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Dark-sky places in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's dark-sky destination is Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, inside the Susquehannock State Forest. It holds two designations, as the state's first Dark Sky Park and as an International Dark Sky Park, and has both an all-night astronomy field and a public viewing area.

Certified dark-sky places in Pennsylvania

PlaceDesignationManaged byNearest city
Cherry Springs State ParkInternational Dark Sky Park (2008)Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of State Parks50 mi NW of Williamsport
Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania state Dark Sky Park)Pennsylvania DCNR Dark Sky Park (state agency designation) (2000)Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of State Parks50 mi NW of Williamsport

Designations by DarkSky International and state agencies. Check each place's own site for opening hours, fees and night access before you go.

Moon-free weekends for a Pennsylvania stargazing trip

Friday and Saturday nights when the Moon is down for most of full darkness, worked out for Philadelphia; dates are the same across the state, give or take a night.

  • November 2026: Nov 6–7, Nov 13–14
  • December 2026: Dec 4–5, Dec 11–12
  • January 2027: Jan 1–2, Jan 8–9, Jan 29–30
  • February 2027: Feb 5–6, Feb 27
  • March 2027: Mar 5–6, Mar 12
  • April 2027: Apr 2–3, Apr 9, Apr 30
  • May 2027: May 1, May 7–8, May 28–29
  • June 2027: Jun 4–5
  • July 2027: Jul 2–3, Jul 9–10, Jul 30–31
  • August 2027: Aug 6–7, Aug 27–28
  • September 2027: Sep 3–4, Sep 25
  • October 2027: Oct 1–2, Oct 29–30
  • November 2027: Nov 26–27
  • December 2027: Dec 3, Dec 24–25, Dec 31

Stargazing in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s darkest skies are in the north-central part of the state, in the forests of Potter County. Cherry Springs State Park sits there on a hilltop about 2,300 feet up, inside the largely undeveloped Susquehannock State Forest. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources declared it Pennsylvania’s first Dark Sky Park in 2000, and DarkSky International certified it as an International Dark Sky Park in 2008. DCNR calls it one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing. It remains the only certified dark-sky place in Pennsylvania.

Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs is a small hilltop park surrounded by the Susquehannock State Forest. Its Astronomy Field offers a clear 360-degree horizon, and DarkSky International says it gets roughly 60 to 85 nights a year with ideal observing conditions. Two major star parties each year bring several hundred astronomers for several nights at a time. The park is open year-round. The views take in the Milky Way, the planets and faint objects that city skies hide. Pick a moonless night, and use only red lights near other observers.

Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania state Dark Sky Park)

DCNR named Cherry Springs the state’s first Dark Sky Park in 2000, and it splits the park into areas for different visitors. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area is for short stargazing visits of a few hours, not overnight stays. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is open all night to registered users. The Cherry Springs Rustic Campground opens from mid-April through late October. Weather permitting, a park educator or guest speaker gives public stargazing programs in the viewing area and amphitheater. A friends group, the Cherry Springs Dark Sky Fund, pays for lighting improvements and outreach.

Questions and answers

Can I stay all night at Cherry Springs?

Yes, on the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field if you register. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area is meant for a few hours of stargazing, not overnight stays.

When is the Cherry Springs campground open?

DCNR says the rustic campground is open from mid-April through late October. Facility seasons are handled by the Lyman Run State Park office.

Are there public star programs at Cherry Springs?

Yes. Weather permitting, a park educator or guest speaker presents stargazing programs in the public viewing area and amphitheater. See the DCNR calendar of events.

How many clear nights does Cherry Springs get?

DarkSky International says the park has about 60 to 85 nights a year with ideal observing conditions. Check our tonight's sky forecast before you drive.

What should I bring to a dark-sky park in Pennsylvania?

A red flashlight, warm layers, a chair or blanket and, if you have them, binoculars. Plan the date with our Moon phase calendar, and use our Bortle scale guide to understand how dark your destination is.

Dark-sky places in other states · Northern lights in Pennsylvania · Tonight's sky in Pennsylvania

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