way to Big Cypress National Preserve, just north of Everglades National Park, to get a different type of stargazing than watching for the glitterati on the Miami Beach boardwalk. About two hours south of Stanley, you’ll find another Dark Sky Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument. A public park in Emmet County, Michigan The park offers ranger-led stargazing programs, or you can make your own magic, simply studying the stars above your campsite. Stay up-to-date with Club news, blog posts, events, and more. There are numerous campgrounds within a 15-minute drive of Headlands Dark Sky Park, in Mackinaw City, Michigan. In south-central Florida, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Park is known for its spectacular stargazing and birdwatching. Dark Sky Places are “land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights,” according to the International Dark-Sky Association, and you’re unlikely to find them near big, bright cities. Explore an array of Headlands International Dark Sky Park vacation rentals, including cabins, houses & more bookable online. She loves dirt roads, alpine meadows, hot springs, and powder days. Here’s where you’ll find the best of Dark Sky Park camping in the United States: It should come as no surprise that southern Utah has a wealth of Dark Sky camping. Escapees Lobby Hours In the interest of doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, our lobby will be closed and all tours of Escapees headquarters are cancelled until further notice. Along its corridor, you’ll find canoe and kayak outfitters, campsites, hiking trails, rock climbing routes, cabin rentals, towering limestone bluffs, quiet pools and whitewater rapids, an elk herd, and historic areas. If you’re looking for that perfect spot to name every constellation above, look no further than these destinations. Set up camp and then take your red-filtered flashlights, lawn chairs and passion for studying the heavens, and spend a night at the Headlands watching the stars. COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) Notification - For information on vaccines and other info affecting members and RVers, please click here. Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a 550-acre woodland located on the straits of Mackinac in Emmet County. I don’t recall the name of the group that runs the observatory. Plan to visit Headlands International Dark Sky Park, United States. When the parking lot near the facility fills up, traffic will be … A Southwestern wilderness spot, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, has also taken pains to keep light from interfering with stargazing and the nocturnal habits of birds and animals. You may stay in the park all night but not to sleep! Great Basin NP is another Dark Sky campground. No camping, but the park is open 24/7 year 'round, with five miles of trails throughout the property. Camping here is primitive, but visitors can choose their own campsite, meaning true peace and quiet in the spots that you can find. By taking steps to minimize artificial light pollution, these special places make it possible for campers to see constellations, comets and meteor showers unhindered. Another great spot in New Mexico is El Morro National Monument, a short drive off Highway 40 between Albuquerque and Flagstaff, which offers unobstructed views of the sky. - National Park, National Forest, State Park, The Best Campgrounds to Experience a Dark Sky Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, The Only RV Setup and Teardown Checklist You’ll Ever Need. The World’s ninth International Dark Sky Park located in Mackinaw City With deep dark skies overhead, the vast expanse of Lake Michigan to the west, bustling Mackinaw City to the east and 600 acres of pristine, old-growth forest, the Headlands park property is a gem. Georgia’s Stephen C. Foster State Park, surrounded by Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, has earned the honor of “International Dark Sky Park,” thanks to the lack of light pollution in the swamp. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2018 Escapees, Inc. All rights reserved. This was on the way to Big Bend National Park. If you’ve never spent a night viewing the night sky above Chaco Culture National Historic Park, get that booked as soon as possible. Choose a Campground Step 1 of 5 Park: Arrival Date: 2021 Departure Date: 2021 # of People: Month at a … Central Idaho was recently named an International Dark Sky Reserve, one of only 16 spots in the world, and the only location in North America to receive that distinction. Your email address will not be published. Sure, California has a lot of people in it, but it has a lot of wide-open spaces, too. We have attended programs at both parks and the dark sky viewing is awesome. Dark Sky Camping in Oklahoma Clayton Lake State Park is a Dark Sky Park that is located an easy drive from Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Shreveport, Louisiana. The park has been designated as a Dark Sky National Park, with minimal artificial light pollution. Earn free nights, get our Price Guarantee & … Here at Campendium, we love nothing more than a great American road trip, and it’s hard to think of a better place to start than the southwest. For availability and reservations, please all (231) 427-1001 or email [email protected] . See 24 traveler reviews, 100 photos and blog posts Quiet location off the highway with extremely friendly owners and a plentitude of services. It’s hard to imagine anything more beautiful than watching the Milky Way rise over Delicate Arch in Arches National Park or gazing at your favorite constellation from the remote Natural Bridges National Monument. 28,984 likes. Thompson's Harbor State Park (Presque Isle County) Wilderness State Park (Emmet County) * To take full advantage of your night sky experience, make a camping reservation at MiDNRReservations.com. While camping in California, there’s no better place for observers to watch the skies than in the vast darkness of Death Valley National Park. Camp Petosega is a treasured family campground on the shores of Pickerel Lake in Emmet County, Michigan. One such place is Goldendale, Washington, where Brooks Memorial State Park pro-vides a campground only 15 miles from Goldendale Observatory State Park. One of six dark sky areas in the state of Michigan, Headlands International Dark Sky Park is the cream of the crop. Big Bend National Park - Photo by: Joe Hendricks. This lava-filled landscape will have you not sure whether to look up or down. Pickett State Park, in northern Tennessee, welcomes campers to set up telescopes in their astronomy field, surrounded by nearly complete darkness, thanks to special “dark sky” lighting used throughout the park. In central Virginia, both James River State Park and Staunton River State Park are a haven for dark skywatchers, and both offer on-site RV parks. Once you’ve left the city lights behind, it is time to find the right spot to set up … More Information on The Headlands Dark Sky Park >> The Headlands on Google Maps >> It was a coincidence that our friends were just moving into the Sturgeon Bay cabin for the week. Petosega is a favorite day-use park that is always free! From the quiet Four Corners to the stunningly deep gorges in the Black Canyon, you’ll find a diverse mix of landscapes in Colorado. Phone: (231) 436-4051. In Georgia, Stephen C. Foster State Park is an island park inside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Ready to hit the road? | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. Headlands International Dark Sky Park Programming Headlands International Dark Sky Park Programming Reviews Things to do Near Mackinaw City, Michigan Want even more? Dark Sky RV Park in Kanab, UT offers up some of the darkest skies in Southern Utah! Click on any location to see camping in and near the park: You need to get a bit off the main highways of 25 and 70 in Colorado to get to those pitch-black skies, but it’s worth the journey. Home / Blog / The Best Campgrounds to Experience a Dark Sky Park. Joe is the marketing director for El Monte RV, a nationwide RV rental company. Joe has been on the road working within the travel industry for over 20 years and greatly enjoys exploring the outdoors. At Capitol Reef, programs are held during the summer usually at the Gifford House which is located next to the Fruita campground. Website. Need more ideas for campgrounds with the best stargazing possibilities? Find the Perfect Spot. Signs in the park direct visitors to designated Dark Sky Viewing areas. Over the course of two years, Headlands park went through a rigorous application process to secure the designation of a Dark Sky Park. Campgrounds are readily available in Twenty Nine Plams and JTNP. There is some parking near the designated dark sky viewing area at the shore and the Waterfront Event Center. I know that I sure have. A Good Sam park on the Straits of Mackinac, with outstanding views of Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, freighter and ferry traffic. For groups or those with their own equipment please call or email the office for your quote. Signs in the park direct visitors to designated Dark Sky Viewing areas. We will be accommodating those who are new to the hobby as well as amateur and professional star gazers, if you are interested in basic Astrophotography please bring your own equipment. A Dark Sky Park is an area of land over which the night sky has been protected from light pollution, which is stray light that spills up into the sky, Secure payments, 24/7 support and a Book with Confidence guarantee Explore the Milky Way stars in Warrumbungle National Park, Australia’s first Dark Sky Park near Coonabarabran. Discover 89 cabins to book online direct from owner in Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City. Location: 15675 Headlands Road Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Click here for a Google map HEADLANDS WEB SITE AND DARK SKY PROGRAMS, CLICK HERE Headlands Trail […] Dark Sky Parks are a little harder to come by in the populated East, but they definitely exist, and you should absolutely check them out. Grand Canyon National Park is just one of Arizona’s four designated Dark Sky Parks. If you need to collect your mail, please visit the service window around the corner of our building. Dark Sky RV Campground, Kanab Utah. Whether our goal is to pass on our love of observing the stars to the children, or to carefully chart the constellations, America’s dark sky parks are the perfect excuse to go camping. The Mighty 5, Utah's string of national parks ranging from the photographer’s favorite Zion to the off-roader's paradise of the Canyonlands, make for a wonderland of adventure no matter your favored pursuits. 28K likes. Location: 15675 Headlands Road Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Click here for a Google map HEADLANDS WEB SITE AND DARK SKY PROGRAMS, CLICK HERE Headlands Trail … This designated Dark Sky Park is home to one of the largest amateur-built telescopes in the world, a 24 ½-inch Cassegrain reflecting model that’s used for study as well as public stargazing events. In May 2011, Emmet County's Headlands property became the sixth International Dark Sky Park in the United States and only the ninth in the world. Hike through trees laced with Spanish moss, paddle through the Okefenokee Swamp, and snag a campsite to watch the stars and planets blink to life at night. The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is not a park for camping. Don’t worry too much about the terminology, because here’s the crux of the designation: in Dark Sky Places, you’re going to see a lot—and we mean a lot—of stars. We are working towards our own dark sky certification and will announce it when it happens. If you’ve never been to Headlands, we advise that you arrive during daylight hours to get a sense of the park (and the parking!). The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a 550-acre woodland located on the straits of Mackinac in Emmet County, Michigan. Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran in central western NSW, is Australia's first Dark Sky Park and the first in the southern hemisphere. Escapade: Escapees RV Club National Rally, RVers Boot Camp – River Vista Mountain RV Resort – Dillard, Georgia. To schedule an in person appointment to establish mail forwarding service please call us at 936.327.8873. At Joshua Tree, there is a private observatory just outside the park entrance station from Twenty Nine Plams. Dispelling the Confusion About Free Camping in Anza-Borrego State Park. The Northern Lights from Wilderness State Park near Headlands Dark Sky Park / Image from The Dyrt camper Chris F. Every year, thousands of serious stargazers, photographers, and astronomers flock to the Headlands Dark Sky Park to catch a glimpse of a night sky that’s 100% free of light pollution from nearby cities. As many may know we are located in one of the darkest sky areas in the Southeast (no or little unnatural light pollution), we have decided that we would love to share one of the age old hobbies and offer an introduction to star gazing every Friday and Saturday night. Utah has both state parks and national parks that have been designated as International Dark Sky Parks. Two other National Parks certified as Dark Sky parks. Receive Escapees RV Club News straight to your inbox! Explore the Dark Sky Park Discovery Trail Near Mackinaw City The newest addition to the cultural interpretation of the dark sky at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park outside Mackinaw City, Michigan is a 1-mile long paved trail from the Headlands entrance to the designated Dark Sky … Welcome to Camp Petosega! Dark Sky Locations: Great UK Campsites for Stargazing Deep in the heart of the UK’s most spectacular forests and National Parks you’ll find the darkest skies in the country. Make your way to the adventurous mountain town of Stanley to be in the thick of one of the darkest skies in the country. Did you like this post? The woodlands include more than two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline and 5 miles of trails that can be explored day or night, as the park is open 24 hours a day every day. Clayton Lake State Park is a Dark Sky Park that is located an easy drive from Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Shreveport, Louisiana. A pair of Southern state parks have also embraced “dark sky” strategies that make observing the stars much easier for campers, as well as casual and professional astronomers. Filled with iconic landscapes and plenty of room to explore, a trip to the southwest deserves a place on your bucket list. You can also bike or walk to Headlands International Dark Sky Park and a Lake Michigan public beach access. To see a full list of Dark Sky Places and to learn more about Dark Sky Parks, Reserves, Communities, and International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the United States, including popular Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Michigan, head to the International Dark-Sky Association. Set up camp and then take your red-filtered flashlights, lawn chairs and passion for studying the heavens, and spend a night at the Headlands watching the stars. You’re going to mean it when you say you’re “sleeping under the stars” in a Dark Sky Place. You can see the Milky Way just above, while you camp with billions of stars. We spent a really nice last night of our vacation eating dinner and catching with them around the fire. Email. Talk about centrally located! Tucked close to the UK's designated Dark Sky Sites, from wild forests to national parks, these are a stargazer's paradise and totally free from light pollution. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania. Headlands International Dark Sky Park: Star gazing - See 304 traveler reviews, 97 candid photos, and great deals for Mackinaw City, MI, at Tripadvisor. SkyPark Camp + RV is located on California State Route 18, otherwise known as the scenic “Rim of The World Highway” in Skyforest, California. It’s in Nevada just west of Utah. With the dark skies in this beautiful part of GA it makes it possible, for all to gaze towards the stars and dream like so many other countless generations before have done. When you’re at the Grand Canyon, it’s tempting to spend all your days looking down into the canyon’s beautiful layers, but once the sun goes down, be sure to look up. Most of these spots are a little bit off the beaten path—places where you’ll want to stock up, settle into your campsite, and spend a while. Camping Boating High Ropes Course News & Updates To view purchase history, click here. Home to the newest Dark Sky Park in the United States, this site near the Grand Canyon offers some spectacular surroundings from which to enjoy fabulous stargazing, with over 150 clear nights every year. Dark sky campgrounds across the U.S. beckon campers with a passion for observing the stars. 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Up-To-Date with Club News straight to your inbox this 600-acre, wooded Preserve near Mackinaw City, Michigan United.. Above, look no camping near headlands dark sky park than these destinations, events, and viewing areas at Headlands are open hours. Ranger-Led stargazing programs and Star Parties and Outreach events ( call the center. You with one more idea for making stargazing a part of your camping adventures groups those. 300 forested acres News & Updates to view planets, constellations and other info affecting members RVers!