North Carolina’s dark sky sites will leave you starry-eyed

At North Carolina’s dark sky sites, you can step out of the light and into the darkness for a sky full of stars.

Sometimes, we all need to spend some time outside of the spotlight — and the sunlight. 

With daylight savings time coming to a close for the year on Nov. 3, it’s time to adjust our eyes to the darkness, and that’s great news for stargazers in the Tar Heel State. Maybe you’re part of a group such as the Raleigh Astronomy Club or the Crystal Coast Stargazers, or perhaps you’re just a solo amateur astronomer looking for the right place to see a sky full of stars. 

Either way, North Carolina has no shortage of stargazing sites. While the state is home to only three International Dark Sky Places, there are many other options for sites where the light pollution is nary to nil with any number of wide-open sky views. 

Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 spots for stargazers to seek out across the state. It’s perhaps not surprising that just about every one of North Carolina’s top five largest cities is located in the Piedmont region, and just about every one of the sites listed below is located either in the eastern part of the state near the coast or in the mountains to the west. 

But that’s the beauty of living in the Piedmont: You’re always a short drive from beaches to one side and the Appalachians to the other — pick a direction and drive. 

We’ll start our list with North Carolina’s three International Dark Sky Places before suggesting other spots that are just as good for you to choose from. 

International Dark Sky Places in North Carolina

Cape Lookout National Seashore

The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 as a non-regulatory and voluntary program launched by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) to encourage communities, parks, and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education.

Beginning that year with Flagstaff, Arizona, the organization has officially recognized more than 200 cities, parks and other sites as Dark Sky Places. In 2021, Cape Lookout National Seashore became North Carolina’s second International Dark Sky Place. Located on the southern end of the Outer Banks, known as the Crystal Coast, the seashore is made up of three undeveloped barrier islands: North Core Banks, South Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks. Altogether, it stretches from Ocracoke Inlet in the northeast to Beaufort Inlet in the southwest, covering 56 miles of land and water.

“We are proud to include Cape Lookout National Seashore into our International Dark Sky Places Program,” stated Ashley Wilson, director of conservation with the IDA, in 2021. “Not only do they serve as another exceptional National Park Service unit that understands and is fully committing to dark-sky efforts, but they also visibly demonstrate the balance between using light efficiently and coexisting with the natural, nocturnal environment with their lighting decisions.” 

Photo courtesy of Dirtman’s Images/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

Nestled in the mountains of the Pisgah National Forest at a former historic NASA facility, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) in Transylvania County was awarded the prestigious designation of International Dark Sky Park in 2020. 

PARI was founded on the proud science legacy of the US space and satellite research programs. Located in the heart of a breathtaking natural forest and dwelling under the dome of the dark sky, PARI is building on its historic past to create a destination for the study, celebration, and enjoyment of science.

Photo courtesy of Steve McCluskey/CC BY 3.0.

Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory

Designated in 2014, this location was a no-brainer to become North Carolina’s and the Southeast’s first Dark Sky Place. Just look at the name. 

Formerly the Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park, the Mayland Earth to Sky Park and Bare Dark Sky Observatory is maintained by Mayland Community College. The 6-acre site is located about 12 miles west of campus, deep in the Pisgah National Forest. It was formerly home to the EnergyXchange, a project in which methane waste gas was emitted by an old landfill that heated horticultural greenhouses and artists’ studios.

Perhaps the most intriguing part about Mayland Earth to Sky Park is that it continues to grow. In 2017, a new public observatory opened with a roll-off roof featuring a custom-built 86-centimeter, f/3.6 Newtonian telescope and a 35-centimeter Meade LX200 telescope for public viewing. In 2019, they got to work on the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium, a 60-seat venue that offers a range of traditional astronomy and other STEM education shows on a 36-foot projection dome. Now that that’s open, the Children’s Discovery Center is under construction. 

Other dark sky sites in North Carolina, by region

Eastern NC

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Stretching from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore stretches more than 70 miles and is managed by the National Park Service. This stretch of the Outer Banks is known for its iconic lighthouses, which just goes to show that this site, more than any in the state, is historically rooted in darkness (bad for sailors, good for you). 

Great spots for stargazing along the seashore include the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Buxton Woods Reserve. 

Croatan National Forest

The only coastal national forest in North Carolina, the Croatan National Forest’s 160,000 acres include pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs, and raised swamps called pocosins. Bordered on three sides by tidal rivers and the Bogue Sound, the forest is defined by water, leaving little room for light pollution. 

Being a national forest, Croatan allows for dispersed camping, also known as boondocking, which permits camping away from designated campsites. So when it comes to seeking out the perfect spot, the dark sky’s the limit. 

Photo courtesy of Zach Frailey/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Oak Island

Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Oak Island comprises about 20 square miles in Brunswick County, 18.5 of which is land. While there are about 50,000 on the island at any given time during the summer, the actual population during the offseason is closer to 8,400—a quaint spot without all those pesky hotels and other developments that drown out the night sky.

We suggest heading to the Ocean Crest Pier to get a good view of the ocean. Nicholas Sparks fans may want to stargaze at the Old Smithville Burying Ground in Southport, just down the road, where Landon Carter famously named a star after Jamie in A Walk To Remember. 

Photo courtesy of Doug Anderson/CC BY 2.0.

Ocracoke Campground

There are plenty of great stargazing spots spread up and down the Outer Banks, but the Ocracoke Campground offers a nice spot where the ocean is a stone’s throw away and space feels like it is too. 

The campground is rated Bortle Class 2, the second-best rating on the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, a nine-level numeric scale that measures the brightness of a location’s night sky and stars so as to gauge the observability of celestial objects and the effect of light pollution.

Pettigrew State Park

Located in Washington and Tyrrell counties 75 miles northeast of Greenville, Pettigrew State Park showcases the rich habitat of Lake Phelps and the Scuppernong River, home to wintering tundra swans and cypress trees with cavernous archways.

While the park is not open much past dark, according to EarthSky editor-in-chief Deborah Byrd, it does allow camping for an overnight experience under the dark skies. One EarthSky member said, “It is a maximum night darkness area.” 

Uwharrie National Forest

We’re going to sneak this entrant here at the bottom of the Eastern NC category while acknowledging that it is actually the only park or property on this list that’s located in the Piedmont region. Covering 50,000 acres in parts of Montgomery, Davidson, and Randolph counties, this forest hosts the scenic Uwharrie, Yadkin, and Pee Dee rivers, as well as the Uwharrie Mountains.

Photo courtesy of the US Forest Service/CC BY-SA 2.0.

Western NC

Great Smoky National Park

Straddling the border with Tennessee, the Great Smoky National Park is renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. 

From March through December, you’re free to climb up the observation tower at Clingmans Dome to get as close as possible to the stars. At 6,643 feet tall, it’s the highest point in the park. The top-notch site allows for spectacular views with the naked eye, though many people do bring binoculars or telescopes for a closer look.

Photo courtesy of Scott Basford.

Graveyard Fields

You’ve heard the hypothetical dare since you were a kid: Would you spend the night in a graveyard? If it’s this graveyard, the answer is hell yes. A sign at the Graveyard Fields Overlook states that the area was named for the haunting skeletons of ancient trees that once punctuated the otherwise grassy field below. 

Some say the moss-covered stumps were the result of a wind storm, while others believe they were left there by early-20th-century loggers. Either way, the stumps burned in a 1925 wildfire, and all we’re left with is a ghoulish name and unmatched views. Beware that camping is not allowed in Graveyard Fields due to bear activity, so you’ll have to park and peek. 

Photo courtesy of Matthew Timothy Bradley/CC BY-SA 4.0.

Hominy Valley

A single from Asheville-based Bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers titled “Hominy Valley” tells the tale of the mountain town that the band’s bassist Graham Sharp calls his “cursed neighborhood.” He told Grateful Web in 2023 that he came to believe the area was cursed after reading about its role in General Rutherford’s campaign against the Cherokee during the Revolutionary War.

“The story is that the army got wind they were being followed by two Cherokee scouts and poisoned a creek that one of them drank from,” he told the online outlet. “His friend buried him sitting upright on the hill, under what is now a huge old oak tree, looking over the valley to keep watch.”

If true, the man has a great view for eternity. Located near Ashville and the Blue Ridge Parkway, this celestial destination is known for its low light pollution and easy access from US 19. Check out this starry photo taken from Hominy Valley on Flickr for a glimpse at why this destination is a favorite spot for stargazing. 

Linville Gorge

Part of the Pisgah National Forest, the Linville Gorge is formed by the Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west, bisected by the Linville River, which drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. 

The terrain is steep and rugged with numerous rock formations. It’s covered by dense hardwood and pine forest with a wide variety of smaller trees and other plants spread throughout, but there are plenty of openings for great stargazing opportunities. Note that a camping permit is needed on weekends and holidays from May through October, and the US Forest Service only grants 50 such permits per night. 

Photo courtesy of Ken Thomas.

Nantahala National Forest

The largest of North Carolina’s four national forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along the Hiwassee River.

Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cowee Mountain Overlook displays a complete 180-degree view of pristine national forest land—and the sky above it. “At night, the absence of light pollution illuminates the night sky behind the mountains in sheer darkness,” reads the Jackson County website. 

Though the overlook is currently missing its sign, it’s easy to find as it’s the next overlook directly after Richland Balsam heading north.

New River State Park

Located in Ashe and Alleghany counties 35 miles northeast of Boone, New River State Park covers seven accesses along its namesake river, which flows north through three states. Paddle-in-only campgrounds provide a remote experience that’s perfect for stargazing. 

In May, Reddit user Kayakityak sang the park’s praises: “New River State Park has THE BEST views of the night sky … If the moon isn’t up you can easily see the Milky Way. My bestie, my son, and his fiancé camped there last year for the Perseids Meteor Shower. It was fantastic. We stayed at the Wagoner Access section. You will have to hike in with your gear; they do have metal carts to carry your stuff. There’s a big grassy field between the parking lot and the camping areas; we would lay a tarp there and get in our sleeping bags, talk, giggle, and watch the stars and meteors.” 

Check out the thread for other recommendations. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.