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Tennessee State Parks are well suited to night sky viewing and many partner with regional and local astronomy clubs to offer astronomy programs, dark sky viewings, star trail photography workshops and star parties. Programs are suited to all levels of interest and ability from amateur astronomers to seasoned stargazers. Most programs take place in the evening and last a few hours but there are ...
- Interpretive Programs
On May 12, 2015, Pickett State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon...
- Interpretive Programs
List of darkest parks and places in Tennessee for stargazing, astrophotography, astrotourism, star parties, and astronomy club events. Often these are national and state parks and forests that are either remote or "protected" against light pollution. National and state parks often let you stay overnight under the stars, hence their motto ...
- Map of Where to Go Stargazing in Tennessee
- Big Hill Pond State Park
- Big South Fork
- Bledsoe Creek State Park
- Blue Bank Resort
- Edgar Evins State Park
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Harrison Bay State Park
- Henry Horton State Park
By popular request, I’ve added a map to this post to help make it easier to understand where each of the best spots for stargazing in Tennessee can be found. I hope this helps you plan the ultimate stargazing trip!
Located in the southwestern part of the state, Big Hill Pond State Parkis a hidden gem for stargazing in Tennessee. This park boasts miles of trails and camping areas, and the activities available here are countless. From kayak rentals to disc golf, this park has everything. Stargazers will find a peaceful and serene environment for viewing the cos...
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, located in the Cumberland Plateau, is one of the top Tennessee stargazing spots. The park offers exceptional opportunities for stargazing and their night sky programs are among the most popular. There’s no shortage of places to see the stars, but the East Rim Overlook is a prime spot to see the Mil...
Situated on the shores of Old Hickory Lake near Nashville, Bledsoe Creek State Parkis relatively small as state parks go. But its size doesn’t stop it from offering endless opportunities for outdoor lovers. The park’s open fields and waterfront areas provide unobstructed views of the night sky, making it a great spot for setting up telescopes and o...
Located on the shores of Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee, Blue Bank Resortis a unique destination for stargazing. This resort offers guided stargazing tours led by knowledgeable astronomers who provide telescopes and help you explore the wonders of the night sky. With its peaceful surroundings and dark skies, Blue Bank Resort is a perfect geta...
Edgar Evins State Park is nestled on the shores of Center Hill Lake, and for some, it’s the best park outside of Nashville. The park’s highlight is the lake – perfect if you want an artistic shot of the night sky against the water. Fellow astronomy buffs will love this place for stargazing in Tennessee if what they want is peace and quiet. The park...
There’s a reason why Fall Creek Falls State Parkis one of Tennessee’s most popular state parks. From breathtaking waterfalls and rock formations to swinging suspension bridges, this state parks it all. But its beauty isn’t confined to stunning waterfalls only. The dark sky this park sits under is out of this world. Fall Creek enjoys a remote locati...
As one of the most visited national parks in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains National Parkis also a fantastic Tennessee stargazing destination. The park offers endless stargazing areas, including Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park and in Tennessee! The Foothills Parkway and the Newfound Gap Trailhead are another two great places...
Located near Chattanooga, Harrison Bay State Parkis a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. But it’s also a great spot for stargazing! The park offers several areas where you can set up your telescope or lay out a blanket to gaze at the night sky. The shoreline of Chickamauga Lake is a prime spot. The park also hosts starga...
Henry Horton State Parkis in Chapel Hill and is another fantastic spot for stargazing in Tennessee. The park’s dark sky provides an ideal setting for observing celestial bodies. It is quite popular and can get a bit busy on holidays, so I wouldn’t come here if you enjoy solitude for your stargazing endeavors. You can join their astronomy programs a...
Apr 1, 2024 · Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is one of the only two designated International Dark Sky Parks in Tennessee. The other is Obed Wild and Scenic River. Along with the DarkSky designation, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park has the Pickett-Pogue Astronomy Field, open to the public for stargazing year-round, and offers monthly stargazing programs.
On May 12, 2015, Pickett State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area were named a Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park for their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the night sky.To receive this designation, Pickett-Pogue met a stringent criteria set forth by the IDA, worked in partnership with local communities and governments and performed modifications to facilities ...
Jun 1, 2023 · Pickett CCC Memorial State Park. The best place to start your stargazing adventure is at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park. Located an hour north of Crossville, Pickett was the first state park in the Southeast to earn the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) certification. This designation means the park has a low level of light polluting ...
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Apr 27, 2015 · The park is located in a relatively dark region of the eastern United States, an area whose remaining dark places are rapidly vanishing. In partnership with the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society (BSAS) and the Space Science Outreach program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the park has developed a strong interpretive program ...
