If you are looking for a peaceful and awe-inspiring thing to do on your next vacation, consider staying up late to stargaze. It’s one of the best things to do, and South Dakota has some amazing places. Specifically, we are talking about the Badlands and the Black Hills as some of the best places to stargaze in the state. However, you must have nearby lodging to stay up and stargaze, which you can find through Rushmore Express. We are near the Badlands, Black Hill, and other South Dakota attractions. Continue reading to learn more about where you can stargaze away from light pollution in South Dakota.
Badlands National Park
The Badlands are an amazing place for stargazing because of the lack of light pollution. Badlands National Park is mostly remote, so very little light from nearby cities makes it into the sky above the Badlands. This makes the night sky incredibly clear in the park. It’s so clear that you can spot the International Space Station, star clusters, nebulae, and many more objects in space. The park knows this well and plans some fascinating events around the stargazing in the Badlands.
- Night Sky Viewings: During the spring, summer, and fall, Badlands National Park organizes events for stargazing. Park rangers and volunteers will take visitors out and use strong laser pointers to highlight points of interest in the night sky. The rangers will also help visitors use 11-inch Celestron telescopes to see events better in the night sky. The event usually lasts about 30 minutes.
- Badlands AstroFest: According to the National Parks Service, the AstroFest is an annual summer event that “brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, youth groups, and park visitors. ” It is three days (and nights) of astronomy-focused education and activities in Badlands National Park.
Black Hills National Forest
Another incredible location near us is the Black Hills National Forest. This place is great for many of the same reasons the Badlands are great, such as the lack of light pollution. One thing that sets Black Hill apart is Pactola Lake. Enjoy the night sky as it is reflected at your feet over the lake’s surface.
See The Stars In South Dakota
South Dakota is packed with some of the best places to stargaze. You can start your nighttime sightseeing tour of the South Dakota skies by booking directly with Rushmore Express. Book with us, and you can access the Black Hills and Badlands, which have more parks, hiking trails, and wildlife. Rushmore Express has relaxing amenities and luxuries like granite fireplaces, 55-inch televisions, free Wi-Fi, whirlpools, and in-room coffee. Book directly online or call today at 605-666-4483.