Upstate New York, not New York City, is why New York is called the Empire State. Rich in natural resources and natural beauty, there are many treasures to found in this region. One of them, you can discover simply by looking up on a clear night.
Many of us in the US have been spoiled by our ability to grow up in areas with relatively low light pollution distorting our views of the night sky. But for many, that isn’t the case. Have you ever seen a city kid craning his neck, truly beholding the night sky for the first time in their life?
Even those who are accustomed to seeing stars will be awed by the views from these state parks in Upstate New York.
Golden Hill State Park – Barker, NY
On the southern shore of Lake Ontario is Golden Hill State Park which was acquired by New York State in 1962. The nightly lodging options here are a bit creative including yurts and even the historic Thirty Mile Lighthouse that is available for rental year-round. The Lighthouse allows for stunning views of the stars over the lake. This area is also quite close to Olcott Beach which is another highly recommended destination for stargazing.
- Travel - 52.3-mile drive northeast from Buffalo NY / 54.4-mile drive west from Rochester NY
- Main Entrance - 9691 Lower Lake Rd, Barker, NY 14012, United States
- Park Activities - camping, fishing, boating, shoreline hiking, picnicking, nature walks, walking tours of the lighthouse site, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
- Cost for Entrance - Vehicle Entrance Fee: Cars $6 / Non-Profit Buses $35 /Commercial Buses $75
- Cost for Campsites - $15-$31/night *Additional $5/night for non-NYS residents
- Cost for Yurts - $83.75 per day / $335 weekly (NYS Residents) $90.00 per day / $360 weekly (Non-NYS Residents)
- Cost for Lighthouse, Non-Peak - $200/night-$800/week.
- Cost for Lighthouse, Peak season - $200/night-$1250/week.
Letchworth State Park – Castille, NY
Know as the “Grand Canyon of the East” Letchworth State Park is not just a great stargazing destination. It is also a popular destination for hiking and camping, with the Genesee River carving its way through the gorge and over its three major waterfalls. Some of the cliffs here are over 600-ft tall! Open past 8 pm and with plenty of open areas, Letchworth state park is a great destination for stargazing after an adventurous day out in the park.
- Travel - 58.8-mile drive east from Buffalo NY / 39.3-mile drive south from Rochester NY
- Main Entrance - 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427, United States
- Park Activities - Hiking, Horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, guided walks and tours, white water rafting, swimming, and hot-air balloon rides.
- Cost for Entrance - $10 per vehicle / Non-Profit Buses $35 / Commercial Buses $75
- Cost for Campsite - $27-$30/night *Out of state resident fee for camping, per night: $5
- Cost for Cabins - $132-$568 per week (per night: daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge) *Out of state resident fee for camping, per night: $7
Allegany State Park – Salamanca, NY
Being one of the most remote and one of the largest state parks in New York, Allegany State Park allows for views of the night sky that are absolutely stunning with minimal light pollution. The area around Quaker Lake at the southern end of the park offers breathtaking views of the Milkyway galaxy. The park closes at dusk though, so unless you have booked a cabin, you won’t be able to stay late enough to enjoy the views. The Quaker lake area of the park is totally worth booking a cabin or campsite though, as there are many activities to keep you engaged with during the day.
- Travel - 76.6-mile drive south of Buffalo NY / 63.9-mile drive north of Saint Marys PA
- Main Entrance - Allegany State Park Rte 3, Salamanca, NY 14779, United States
- Park Activities - Camping, swimming in the lake (sandy beaches), canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking.
- Cost of Entrance - Vehicle Use Fee: $7 / Non-profit Bus: $35 / Commercial Bus: $75
- Boat Launch Vehicle Fees - 6$
- Cost for Camping - $18-30/night *$5 nightly fee for non-NYS residents
- Cost for Cabins - $154 - $568, weekly (daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge) *$7 nightly fee or $28 weekly fee for non-NYS residents
Some Stargazing Advice
- be sure to pick a dark area with as little light as possible. You may be able to stay in your car still, with all the lights off, but if you can’t it's advised to bring a chair and/or blanket for comfort.
- Sometimes finding an elevated location can help as well, especially if there is any light pollution near you.
- Weather is important. It’s advised to stargaze from late spring to early fall. This is especially true in Upstate New York, where snowfall can happen during so much of the year.
- If you own binoculars or a telescope, it’s advised to bring them. If you’ve gone through the effort of finding such a prime location to stargaze, give yourself the best possible view.
- If you are not familiar with constellations already, there are many helpful tools on the internet including APPs that can help you locate them.