7 Stellar Spots for Stargazing in North Carolina

Powerful telescopes aid deep-space gazing, but you might just want to bathe in the awe of the night sky with the naked eye. Either way, try a few of these spots to take in some of the best late-night light shows courtesy of Mother Nature.

1 NC's Brunswick Islands

photo credit: Nick Noble

1 NC's Brunswick Islands

NC's southern coastSee on map

Fun on the beach doesn’t stop when the sun goes down in NC’s Brunswick Islands, where six south-facing beaches become perfect stages for memorable stargazing without distracting light pollution. The best time to admire the Milky Way over the ocean is late April through late July, which also coincides with some of the warmest temperatures. And rain or shine, night or day, the stars are always shining at Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach with programs, exhibits and shows (complete with lasers and rock music).

Website(910) 755-5517Directions

2 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

CherokeeSee on map

The daytime views from the 6,643-foot-high summit of Kuwohi are spectacular, but for a truly awe-inspiring sight, visit at night when the Milky Way stretches overhead, and it’s nothing but stars. (Parking tags are now required within the national park. Order one online or purchase them on-site, including at the Kuwohi kiosk.)

WebsiteDirections

3 Starlight Hills Campground

photo credit: Rutherford County TDA

3 Starlight Hills Campground

BosticSee on map

With little light pollution spoiling the view, the stars and planets seem to hang just out of reach as you kick back at a primitive tent site or rustic cabin near South Mountains State Park. Follow one of the wooded trails past the camping area and creek and you can practically hear the stars twinkle in the sky. Pets are also welcome to join the serene escape.

Website(631) 745-3547Directions

4 Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

4 Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Chapel HillSee on map

You don’t have to wait until the sun dips below the horizon to take in the starry skies. On The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, watch the “Carolina Skies” planetarium show and learn what heavenly bodies are on display and how to identify them. Spark your curiosity further through live science demonstrations.

Website(919) 962-1236Directions

Dark Sky Parks

Three North Carolina sites have earned special recognition from the International Dark-Sky Association for hosting some of the world’s finest stargazing.

5 Bare Dark Sky Observatory

5 Bare Dark Sky Observatory

BurnsvilleSee on map

As the state’s largest public telescope, the Sam Scope brings the moon so close into focus, you can imagine you’re flying by in a spaceship. Also see Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s eye. For perfect stargazing conditions regardless of weather, the Glenn & Carol Arthur Planetarium offers astronomy shows and science presentations.

Website(828) 470-7584Directions

6 Cape Lookout National Seashore

6 Cape Lookout National Seashore

Harkers IslandSee on map

On clear nights, the first Atlantic coastal Dark Sky Place in the National Park Service puts on a stellar show. Stars and planets fill the sky, meteors streak overhead, and the opportunities for deep-space observation are boundless. Pack the binoculars or a telescope for gazing or bring a tripod and try your hand at astrophotography.

Website(252) 728-2250Directions

7 Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

7 Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

RosmanSee on map

With NASA-built radio telescopes and nearly a dozen optical telescopes at their disposal, the crew here helps researchers and visitors fall in love with space and plumb its mysteries. Contact the institute in advance to book a guided tour of the 200-acre campus or schedule an overnight camping retreat with friends and family.

Website(828) 862-5554Directions

Start planning your next out-of-this world getaway with The Official 2024 North Carolina Travel Guide.