Watoga State Park
Starry Waters
Be mesmerized by star-filled skies at this official Dark Sky Park.
its verdant rolling hills, and sweeping views from its highest peaks will leave you awestruck. The sheer beauty of West Virginia is evident, every day, through its forests, parks, waters, and wildlife.
While this dreamlike land is impressive by day, the wonder doesn’t stop at night. With star parties where you can watch Orion rise and the Milky Way set, high-up lookouts that offer changing perspectives, and famed observatories with some of the world’s most impressive telescopes, West Virginia’s parks also deliver some of the best stargazing east of the Mississippi. Take a journey through seven of the Mountain State’s most majestic parks, and see for yourself what makes this storied land so special.
Stargazing Tip: Before you set out stargazing, start with the moon. According to the National Park Service, the best times to stargaze are just before moonrise or after the moonset of the new moon, since the brightness of the moon can hinder your ability to see as many stars.
The power of rushing waterfalls,
An immersive celestial adventure through captivating parks, forests, and public lands.
A Mesmerizing Guide to Stargazing in West Virginia
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Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park
Calvin Price State Forest
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park
Green Bank Observatory
Calhoun County Park
Spruce Knob
Calvin Price State Forest
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park
Green Bank Observatory
Calhoun County Park
Spruce Knob
Watoga State Park
Starry Waters
An official Dark Sky Park, Watoga State Park is a stargazer’s dream.
DAVE GREEN
Named for the Cherokee word for “starry waters,” Watoga State Park is West Virginia’s largest state park. The park’s origins as a wildlife and timber preserve remain apparent, with a lush, ancient forest filled with white-tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, and owls. (The park is also known for its impressive lightshow of synchronous fireflies.) By day, nearly two dozen hiking trails; a lake brimming with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and trout; and an observation tower where you can take in the sweeping views of the Appalachian ridges all deliver a deep immersion in nature. The magic continues with the setting sun. Since streetlights are forbidden here, and any outdoor lighting has been intentionally replaced with down-facing fixtures and dimmer bulbs, DarkSky International designated Watoga State Park an official Dark Sky Park in 2021. Nostalgic wooden-framed cabins with rustic interiors are available for rent. Stay still long enough and witness mighty Orion emerge overhead as a carousel of diamonds dances across the sky.
“Our dreams are like rockets—they might veer off course, but they always strive to reach the stars.”
- from October Sky, a film based on Homer Hickam’s memoir Rocket Boys
Be mesmerized by the star-filled skies of Watoga State.
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Calvin Price State Forest
Immersive Escape
Illuminated night skies make this one West Virginia's most enchanting places. DAVE GREEN
Calvin Price State Forest
Immersive Escape
Illuminated night skies make this one of West Virginia's most enchanting places.
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Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
War and Peace
The overlook tower is a dreamy vantage point for stargazing.
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Blackwater Falls State Park
Feel the Rush
These enchanting falls drop 57 feet through the Allegheny Mountains.
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Green Bank Observatory
New Wavelengths
The imposing deep-space telescope weighs 17 million pounds.
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Calhoun County Park
Hidden Gem
This lesser-known park is a top pick for stargazers.
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Spruce Knob
Elevate Your Senses
The highest point in West Virginia offers an unbeatable star show.
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With a dense blend of West Virginian hardwoods and towering pine, Calvin Price State Forest is largely unspoiled and one of the most enchanting destinations for stargazers and nature lovers. Named for the longtime editor of the Pocahontas Times, a local leader who staunchly advocated to conserve these lands, the 9,400-acre park, packed with yellow poplars, oaks, and white pines, was once heavily logged. In 1953, the state purchased most of the forest from the New River Lumber Company, and today, the park’s ecosystem remains largely undisturbed. In 2021, it was designated as one of West Virginia's first Dark Sky Parks. Immerse yourself in the whispering woods as you listen for red-tailed hawks and barred owls along the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail, a former railroad now popular for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The state’s longest hiking route, The Allegheny Trail, which touches six counties and connects with the Appalachian Trail, meanders through the eastern portion of the forest.
A largely unspoiled park, Calvin Price is perfect for stargazers. DAVE GREEN
In the fall of 1863, in the heart of the Greenbrier River Valley, one of the most influential Civil War battles in West Virginia shook the soil of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. The skirmish broke out between General William W. Averell’s Union army and the Confederate army of General John Echols in what is now considered one of the final important West Virginia battles of the Civil War. In 1928, the site became West Virginia’s first state park, and in October on even years, the park hosts battle reenactments. Unmatched views from the overlook tower include the sprawling valley below and mountain ridges in the distance. As darkness falls across the park, a mesmerizing show of stars, constellations, and galaxies shines on this historic site. Designated an official Dark Sky Park in 2021, Droop Mountain also plays host to annual star parties, which invite star enthusiasts and amateur astronomers to explore the night sky.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park has some of the darkest skies in West Virginia. DAVE GREEN
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
War and Peace
The Droop Mountain overlook tower offers a dreamy vantage point. DAVE GREEN
Blackwater Falls State Park
Feel the Rush
Enchanting Blackwater Falls drops 57 feet through the Allegheny Mountains. DAVE GREEN
Sheer power and rugged elegance combine at Blackwater Falls. Elbowing its way through the Allegheny Mountains, this 57-foot fantastical cascade is the state’s largest. Its signature amber waters come from tannic acid deposited by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Nearly 20 miles of hiking through dense paths of hemlocks and hardwoods are major draws by day, and when the sun goes down, the park is known as one of the darkest, most impressive night skies in the state. High in the mountains, Blackwater Falls State Park is far removed from city lights that would hinder the stars, making it a top choice for avid stargazers. Additionally, the longest sledding run on the east coast is also nestled into the park.
Blackwater Falls State Park impresses with powerful cascades and a sea of stars. COURTESY OF WEST VIRGINIA TOURISM
Green Bank Observatory
New Wavelengths
Deep in the rolling countryside of West Virginia lies one of the state’s greatest secrets: the Green Bank Observatory. Here, nature’s serenity is seamlessly juxtaposed with impressive feats of man. White tail deer graze calm, open fields as imposing, deep-space radio telescopes search for answers to our greatest unknowns. The Space Race-era facility, intended to upgrade the country’s astronomical research equipment, opened in 1958. The site is now home to the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world, the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, which weighs 17 million pounds and has a radius the size of a football field. Ponder the farthest reaches of space along the 1.5-mile scale model of the solar system or take a fascinating telescope tour. The science center also offers tours, exhibits, and presentations about the wonders of the universe and the observatory’s groundbreaking research.
The imposing deep-space telescope weighs 17 million pounds. DAVE GREEN
Calhoun County Park
Hidden Gem
This lesser-known park is a top pick for stargazers. DAVE GREEN
Calhoun County Park spans roughly 200 acres in the western part of the state, and is one of West Virginia's darkest sites. Created in the 1980s, the under-the-radar park is full of gorgeous hiking trails through pine forests and open meadows. Lay a blanket along the banks of one of five peaceful ponds and gaze up at rare and impressive views of the universe. You can even rent a climate-controlled barn onsite for longer stays. The park’s Heritage Village hosts Civil War reenactments and helps visitors imagine the vintage ways of the onetime working farm.
Unbelievable star shows fill the night sky at Calhoun County Park. DAVE GREEN
Spruce Knob
Elevate Your Senses
The highest point in West Virginia offers an unbeatable star show. DAVE GREEN
Nestled in the Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. At 4,863 feet above sea level, it's easy to gain new perspectives. From the lookout tower, breathe in the crisp air and survey the undulating Appalachian mountains in the distance. One-sided red spruce trees, battered by strong winds, cling to rocky ridges, while forests and berry brambles mix with sprawling pastures below. Follow the Whispering Spruce Trail for a full panoramic view from the summit. At sunrise, take in the still and silence as a kaleidoscope of yellows and oranges dance across the sky. Nighttime brings another set of wonders. One of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River, Spruce Knob delivers a star-studded motion picture with vibrant bursts of light, countless shooting stars, and the massive Milky Way.
The spectacular Milky Way steals the show at Spruce Knob. DAVE GREEN
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its verdant rolling hills, and sweeping views from its highest peaks will leave you awestruck. The sheer beauty of West Virginia is evident, every day, through its forests, parks, waters, and wildlife.
While this dreamlike land is impressive by day, the wonder doesn’t stop at night. With star parties where you can watch Orion rise and the Milky Way set, high-up lookouts that offer changing perspectives, and famed observatories with some of the world’s most impressive telescopes, West Virginia’s parks also deliver some of the best stargazing east of the Mississippi. Take a journey through seven of the Mountain State’s most majestic parks, and see for yourself what makes this storied land so special.
Stargazing Tip: Before you set out stargazing, start with the moon. According to the National Park Service, the best times to stargaze are just before moonrise or after the moonset of the new moon, since the brightness of the moon can hinder your ability to see as many stars.
The power of rushing waterfalls,
Tap on to learn more
Click on to learn more
Photo Credit: DAVE GREEN Written by: VIRGINIA BROWN
Blackwater Falls
State Park
Green Bank
Observatory
Droop Mountain
Battlefield State Park
Spruce Knob
A largely unspoiled park, Calvin Price is perfect for stargazers.
With a dense blend of West Virginian hardwoods and towering pine, Calvin Price State Forest is largely unspoiled and one of the most enchanting destinations for stargazers and nature lovers. Named for the longtime editor of the Pocahontas Times, a local leader who staunchly advocated to conserve these lands, the 9,400-acre park, packed with yellow poplars, oaks, and white pines, was once heavily logged. In 1953, the state purchased most of the forest from the New River Lumber Company, and today, the park’s ecosystem remains largely undisturbed. In 2021, it was designated as one of West Virginia's first Dark Sky Parks. Immerse yourself in the whispering woods as you listen for red-tailed hawks and barred owls along the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail, a former railroad now popular for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The state’s longest hiking route, The Allegheny Trail, which touches six counties and connects with the Appalachian Trail, meanders through the eastern portion of the forest.
Calvin Price State Forest
Immersive Escape
Illuminated night skies make this one West Virginia's most enchanting places.
DAVE GREEN
DAVE GREEN
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park has some of the darkest skies in West Virginia.
DAVE GREEN
In the fall of 1863, in the heart of the Greenbrier River Valley, one of the most influential Civil War battles in West Virginia shook the soil of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. The skirmish broke out between General William W. Averell’s Union army and the Confederate army of General John Echols in what is now considered one of the final important West Virginia battles of the Civil War. In 1928, the site became West Virginia’s first state park, and in October on even years, the park hosts battle reenactments. Unmatched views from the overlook tower include the sprawling valley below and mountain ridges in the distance. As darkness falls across the park, a mesmerizing show of stars, constellations, and galaxies shines on this historic site. Designated an official Dark Sky Park in 2021, Droop Mountain also plays host to annual star parties, which invite star enthusiasts and amateur astronomers to explore the night sky.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
War and Peace
The Droop Mountain overlook tower offers a dreamy vantage point.
DAVE GREEN
Blackwater Falls State Park impresses with powerful cascades and a sea of stars.
COURTESY OF WEST VIRGINIA TOURISM
Sheer power and rugged elegance combine at Blackwater Falls. Elbowing its way through the Allegheny Mountains, this 57-foot fantastical cascade is the state’s largest. Its signature amber waters come from tannic acid deposited by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Nearly 20 miles of hiking through dense paths of hemlocks and hardwoods are major draws by day, and when the sun goes down, the park is known as one of the darkest, most impressive night skies in the state. High in the mountains, Blackwater Falls State Park is far removed from city lights that would hinder the stars, making it a top choice for avid stargazers. Additionally, the longest sledding run on the east coast is also nestled into the park.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Feel the Rush
Enchanting Blackwater Falls drops 57 feet through the Allegheny Mountains.
DAVE GREEN
The imposing deep-space telescope weighs 17 million pounds.
DAVE GREEN
Deep in the rolling countryside of West Virginia lies one of the state’s greatest secrets: the Green Bank Observatory. Here, nature’s serenity is seamlessly juxtaposed with impressive feats of man. White tail deer graze calm, open fields as imposing, deep-space radio telescopes search for answers to our greatest unknowns. The Space Race-era facility, intended to upgrade the country’s astronomical research equipment, opened in 1958. The site is now home to the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world, the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, which weighs 17 million pounds and has a radius the size of a football field. Ponder the farthest reaches of space along the 1.5-mile scale model of the solar system or take a fascinating telescope tour. The science center also offers tours, exhibits, and presentations about the wonders of the universe and the observatory’s groundbreaking research.
Green Bank Observatory
New Wavelengths
The Green Bank Observatory is home to the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope.
DAVE GREEN
Unbelievable star shows fill the night sky at Calhoun County Park.
DAVE GREEN
Calhoun County Park spans roughly 200 acres in the western part of the state, and is one of West Virginia's darkest sites. Created in the 1980s, the under-the-radar park is full of gorgeous hiking trails through pine forests and open meadows. Lay a blanket along the banks of one of five peaceful ponds and gaze up at rare and impressive views of the universe. You can even rent a climate-controlled barn onsite for longer stays. The park’s Heritage Village hosts Civil War reenactments and helps visitors imagine the vintage ways of the onetime working farm.
Calhoun County Park
Hidden Gem
This lesser-known park is a top pick for stargazers.
DAVE GREEN
The spectacular Milky Way steals the show at Spruce Knob.
Nestled in the Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. At 4,863 feet above sea level, it's easy to gain new perspectives. From the lookout tower, breathe in the crisp air and survey the undulating Appalachian mountains in the distance. One-sided red spruce trees, battered by strong winds, cling to rocky ridges, while forests and berry brambles mix with sprawling pastures below. Follow the Whispering Spruce Trail for a full panoramic view from the summit. At sunrise, take in the still and silence as a kaleidoscope of yellows and oranges dance across the sky. Nighttime brings another set of wonders. One of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River, Spruce Knob delivers a star-studded motion picture with vibrant bursts of light, countless shooting stars, and the massive Milky Way.
Spruce Knob
Elevate Your Senses
The highest point in West Virginia offers an unbeatable star show.
DAVE GREEN
DAVE GREEN
DAVE GREEN
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The Green Bank Observatory is home to the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope.
DAVE GREEN
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