View national forecast

Where to stargaze across the U.S.

Arkansas currently leads this national discovery view with a great signal.

Top regional window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Check tonight's forecast View national map

More planning links

Tonight timing Astronomy calendar Events Guides Milky Way tonight Milky Way season calendar

How to use this page

This page is the national discovery layer for where to stargaze across the U.S. Scan top-performing states and cities, choose a target area, then use the decision page or map for exact timing and risk checks.

Best states tonight

Forecast updated Jul 13

1. Arkansas

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

95View state forecast

2. Colorado

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

95View state forecast

3. North Dakota

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

95View state forecast

4. Pennsylvania

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-1:00 AM EDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

94View state forecast

5. West Virginia

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM EDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

94View state forecast

6. Wisconsin

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

94View state forecast

7. Wyoming

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

94View state forecast

8. Illinois

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

93View state forecast

9. Indiana

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM EDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

93View state forecast

10. Connecticut

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-1:00 AM EDT

Clear window with strong viewing conditions.

92View state forecast

Best locations now

Best places to check tonight

1. North Region Arkansas

State: Arkansas

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

91View location

2. South Region Arkansas

State: Arkansas

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

91View location

3. Central Region Colorado

State: Colorado

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear skies

91View location

4. North Region North Dakota

State: North Dakota

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

91View location

5. Central Region North Dakota

State: North Dakota

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

91View location

6. South Region North Dakota

State: North Dakota

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

91View location

7. Central Region Arkansas

State: Arkansas

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

90View location

8. North Region Colorado

State: Colorado

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear skies

90View location

9. South Region Colorado

State: Colorado

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear skies

90View location

10. North Region Pennsylvania

State: Pennsylvania

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-1:00 AM EDT

Clear skies

90View location

11. Central Region Pennsylvania

State: Pennsylvania

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-1:00 AM EDT

Clear skies

90View location

12. South Region Pennsylvania

State: Pennsylvania

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-1:00 AM EDT

Clear skies

90View location

Regional forecasts gaining visibility

Useful state-level areas to compare before choosing a local target

These regional forecast pages are starting to appear in search results. Use them as discovery shortcuts, then verify the map and state view before committing to a drive.

Colorado regional forecast

North Region Colorado

Tonight score: 90 (Great)

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

Clear skies

View regional forecast View Colorado Open map

Ohio regional forecast

Central Region Ohio

Tonight score: 88 (Good)

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM EDT

Clear skies

View regional forecast View Ohio Open map

Missouri regional forecast

Central Region Missouri

Tonight score: 85 (Good)

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Clear skies

View regional forecast View Missouri Open map

California regional forecast

South Region California

Tonight score: 80 (Good)

Best window: Monday 10:00 PM-12:00 AM PDT

Clear skies

View regional forecast View California Open map

Quick answers

Common stargazing planning questions

How do I choose where to stargaze first?

Start with top states, then compare city-level windows and limiting factors before committing to a destination.

When should I switch to tonight decision pages?

After you shortlist a location, use the homepage or /stargazing-tonight for execution timing and final go/no-go confirmation.

Guides for better outcomes

Use these before you commit to a drive

All stargazing guides

Higher-confidence options

Useful starting points when access quality matters

North Region Arkansas

Score: 91

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

South Region Arkansas

Score: 91

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM CDT

Central Region Colorado

Score: 91

Best window: Monday 11:00 PM-2:00 AM MDT

North Region North Dakota

Score: 91

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Central Region North Dakota

Score: 91

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

South Region North Dakota

Score: 91

Best window: Tuesday 12:00 AM-3:00 AM CDT

Recommended journey

Turn forecast data into an execution plan

1) Check tonight's forecast 2) Select event target 3) Choose location + timing 4) Apply checklist guidance