Top Stargazing Spots Around Las Vegas for Night Sky Enthusiasts
Las Vegas may be known for its bright lights, but just beyond the neon of the Strip is a whole different kind of show — the starry skies of the Mojave Desert. For astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike, stargazing near Las Vegas is a great way to get out of the city and fall in love with the cosmos.
Stargazing Near Home at Red Rock Canyon
Just 21 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a quick getaway for city folk looking to stargaze. It’s not the darkest site in the area, but it’s close enough to be a great spot for a spontaneous stargazing adventure.
For the best views, head to the First Creek area or Oak Creek trailhead off SR 159. These areas have pullouts along the road off the main scenic loop. On clear nights, you’ll see decent stars, planets, and other celestial objects framed by the red rock cliffs.
Red Rock also occasionally offers night sky programs and “Astronomy Hikes” led by naturalists, so keep an eye out for these kinds of events.
For Cooler Nights and Brighter Stars, Visit Mount Charleston
Want to escape the heat while stargazing? Head to Mount Charleston, about 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas. At over 7,700 feet elevation, it’s much darker and cooler, which can be a welcome relief on hot summer nights. Great places to stargaze here include the visitor center parking lot and various trailhead areas.
The Las Vegas Astronomical Society often hosts star parties here, where you can look through high-powered telescopes and learn from experienced stargazers. Even without special equipment, the clear mountain air and elevation provide great visibility on clear nights.
Valley of Fire: Another Planet, Only an Hour from Vegas
For a truly out-of-this-world stargazing experience, drive an hour to Valley of Fire State Park. About 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, this park has very dark skies and a landscape that looks like another planet, and on clear nights, you can see the Milky Way with your naked eye.
One thing to note: the park gates are closed at night, so you’ll have to either camp inside the park or view from just outside the boundaries. If you do camp, you’ll have more flexibility to move around the park after dark to different stargazing spots.
See the Stars Over Still Water at Lake Mead
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, just 30-45 minutes from Las Vegas, has over 1.5 million acres of stargazing real estate. The area has nine different wilderness areas, so you can find plenty of dark spots to view the night sky.
One popular spot is the Sunset View Overlook, but for even darker skies, head to the northern areas of Lake Mead, like the Echo Bay/Overton area. Locals also recommend the Pinto Valley Wilderness to see the most stars.
Death Valley Has the Darkest Skies
If you’re willing to drive a bit farther (about 2 hours from Las Vegas), Death Valley National Park has some of the darkest skies in the country. That means many celestial objects visible here can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. Plus, if you time it right, you just might catch one of the park’s ranger-led night sky programs or the annual Dark Sky Festival in the spring.
When you go, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Harmony Borax Works, and Badwater Basin are the best spots — they have unobstructed views of the night sky and interesting foregrounds for astrophotography.
Have Fun Stargazing!
Whether you’re an astronomer or just looking for a peaceful night under the stars, the areas around Vegas have some amazing stargazing opportunities. The stars are calling — will you answer?