Looking for a place to sleep under the stars with your pets? We’ve found 22 campgrounds across the country where you can admire the Milky Way and howl at the moon.
For millennia humans have appreciated the night sky, glittering with stars, planets, and passing meteors. But these days finding a place where artificial lighting doesn’t wash out the heavens can be difficult. If you and your furry travel companion are hoping to track down Sirius, “the dog star,” check out these great spots for dark skies camping with pets!
Best Places for Dark Skies Camping with Pets
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is one of the country’s most pet friendly national parks, and it’s beautiful coast, rugged beaches, relaxing sea views, and granite peaks make it the perfect vacation destination. But did you know that it’s also excellent for stargazing?
The Milky Way is visible from Acadia’s beaches, and its lakes make stunning foregrounds for star trail photos! Best of all, Acadia’s three campgrounds are pet friendly and within a short walk of the shoreline.
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Acadia National Park With Dogs
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is best known for its spring desert flowers and night-blooming lilies. But it’s also an International Dark Sky Park. And the nearby town of Borrego Springs is a Dark Sky Community, making this a perfect venue for dark skies camping!
The state park offers a pet friendly campground and provides free camping options. Just be aware that pets cannot go on the trails within the park.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
The twenty-one islands that make up Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offer unique opportunities to observe the night sky. Standing where water meets sky, the stars and planets take your breath away. And if you’re really lucky you could even see the Northern Lights!
Pet friendly camping is available on 19 of the 21 islands, and at one campsite on the mainland. Pets cannot go on the Apostle Island Cruises run by the National Park Service. But pet friendly transportation to the islands is available on private charters, taxis, and ferries.
READ MORE ⇒ Camping With Dogs – A Beginner’s Guide
Arches National Park, Utah
Southern Utah boasts many spectacular rock formations and some of the best are located in Arches National Park. It’s stunning in the daytime. But viewing the red sandstone arches with the night sky as a backdrop is an unforgettable experience!
Arches has one pet friendly campground, but pets are not allowed on any of the trails or in the backcountry at this national park.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
It’s difficult to find a more remote location in the continental United States than Big Bend National Park. Encompassing more than 800,000 acres, the absolute darkness here makes this an ideal place for dark skies camping.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the trails or in the backcountry at this national park, but Big Bend does offer three pet friendly campgrounds for RVs and tents. You’ll find more camping options in nearby Big Bend Ranch State Park. And, for a stay where pet friendly hiking is an option, check out Maverick Ranch RV Park in Lajitas, Texas.
READ MORE ⇒ Exploring Big Bend With Dogs
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, Idaho
Located between Stanley and Ketchum, Idaho, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is only the twelfth Dark Sky Reserve in the world! With 1,400 square acres within its boundaries, there are many stargazing spots to choose from. Stanley Lake, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, is our favorite. The peaks and night sky reflecting on the surface of the lake is a spectacular sight.
Much of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is located within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, where all of the more than 50 campgrounds are pet friendly. And during the day you’ll find 700 miles of pet friendly trails and outdoor activities!
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Just a two-hour drive north of the California border, Crater Lake is one of Oregon’s most spectacular sites. A small island appears to float in the caldera of this ancient volcano, surrounded by the deepest lake in the United States. And, thanks to the lack of light pollution, it boasts an unforgettable view of the night sky!
The campground at Crater Lake is pet friendly, and leashed pets are welcome on the paved promenade at Rim Village, and the Godfrey Glen, Lady of the Woods, Grayback Drive, and Pacific Crest Trails. (Note: Pets can also enjoy the official PCT, not the “alternate” PCT along the rim of the lake.)
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Crater Lake National Park with Pets
Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
Craters of the Moon looks exactly like its name suggests. Surrounded by this landscape, it’s easy to imagine you’ve landed in outer space. The effect is even more spectacular after sundown when the enormous night sky sets the mood. Stargazing on a clear night is simply out of this world, and the campground at Craters of the Moon is pet friendly. Be aware that pets cannot go on the trails at this national monument.
Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley is an International Dark Sky Park and another fantastic place to view the night sky. This national park is home to expansive landscapes you won’t find anywhere else. The Badwater Basin and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are prefect places for some stargazing.
Pets are welcome in all nine of Death Valley’s campgrounds, and two hotels within the park also offer pet friendly rooms.
Dixie National Forest, Utah
Southern Utah has such a concentration of breathtaking natural beauty, it’s almost too good to be true. And Dixie National Forest’s nearly 2 million acres are no exception. With its red limestone and sandstone sculpted into elegant spires and burly hoodoos, this is one of the best places in the country for dark skies camping.
Every inch of Dixie is pet friendly, and with 28 campgrounds and camping areas, finding a place to stay is never a problem.
READ MORE ⇒ Exploring Pet Friendly Dixie National Forest
Glacier National Park, Montana
It’s no secret that Glacier National Park boasts countless stunning panoramas, from crystal lakes to snow-capped peaks. But what you may not know is that Glacier is also an International Dark Sky Park. That makes it a spectacular spot for stargazing!
All thirteen of the campgrounds in Glacier National Park are pet friendly, but pets are not allowed on the trails or in the backcountry.
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Glacier National Park With Pets
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas
Planted firmly in the heart of pet friendly Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is best known for its spectacular pink granite dome. But under these massive skies you can also enjoy incredible views of the heavens.
Hike in and camp at one of the pet friendly primitive campsites for your very own star party! Pets are welcome at the day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, and the on the Loop Trail, but not on any other trails.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Combine the Grand Canyon’s magnificent landscape with its endless skies, and you have a stargazer’s dream. Add its designation as an International Dark Sky Park and reputation for pet friendliness, and you simply can’t miss this one!
Pets are welcome in all three of the Grand Canyon’s campgrounds, as well as some rooms at Yavapai Lodge.
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting The Grand Canyon with Pets
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
This striking oasis is home to ancient bristlecone pines, stunning caves, and bighorn sheep. But it’s also a designated International Dark Sky Park. From the 13,000-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sage-covered foothills, you can enjoy of the solitude of the wilderness and some terrific dark skies camping.
All seven of Great Basin’s campgrounds are pet friendly. Leashed pets are also welcome on the Lexington Arch Trail and the trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center. Pets cannot accompany you on other trails, on tours of Lehman Caves, at evening programs, or in the backcountry.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
With the tallest sand dunes in North America and virtually no light pollution, Great Sand Dunes is a fantastic place to observe the night sky. Pets are welcome in the most commonly used areas at this national park, including Piñon Flats Campground, which can accommodate tents as well as RVs.
READ MORE ⇒ Exploring Great Sand Dunes with Dogs
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park features unique geologic formations and curious looking trees. But it’s also an International Dark Sky Park and an amazing place to admire the Milky Way.
Joshua Tree offers eight pet friendly campgrounds to choose from, and during the day there plenty of hiking options to enjoy with your pet.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park protects the largest remaining stretch of Florida dry prairie. It’s also home to an array of endangered plants and animals. But we’re focusing on the fact that this is an excellent place for dark skies camping!
The remote location protects it from light pollution. And during the day, you’ll find more than 100 miles of dirt roads to explore. Pets are welcome at the state park campground and on the multi-use trail system, but cannot go on the Hammock Trail or to the wilderness campsites.
Lyman Run State Park, Pennsylvania
While not an International Dark Sky Park like nearby Cherry Spring State Park, both of Lyman Run’s campgrounds are pet friendly, whereas pets are not allowed in the campground at Cherry Spring.
The shore of Lyman Run Reservoir is a fantastic place for people and pets to enjoy the night sky together!
Mono Lake, California
Lying at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Mono Lake is absolutely unforgettable. The magnificent tufa towers stand like sentries along the shore. And if you think it’s amazing during the day … wait until you see it at night!
There are numerous campgrounds in the area that welcome pets. But for a truly unique experience, obtain a permit and camp on the exposed lakebed surrounding Mono Lake. Or, from September through March, camp on one of the islands in Mono Lake. Note that camping is prohibited in developed recreation areas such as South Tufa, Navy Beach, Old Marina, and County Park.
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Mono Lake With Pets
Monument Valley State Park, Arizona
Monument Valley’s red desert and epic rock statues standing isolated on the vast, open landscape are instantly recognizable. And they make a striking backdrop for the night sky! Until you’ve seen the Milky Way arching over these buttes, you can’t consider yourself a stargazer.
All four privately-owned campgrounds near the south entrance of the state park welcome pets.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
The brilliant dunes covering 275 square miles at White Sands National Park are actually gypsum – not sand. And admiring the stars and planets where the landscape reflects their light is beyond imagination.
Known for it’s pet friendliness, White Sands offers backcountry camping among the dunes for you and your furry travel buddy.
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly White Sands National Park
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park certainly doesn’t need help looking good. It boasts some of the most amazing natural sites in the country. From verdant valleys to lofty granite peaks, this park is supremely photogenic. And, it turns out, it’s also among the best places for dark skies camping!
There are 12 pet friendly campgrounds at Yosemite, 9 of which will accommodate RVs and trailers, so you’ll find a spot that suits you perfectly.
We hope you find the perfect dark sky camping location, where you can admire the stars and howl at the moon!
