Bortle 2 Easy Access

Cherry Springs State Park

United States · North America

The best dark sky site in the eastern United States. Its mountaintop location (670m), surrounding forest buffer, and dedicated astronomy field make it the only Gold-tier Dark Sky Park east of the Mississippi.

Best Season May–September
Altitude 670m
Coordinates 41.66°N 77.83°W
Bortle Rating Bortle 2
Milky WaySummer ConstellationsMeteor Showers

What's Visible

Milky Way summer core, Andromeda Galaxy, Ring Nebula, Scorpius, Sagittarius, summer triangle

Best Months

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Photographer Notes

The Astronomy Field has 48 electrical hookups. Reservations mandatory on weekends. White lights result in ejection. Perseid meteor shower (August) is spectacular here.

Getting There & Staying

Overnight camping available in the park (reservations required). Coudersport (20 min away) has motels. Red lights only strictly enforced.

Location

41.6631°, -77.8258°

Cherry Springs State Park, United States

Tags

dark sky parknorth americaeastern usforest