{"id":423119,"date":"2026-01-22T15:24:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T15:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/423119\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:24:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T15:24:15","slug":"these-7-retreats-are-perfect-for-night-sky-watching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/423119\/","title":{"rendered":"These 7 retreats are perfect for night-sky watching"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stargazing might sound like something to do while camping in a dark forest or trekking a secluded mountaintop. But with the recent rise in astrotourism, driven in part by large-scale events like the\u00a02026 solar eclipse<\/a>, more people are seeking new experiences under the stars\u2014without sacrificing the comforts of a cozy cabin, lodge, or hotel.<\/p>\n

Case in point, 62 percent of 27,000 travelers surveyed in a\u00a02025 travel predictions report by Booking.com<\/a>\u00a0said they plan to travel for stargazing, making it a popular travel trend in 2026, too. In response, dark-sky state parks and other low-light pollution escapes are now adding chic star-friendly stays.<\/p>\n

(These are the best stargazing sites in North America<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Customizing accommodations for stargazing<\/p>\n

Adam Krason, an architect and principal of\u00a0ZMM Architects & Engineers<\/a>, recently designed modern\u00a0A-frame cabins<\/a>specifically for stargazing. The cabins are in Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia, home to some of the darkest skies on the East Coast of the U.S. These accommodations provide a front-row seat to star-studded skies and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable skylights. Each cabin also comes equipped with a working telescope for a closer look at dazzling constellations.<\/p>\n

The cabins are anything but primitive. \u201cOur goal on each project is to deliver our client\u2019s vision,\u201d he says. And his clients,Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, didn\u2019t want a traditional, bare-bones cabin. \u201cI think the specific goal was to create something \u2018Instagram-worthy,\u2019\u201d he says.\u00a0They ultimately landed on a modern version of the classic A-frame because it complemented the park\u2019s topography and climate, while creating a unique experience for guests.<\/p>\n

Why are travelers choosing chic stays to access the night sky? According to Krason, not all dark-sky retreats are the same. Coopers Rock State Forest is known for its trails and expansive scenic views. And as a truly hidden gem, the park poses a serene, crowd-free escape in one of the country\u2019s most underrated tourist destinations. \u201cAdding the stargazing feature [the sleek, modern cabins] seemed like a great additional amenity,\u201d he says. With five cabins open and seven more on the way, these stays offer a one-of-a-kind stargazing getaway for astrotourists.<\/p>\n

(Twelve spectacular night sky events to see in 2026<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Stargazers should consider staying at Paws Up Montana for the Green Haus, featuring an outdoor hot tub, outdoor fireplace, and inside, a large skylight above the bed. Courtesy of Paws Up Montana<\/p>\n

Captain Meriwether Lewis trekked through this area, once wilderness, to get home. Paws Up Montana is a private ranch turned high-end hospitality brand combining authentic ranch life\u2014including everything\u00a0from fly fishing to cattle drives\u2014with modern luxury. This ranch features restaurants equipped with James Beard chefs and wellness offerings\u2014all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Montana\u2019s legendary landscape and ranges, including Garnet, Swan, Mission, and Rattlesnake.<\/p>\n

The Green Haus is one of 12 architecturally forward hauses tucked among the trees and located on 37,000 acres of forest. Like all the hauses, the Green Haus has decks, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, an outdoor hot tub, and a large skylight the size of the bed\u2014not featured in the other hauses. The allure of the property is its protection from light pollution, Jake Kvale, the on-site activities manager, explains. \u201cAll of Paws Up is classified as a Bortle Dark Sky Scale class two area; the second-highest quality category when measuring light pollution,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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Brasada Ranch sits near several Dark Sky International\u2013certified areas, and the property regularly hosts stargazing nights for guests. Courtesy of Brasada Ranch<\/p>\n

Brasada Ranch sits on 1,800 acres of high desert near multiple Dark Sky International-certified areas and just beyond the\u00a0Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary<\/a>\u2014the largest on Earth. The property includes 65 standalone cabins, dubbed the Sage Canyon Cabins, that come with one to four bedrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, a fireplace, and an outdoor dining area. Those with a private hot tub enjoy excellent stargazing opportunities, says Lisa Marchese, president of Northview Hotels, which acquired the property in 2010. \u201cOn-property stargazing nights come with warm drinks and s\u2019mores, while Sage Canyon Cabins offer private decks, firepits, and hot tubs.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Dark sky retreats are on the rise\u2014here’s where to take one<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Located on a 40-acre site more than 100 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Death Valley House isn\u2019t far from its namesake, Death Valley, the largest Dark Sky National Park in the U.S. The closest town, Beatty, is 40 miles away, which means little to no light pollution for exceptional stargazing.<\/p>\n

Peter Strzebnoik, the architect, designed the house to take advantage of the scenic views. It has large floor-to-ceiling windows and was built atop a concrete platform, making the house feel like it\u2019s rising out of the landscape. \u201cAlso, the house has a large deck, which serves as a perfect platform to watch the night sky while being very close to the amenities that the house provides,\u201d he adds. The deck has a retractable roof that provides a full view of the night sky from the deck or hot tub. The main bedroom also has a skylight located above the bed.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Astrotourists will enjoy staying at Compass Rose Lodge because of the on-site Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory, equipped with powerful telescopes. Courtesy of Compass Rose Lodge<\/p>\n

Compass\u00a0Rose\u00a0Lodge is a boutique retreat that blends modern comfort with the character of Ogden Valley. The architectural style honors the area\u2019s heritage, from the barn and grain silo features to the tipis. Guests will want to explore the nearby Ogden Valley for its hiking trails, wildlife watching, and scenic drives.<\/p>\n

But stargazers will especially like Compass Rose Lodge for its on-site Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory (HALO), a research-grade facility on the property equipped with powerful telescopes and an automated dome. According to Ashley Smoot, general manager of Compass Rose Lodge, the lodge\u2019s location is recognized for minimal light pollution, which provides naturally clear night skies. Some rooms and common areas are also deliberately designed to take advantage of sky views. The lodge regularly hosts astronomy-focused activities and educational sessions, making it a welcoming spot for casual skywatchers and serious enthusiasts alike.<\/p>\n

(Where to go stargazing and glamping in southern Utah<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Architect\u2019s Off-Grid Stargazing Cabin, also known as Folly Mojave, is a part of the Folly Collection, a design-forward hospitality group known for sustainable practices, such as running entirely on solar power, as well as the design and positioning of structures to maximize natural light and reduce energy use. The cabin is part art installation, part high-comfort hideaway with a design that feels otherworldly yet grounded, merging minimalist geometry and raw materials.<\/p>\n

Stargazing is central to this luxury off-grid escape, located in a dark-sky pocket in the desert with light pollution limits. \u201cWe dedicated the upstairs to be the ultimate stargazing experience,\u201d says Hillary Flur, co-founder of Architect\u2019s Off-Grid Stargazing Cabin. The roof is fully retractable, transforming into a perfectly framed portal to the cosmos. Guests can literally fall asleep watching the Milky Way. The property intentionally keeps light pollution around the structures near zero. \u201cWe have also partnered with a local astronomer who offers a private night sky tour with professional telescopes and lasers,\u201d Flur adds.<\/p>\n

\"Interior<\/p>\n

Guests staying in a Sky Dome at Clear Sky Resorts get the beautiful starry-sky views on a clear night. Courtesy of Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon<\/p>\n

The resort sits in a private 80-acre canyon just outside of\u00a0Bryce Canyon National Park<\/a>, designated a Dark Sky Park. But even more appealing to stargazers is the fact that Clear Sky Resort is the first and only glass-dome resort of its kind in the United States. The resort\u2019s 62 Sky Domes are complete with dual-pane \u201clow-E\u201d glass,\u00a0\u00a0or low-emissivity glass, a type of window glass that blocks UV rays while allowing natural light to enter. Modern furnishings, private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and high-end linens are inside the climate-controlled domes. Outside, the resort uses fully shielded, downward-facing fixtures with amber\/red lights to minimize light pollution, illuminating what\u2019s necessary to preserve night vision for guests.<\/p>\n

On-site resort activities include stargazing tours and roasting complimentary s\u2019mores over fire pits.\u00a0The glass-domed restaurant, Sky Nova Caf\u00e9 Bar & Grill, is also worth checking out and offers a striking, futuristic dining experience with a 28-foot-tall panoramic glass window and a patio perfect for sunset and golden-hour al fresco evenings.<\/p>\n

\"Set<\/p>\n

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Lodge at Primland has an on-site observatory, open throughout the year.<\/p>\n

The Lodge at Primland features an on-site observatory, equipped with Celestron CGE Pro 1400 and CPC 800 telescopes, giving guests an extraordinary glimpse of the solar system.\u00a0A natural paradise in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the region offers remarkably vivid celestial views due to its altitude and clear night skies. The observatory is available year-round to all guests for nightly stargazing sessions led by a resident astronomer. The resort also has unique accommodation options, including towering Mountain Top Tree Houses and the two-story Celestial Suite with starry views. Guests should take advantage of the complimentary nightly fireside s\u2019mores, nature walks, disc golf, and lawn games such as bocce, croquet, and cornhole.<\/p>\n

(Essential kit for stargazing, from cosy clothing to clever astronomy tools<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Michelle Mastro is a lifestyle, travel, and culture writer based in Indianapolis. Follow her on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n