"nearby" area to camp with minimal light pollution?

Submitted by potential1 t3_10orgjf in philadelphia

I've seen various posts/have read about seeing the night sky without any light pollution. In the sense of it being a "bucket list" experience. In my case I am looking for some suggestions within a "reasonable" distance from the city. Once the weather warms up I think I need to make the time to do this. "Reasonable" for me would be something like a 2/3 hr drive. I've been up to the Poconos a few times. If it's that simple, I'll roll with it. If anyone has some more personal experience/recommendations I would appreciate it.

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Scumandvillany t1_j6ghhkz wrote

Cherry springs isn't 2/3 hrs but it's basically the only place to see the Milky Way this side of the Mississippi. Besides northern Maine and the Adirondacks. Class 2 night sky. Incredibly beautiful views. Honestly big bend NP(class 1-virtually zero light pollution)is worth it. The Milky Way can almost look like dawn when it rises. It's incredible.

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potential1 OP t1_j6gorbv wrote

Thanks for this! I can probably do Cherry Springs. I have a tent for my small truck both of which I use for camping. It's not the newest truck but Cherry Springs is only 4 hrs. Big Bend sound does sound amazing. Would be an expensive trip but I do have a good friend living in Texas. Might be something he would be into.

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kittiesgopurr t1_j6iw5k2 wrote

Tip: I like to head out that way once a year for stargazing and getting a reservation at Cherry Springs can be very difficult. You want to go during a New Moon to maximize darkness and all their camping sites are booked during the New Moon through the summer already. I think they allow you to make reservations 11 months in advance. I've stayed at Ole Bull and Leonard Harrison and enjoyed the views from there. While staying at those sites, there were quite a few people who would set up camp there and then make the 15-20 minute drive to Cherry Springs at night to do the stargazing and then come back after. Definitely worth it!

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Colossus245 t1_j6l613a wrote

Make sure you bring some supplies like blankets, hot drinks and maybe some snacks. Enjoy the entire night and give yourself a few days in case there are clouds. It can get real cold depending on the time of year and the wind blows across the field they have set up for viewing.

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Vague_Disclosure t1_j6i2lph wrote

I looked this place up and it looked like it has it's own night sky public viewing field. Is there anything special about this place other than its dark? Just going off a map it looks like you can find a few comparably remote locations closer to the city. Just curious what's special about this place.

Edit: nvm I did a little more research and just learned about the bortle scale, funny enough I have family with a cabin in the second closest class 2 location to philly

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Hecks_n_Hisses t1_j6gl43o wrote

Seconding this location.

I haven't made it up there myself yet but they hold regular astronomy events.

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CockercombeTuff t1_j6i0di1 wrote

Just FYI, there's also Stephen C Foster State Park in Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge in GA. It is Dark Skies rated. Great place.

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Ill_Organization2573 t1_j6j3is5 wrote

have i not been seeing the milky way in the poconos? i understand its not true dark sky but i could make out the milky way in the poconos and catskills in past years

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Scumandvillany t1_j6jymja wrote

Yeah, trust me when I tell you-you have not. The difference between the poconos and cherry springs is staggering. Big bend is the way the skies looked before and industrial civilization. It's somewhat disconcerting, actually. I've never been to the Catskills but the Adirondacks are class 2 skies like cherry springs. Don't think the Catskills have that rating.

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notetoself066 t1_j6kpd9p wrote

Catskills are not far enough. Want to also throw my vote in for Cherry springs. Truly incredible. I saw a green meteor streak across the sky there, you could literally hear it burn up and the gasp from the field of people was audible. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. If you can, go during a meteor shower.

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That_Obligatior16 t1_j6gks35 wrote

To get somewhere without any light pollution you'll have to go farther than a 2-3 hour drive.

https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#4/45.37/-96.33

Cherry springs is a good place within that drive range, but you can get darker if you go farther. You can also get much darker than the city somewhere much closer like French Creek state park, but you wont see the milky way there.

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Allemaengel t1_j6hm1lz wrote

Hickory Run area where I live has relatively dark skies and is convenient to the Turnpike.

On really clear nights you can see the Milky Way. But going out to Cherry Springs represents the real deal.

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LowSleep2566 t1_j6gqgqw wrote

Roughly 5 hrs- Watkins Glen, NY. Plus lovely water features!

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mwwmmwwm3 t1_j6h4b6b wrote

As others have said Cherry Glenn, I’d also recommend Trout Run it’s just north of Williamsport and can be reached in about three hours. Camp at Sheshequin Campground which is in a bit of a valley surrounded by mountains to block out the lights from Williamsport. On a clear night you should be able to see the Milky Way along the river behind the campground. Rock Run is nearby and has a lot of great trails to hike and swimming holes.

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HailBuckSeitan t1_j6gjptj wrote

Roundstone camp in Weatherly. It has woody camp sites and they also have a big airfield you can walk to on the property where you can see everything in the sky at night.

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Callipeartree t1_j6iuwxh wrote

I’ve seen the milky way from Assateague State and National Parks. 3 hrs away. But the weather has to cooperate!

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JawKneeQuest t1_j6jeuzk wrote

Seconding this. Easy Drive, chill spot (Chincoteague and Assateague) and can def see the Milkyway with the naked eye on moonless nights.

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Edison_Ruggles t1_j6ibeey wrote

Catskills. Tends to be overcast but when it's not, it's spectacular.

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pinkpolo t1_j6ij8rg wrote

Cherry Springs and Wellsboro area are wonderful.

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IrishOmerta t1_j6jxtd6 wrote

My friend took me to a place called Apple Pie Hill in the Pine Barrens. It sits between Philly and AC, it was apparently the closest place nearby with dark skies. It took about 45 minutes to get there from Philly. There was a fire tower there and at the top you could see Philly and AC. I've heard you can't access the fire tower anymore though.

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