The Last Frontier is one of the darkest states in America, so when it comes to choosing an epic remote dark sky reserve in Alaska, you have plenty of choices. Our favorite? The Arctic National Park and Preserve. This vast wilderness above the Arctic Circle won’t just give you a star show — if it’s dark enough for stars, it’s dark enough for the aurora borealis, too.
The majority of the state of Alaska is uninhabited wilderness.
Rawin Cheasagul / Moment Collection / Getty Images In fact, less than 1/20 of 1 percent of the state is inhabited! The rest of the state is considered untouched wilderness.
Only 160,000 acres of its 365 million acres is inhabited by the Alaska population.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon / Moment Collection / Getty Images The rest is glorious, empty landscape, which means it comes in at an impressive Bortle Level 1. Bortle Levels are levels that measure the night sky’s darkness, and help stargazers find the best places to camp out.
And that means Gates of the Arctic National Park ranks up there as one of the very best stargazing spots in the state.
Patrick J. Endres / Corbis Documentary / Getty Images This “Premier Wilderness” has nothing but a gorgeous landscape. Its 8.4 million acres are free of any kind of light pollution. It has no roads, buildings, or towns within its borders.
The park’s northern boundary is the North Slope and Arctic Coastal Plain, and the Yukon River in the south.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon . Moment Open Collection / Getty Images The dark mountains, clear skies, and cold, dry weather provide excellent stargazing opportunities. Although the weather is frequently cold during the best options to stargaze, it’s worth bundling up and getting out there in the winter.
The best time of year to go stargazing in Alaska?
Regis Vincent / Photographer’s Choice RF / Getty Images Definitely the wintertime! Beyond the fact that we are blessed with the midnight sun all summer long, the winter skies provide a dry climate perfect for viewing the stars — and the aurora borealis.
The best time to stargaze is after 8pm, but the best time to catch the aurora is after midnight.
Piriya Photography . Moment Collection / Getty Images Your best bet? Find an outdoor outfit that can keep you warm and cozy in the outdoor winter temperatures in the Arctic Circle. Tours like the Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour or the Alaska Wildlife Guides can take you on the most epic Northern Lights and stargazing tours.
If you have a chance to get up above the Arctic Circle for some serious stargazing, don’t hesitate.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon / Moment Collection / Getty Images The areas in the Brooks Mountain Range are fantastic, especially when the night sky is lit up. You won’t forget a star gazing or aurora hunting trip to the north!
Have you ever visited this remote dark sky reserve in Alaska? Did you love it? Were you able to see the aurora borealis, too? Let us know in the comments below!
Rawin Cheasagul / Moment Collection / Getty Images
In fact, less than 1/20 of 1 percent of the state is inhabited! The rest of the state is considered untouched wilderness.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon / Moment Collection / Getty Images
The rest is glorious, empty landscape, which means it comes in at an impressive Bortle Level 1. Bortle Levels are levels that measure the night sky’s darkness, and help stargazers find the best places to camp out.
Patrick J. Endres / Corbis Documentary / Getty Images
This “Premier Wilderness” has nothing but a gorgeous landscape. Its 8.4 million acres are free of any kind of light pollution. It has no roads, buildings, or towns within its borders.
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon . Moment Open Collection / Getty Images
The dark mountains, clear skies, and cold, dry weather provide excellent stargazing opportunities. Although the weather is frequently cold during the best options to stargaze, it’s worth bundling up and getting out there in the winter.
Regis Vincent / Photographer’s Choice RF / Getty Images
Definitely the wintertime! Beyond the fact that we are blessed with the midnight sun all summer long, the winter skies provide a dry climate perfect for viewing the stars — and the aurora borealis.
Piriya Photography . Moment Collection / Getty Images
Your best bet? Find an outdoor outfit that can keep you warm and cozy in the outdoor winter temperatures in the Arctic Circle. Tours like the Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour or the Alaska Wildlife Guides can take you on the most epic Northern Lights and stargazing tours.
The areas in the Brooks Mountain Range are fantastic, especially when the night sky is lit up. You won’t forget a star gazing or aurora hunting trip to the north!
Love the Arctic? Check out why the Arctic Wildlife Refuge in Alaska is America’s Serengeti and is truly something to marvel over.
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Address: Gates of the Arctic, Alaska, USA
