Top 8 Spots in Arizona to See The Milky Way, Constellations, Shooting Stars

The Grand Canyon State is a Certified Stargazing Paradise

Arizona has some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country. If you’ve lived here long enough, you already know how different the night sky looks once you get away from the city.

The dry air, high elevation, and wide-open spaces make it easy to see the Milky Way, meteor showers, and deep-space objects without needing fancy equipment.

If you grew up here but haven’t been to these spots at night, you’re missing out.

Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim & South Rim)

The Grand Canyon became an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, but it’s been a prime stargazing spot long before that.

The North Rim is way less crowded and higher in elevation, so the sky is clearer. The South Rim has star parties with telescopes set up by astronomers.

Visitors can see up to 15,000 stars on a clear night in the Grand Canyon, compared to a few hundred in urban areas. But the North Rim shuts down in winter, so plan accordingly.

Sedona’s Red Rock State Park

Sedona’s strict lighting rules make a huge difference since it was designated as the world’s eighth International Dark Sky Community in 2014. Even inside town, you can see more stars than you would in most other places.

The best way to experience it is to get out of the main areas and head toward Red Rock State Park or Dry Creek Road. The red rocks disappear into the darkness, making the stars even more noticeable.

Winter skies are the clearest, but the air is colder than you’d expect.

Meteor Crater

Everyone around here knows about the crater, but not everyone thinks about it as a stargazing spot. The crater itself isn’t open at night, but the surrounding desert is pitch black in every direction.

Since there’s no humidity, the stars don’t flicker as much, and even faint objects are easy to spot. It gets cold fast once the sun sets, no matter the season. Nights in July can feel like late fall anywhere else.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

Kitt Peak is nearly 7,000 feet up, which keeps it above most of the dust and heat that can mess with visibility.

It’s been an important research site for decades, but it also happens to be one of the best places in the state to see the Milky Way. The road up is long, winding, and full of switchbacks, so driving down after dark is no joke.

Winter skies are extra clear, but you’ll need layers.

Saguaro National Park

If you’ve spent any time near Tucson, you already know that the stars get brighter as soon as you leave the city. Saguaro National Park, especially the Rincon Mountain District, is one of the best spots nearby.

The tall cacti give the night sky a different look compared to other dark-sky areas.

The temperature drops fast after sundown, even in summer, but the park offers night sky programs and events throughout the year.

Petrified Forest National Park

This place doesn’t get much attention for stargazing, but it should. There’s almost no artificial light anywhere nearby, so the sky is completely open.

The Milky Way is bright enough to see the details without a telescope. It’s also one of the best places to watch meteor showers since nothing is blocking your view.

The best times to go are spring and fall, when the weather isn’t scorching during the day.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

This place is already a weird landscape during the day, but at night, it’s even better.

The dark volcanic rock makes the sky look darker than it does in most places. If you drive along the Loop Road, you’ll get some of the best views away from Flagstaff’s glow.

Late summer is a good time to go if you want to see the Milky Way at its brightest. Just be ready for the cold, even in August.

Chiricahua National Monument

Chiricahua is way out in the southeast corner of the state, and that’s part of what makes it so good.

No city lights, barely any traffic, and rock formations that make the sky feel even bigger.

The air is dry almost year-round, so deep-space objects like star clusters and nebulae look sharp. Fall is a good time to go, but the skies stay clear most of the year. Since this place is seriously dark, bring a flashlight would always be a great idea.