What is The Best Stargazing Tent?

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Picture this: You and your partner; all cuddled up in your tent while enjoying each other’s warmth and looking up to the clear sky above filled with a beehive of stars. 

Beautiful, isn’t it? 

Sometimes, we need to take some time out away from our busy life schedules to enjoy such a magical moment with our partner. Because you have no idea how much you have been missing out on the good things of life and what better way to remind yourself of what that feels like than to go stargazing. 

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Annoyingly, these sights that allow us this privilege of stargazing and coming in touch with nature are not quite much. Regardless, I will be giving you hints on some of the few national parks you can go camping with your spouse. There you can enjoy nature in its purest and most genuine form. 

camp under stars

Here are the best places for stargazing spots: 

Black Rock Campground, Joshua Tree National Park (California) 

The Joshua Tree National Park is an apt example of a perfect camping spot to enjoy stargazing. Two reasons being that it is well isolated from the city noise and light interference and the altitude (4000 feet). It gives you the impression that you could touch the stars because it appears as though you are nearby. 

Schoodic Woods Campground, Acadia National Park (Maine) 

Perfect camping spot that is unique in every way because of its surrounding earthy elements. Here you will enjoy the view of the stars at night from a wide array of mountains overlooking the sea. Because of its location surrounded by water, there is a possibility of it raining often. This spot is strategically located away from so many houses and development, hence guaranteeing you unaltered moments of peace with nature. 

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, Big Pine Key (Florida) 

From the name, you should figure out that this is not just a spot known to be mostly visited by stargazers. It is also a place most people consider going on a vacation, too, because of the waterfront. Great place for fishing, skydiving, and snorkeling when around. You can explore the environs in the day by indulging in any of the water-related activities, and at night, you could settle in on top to enjoy the beautiful view of the stars. 

So, in essence, you are spoilt with numerous options of activities to indulge in when you visit this place, asides stargazing. It is one place that its beauty will get you in awe.

stars at night

 Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park (Texas)

 This campground presents you with a rocky topography with the surrounding cliffs reaching as high as 5,400 feet above sea level. It also implies that you get to have a sneak peek of the milky way from a perspective so close, it seems unreal. Another fantastic thing about this campground is that it is situated away from houses and industries. That could help to enjoy nature even more. 

Cedar Pass Campground, Badlands National Park (South Dakota) 

This campground located in a very rural area with the necessary innovations needed to make your stay comfortable. In this place, you don’t have to worry so much about where to take your bath. There are bathrooms and toilets available for your convenience. So, you get to enjoy the privilege of seeing the stars from a close perspective and also enjoy the convenience of facilities nearby. 

Badlands National Park (South Dakota) 

The scenery of Badlands is made of what you would naturally assume is only attainable in movies. This camp destination will get you close to nature and help you out to know the roots. It’s one campground that doesn’t just offer you a platform to enjoy stargazing but to explore antiques. There is a particular festival for stargazers visiting Badlands that’s held in August, with numerous packages like lectures, workshops, etc. 

stars at night desert

Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii) 

Hawaii is one of the choice destinations for most tourists, and the reason is not so farfetched because the scenery you will find there feels like heaven on earth. So, you will not expect anything less from a national park that is located there. This national park prides itself as a harbor for a wide array of trees and a lush forest. This place is highly recommended as one of the best places to enjoy the view of the sky. Its mountains are as high as 10,000 feet, probably one of the highest you can find anywhere.

 Galloway Forest Park (Scotland) 

This park is a mostly spacious terrain that accommodates a lot of stargazers every day. While it is a spot that is primarily favored for stargazing, the environment also allows for some exploring in the wild like hunting, etc. Stargazing in this park is particularly more fun. 

Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park (New Zealand) 

This national park is one spot that is recommended by the International Dark-Sky Association, New Zealand, as one of the best places to go stargazing. The glaciers you can find in this area give it a different view from what you can see in the spots, as mentioned earlier. The fusion of ice and rock in the environment is just amazing. With the cliffs reaching as high as 9,000 feet, stargazing doesn’t get any better. For those that want to camp for a day or two but don’t want to do all that necessary packing, you can take advantage of the 17 huts available in the region. 

stargaxing national park

Do you want to see a thousand stars in an environment that is amazing? Visit one of the places mentioned above to enjoy such a blissful experience.

Stargazing can be romantic, spiritual, educational, or just fun for people of all ages. Camping is one of the best times to stargaze, especially if you plan and invest in one of the best tents for stargazing. This means you’ll be able to kick back, relax, and be protected against the elements and chilly overnight temperatures while stargazing. It’s one of the best ways to soak up your natural surroundings and make the most of your camping trip not only during the day but also once the sun goes down.

 

How do you choose the best tent for stargazing?

This is quite a challenge with so many tents on the market. How do you know which tent is the right one? There’s the backpacking tent, the two-person tent, the three-person tent, the bubble tent, single-wall tents, and even the enormous family tent, to name but a few. And then there are plenty of features such as vestibules and doors, a rain fly, being ultralight, mesh panels for storage, a stuff sack, pockets, material that blocks out light pollution…the list is almost endless. However, there are a few specific features you’ll want to look for when you’re shopping to go stargazing while camping.

Mesh placement

The essential tent designs for stargazing have a mesh opening that makes it possible to see outside of the tent without exposing you to insects. Mesh can be located at the top of the tent and along the walls. Some shelters offer a mesh covering at the entrance and exit of the canvas. This can work for stargazing, but it doesn’t provide the same view as a mesh roof of the canvas. When you’re shopping for a tent with a mesh opening that offers a view, make sure the tent also has a covering for the mesh area for when the weather isn’t ideal.

Tent design

It’s also essential to find a tent that is easy to set up. You don’t want to waste a bunch of time with complicated setup when you’re headed out for an evening of stargazing. You also don’t want to risk missing any part of the evening if it takes you too long to set up. Tents that offer color-coded features and clear instructions are typically the easiest to set up.

Tent Size

Finally, you’ll want to consider the size of the tent. Who will be stargazing with you? Are you planning to go alone or will you take your family and friends? Tents come in a variety of sizes, from small one-person tube tents to huge multi-room tents for eight, ten, or 12 people. Consider who will usually join you on your stargazing trips and choose a tent size that can accommodate your party.

Once you have an idea of the overall size and style tent you want, you can narrow down your selection even more.

Our picks for best tents for stargazing

Mountainsmith Morrison 2-Person 3-Season Tent

Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent (Citron Green)The Mountainsmith Morrison is large enough for two people and works for three seasons. This means it won’t stand up to the harshest, coldest conditions, but it’s comfortable when temps are a bit lower during the spring and fall months. The tent’s bathtub-style floor means that moisture won’t be a problem, which is something that can be extremely important during the rainy spring season.

This tent is excellent for stargazing because you get a great view of the sky just by removing the tent’s rainfly. You’ll get an unobstructed view that is large enough for two people, two recline, and stare at the night sky.

This tent is easy to set up, features a vestibule layout, and offers plenty of storage space in addition to being comfortable for two people.

Pros: Unobstructed views, easy setup

Cons: Storage area is on the small side, poles aren’t that sturdy

Kelty TN 2 Person Tent

Kelty Dirt Motel 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking and Camping Tent (2019 - Updated Version of Kelty TN Tent) - 2 Vestibule Freestanding Design - Stargazing Fly, DAC Poles, Stuff Sack IncludedThis Kelty tent is great for those who want to trek away from the lights of the city and camp out deep in nature. It’s lightweight and features a Stargazer Fly that can be rolled back to provide a great view of the night sky.

It’s just as easy to pull the rainfly back down if the weather should turn unpleasant during your camping trip. The Kelty offers a small storage area and is comfortable for two campers.

Pros: Lightweight, easy to backpack with, easy setup

Cons: Features only one large door, lacks clear instructions for installation (it’s easy once you figure out the steps on your own the first time), tends to allow condensation buildup.

Sundome 4-Person Tent

Coleman 2-Person Sundome Tent, GreenThis is a great stargazing tent for families and can accommodate up to four people comfortably. The tent is dome-shaped and is a great option if you’re camping in a windier location. The tent offers an electric access port for those times on your camping trip when you aren’t looking at the stars. The tent’s groundsheet offers protection from insects, and it’s one of the tallest tents available, so average-sized adults have room to stand while inside.

This tent is large enough for four people, but would likely be cramped if all four are adults. There’s more than enough room for two adults and two children.

Pros: Easy to set up, perfect for families

Cons: Not spacious enough to set up an airbed, not large enough for four adults, tent poles could be more durable

CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent - 16' x 9'Are you looking for a huge tent that’s large enough to accommodate a big family or a group of friends? CORE offers a nine-person tent that is spacious and comfortable for a whole pack of people. Not only is the tent large enough for nine people, but its design also allows all nine people the opportunity to view the night sky while in the tent.

It’s also just a great all-around tent that offers protection from the elements and water and provides decent storage space that allows you to organize your gear.

Pros: Great for families of all sizes and “party” camping trips, features electrical access port for device charging, large enough for multiple queen-sized air mattresses

Cons: Doesn’t feature a bathtub-style floor, rain fly impedes views slightly, tent poles could be sturdier

Conclusion

These are just a few of the high-quality stargazing tents available, and we think these are the best ones out there. When shopping for your tent, consider where you’ll be camping and what other priorities you have in a tent so you can make the best decision based on your stargazing and camping experience.

 

1 Comment
  1. never thought to look for a stargazing tent – we normally use our swag and leave the cover off so we can lay there at look at the stars 🙂

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