Leave the light pollution behind and head for the mountain tops of the Shenandoah Valley. That’s where the starry nights come alive to do their best shining.
Also See: Peaks of Otter
Retreat to Shenandoah National Park where the accommodations are comfortable, and the night sky programming is stellar. Plan to stay at Big Meadows Lodge or Skyland, both offering on-site dining – Pollock Dining Room at Skyland and Spottswood Dining Room at Big Meadows.
Within the vast expanse of the park (more than 200,000 acres) are 500 miles or more of trails perfect for daytime hikes. When evening falls, however, you’ll want to look up rather than down. Big Meadows is a prime night sky viewing site and the destination for organized stargazing. You’re always welcome to bring your own telescope to enjoy the view from wherever you find yourself in the park.
Night Sky Festival at Shenandoah National Park. Photo by M. O’Neill. Courtesy of Shenandoah National Park.
Upcoming Night Sky Programs at Big Meadows
- Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m.: Big Meadows Star Party (through September 2, 2024)
- August 7 & 21 at 8 p.m.: “Explore the Skies” with Frank Perfetti, aviator and amateur astronomer
- August 11 at 8:30 p.m.: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch at Big Meadows Lodge
- August 15 at 8 p.m.: The Future of US Human Spaceflight with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- August 23 at 8:15 p.m.: Presentation on Light Pollution & Notation of Hercules cluster, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, and the Milky Way
- August 29 at 8 p.m.: Mount Wilson Observatory with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- September 5 at 8 p.m.: New Horizons to Pluto and Beyond with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- September 6 at 8 p.m.: Night Skies Viewing of Venus, the moon, Epsilon Perseids, Saturn, Neptune, and the Milky Way
- September 20 at 7:30 p.m.: Night Skies Viewing of Venus, the moon, Saturn, Neptune, and the Jupiter (at midnight)
- September 26 at 8 p.m.: This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
Upcoming Night Sky Programs at Skyland
- August 11 at 9 p.m.: Mount Wilson Observatory with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- August 18 at 9 p.m.: The Future of US Human Spaceflight with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- September 15 at 8 p.m.: New Horizons to Pluto and Beyond with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
- September 29 at 8 p.m.: This Isn’t Your Grandaddy’s Moon with NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern
Upcoming Night Sky Programs at Other Locations in Shenandoah National Park (through September 2, 2024)
- Saturdays at 9:30 p.m.: Dickey Ridge Star Party (mile 4.6)
- Sundays at 9:30 p.m.: Mathews Arm Panorama Star Party (mile 31.5)
“I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.”
– Augustine “Og” Mandino
Peaks of Otter
Further south is Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 85.6. Shimmering Abbott Lake is the centerpiece of the peaks themselves – Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. Trails meander the area and up to the summit of each one. The hikes are popular and the ascent to Sharp Top is so steep that a bus is available to take would-be conquerors partially to the top as an assist.
While the daytime is glorious and thriving around Peaks of Otter, it’s the nighttime pops of twinkling stars that make it a wonderful overnight destination (that and the sparse WiFi). Book a room at Peaks of Otter Lodge and dine at Peaks of Otter Restaurant. A bar and lounge is open later for those who lose track of time while stargazing.
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Plan a trip to enjoy Perseids at Peaks – the Perseid Meteor Shower that will be visible on the evening of August 11. A special overnight package is available August 10-12. It includes programming by astronomer and storyteller Josh Urban, pizza, coffee, and a stargazing light.
NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern hosts programming at Peaks of Otter like he does at Shenandoah National Park. His repertoire includes anything space related, not just stars. His upcoming schedule at Peaks dabbles in a variety of space topics.
- August 21 at 9 p.m.: The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater – Inside the Story of Virginia’s Largest Impact Crater
- September 11 at 8 p.m.: The Future of US Human Spaceflight
- October 9 at 8 p.m.: Our Star, The Sun
Book your astronomy adventure and be sure to tag us to see what you see! We’re on Instagram at @VisitShenandoahValley.
Header Image: Night Sky at Big Meadows. Photo by M. O’Neill and courtesy of Shenandoah National Park