Best Stargazing Near Portland: 6 Oregon Dark Sky Escapes (2026)
Oregon is home to the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world—the Oregon Outback. While Portland is a dense hub of light, the state's dry interior and high volcanic peaks offer some of the most stable and transparent skies in the United States. From the high desert plateaus to the rugged Cascades, here are 6 locations to see the stars in Oregon.
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01The Oregon Outback Advantage
Oregon has recently made headlines for designating the 'Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary', covering over 2.5 million acres of southeastern Oregon.
Rain Shadow Buffer: The Cascade Mountains act as a massive barrier to the moist, cloudy air of the coast and the light pollution of the Willamette Valley. High Desert Clarity: Once you cross the Cascades, the air becomes exceptionally dry, resulting in world-class 'transparency' for deep-sky observing. Statewide Commitment: Oregon has a growing network of dark sky parks and preserves, from the coast to the canyonlands.
Bortle Scale
021. Pine Mountain Observatory (Bend Area)
Distance from Portland: 3.5 hours | Bortle Class: 2-3 | Best For: Professional-grade public observing
Operated by the University of Oregon, Pine Mountain is a premier high-altitude observatory that welcomes the public.
Highlights:
- View through professional-grade telescopes during public nights.
- High elevation (6,300 ft) puts you above most of the atmosphere's haze.
- Dedicated primitive camping nearby for all-night sessions.
Note: Check the PMO website for seasonal opening dates and weather-dependent public nights.
Stay22 - Bend & Sunriver Stays
“Find dark-sky friendly stays in the Bend/Sunriver area.”
Why we love it
Sunriver is a Dark Sky Community. Staying here allows you to observe from your balcony and be at the observatory in 40 minutes.
032. Alvord Desert (SE Oregon)
Distance from Portland: 7 hours | Bortle Class: 1 | Best For: The absolute darkest sky in the US
The Alvord Desert is a massive dry lake bed in the heart of the Oregon Outback. It is as close to total darkness as you can find in the contiguous US.
Why go:
- Imagine 360 degrees of unobstructed horizon with zero artificial light.
- The 'Steens Mountain' provides a dramatic backdrop for astrophotography.
- Camp directly on the playa and watch the Milky Way cast shadows on the ground.
Celestron SkyMaster 25x100 Binoculars
“Giant binoculars that act like two telescopes for immersive views.”
Why we love it
In a Bortle 1 sky, these binoculars reveal the spiral arms of Andromeda and thousands of stars in the Hercules Cluster with incredible brightness.
043. Prineville Reservoir State Park
Distance from Portland: 3 hours | Bortle Class: 3 | Best For: Certified Dark Sky Park accessibility
Prineville Reservoir was the first state park in Oregon to receive International Dark Sky Park certification.
Highlights:
- Dedicated 'stargazing pads' for telescope setup.
- Frequent star parties and educational programs.
- Great water reflections for photography.
Shielded
The surrounding hills help block light from the town of Prineville.
Facilities
Excellent restrooms and camping facilities right at the viewing sites.
Reservations
Book your campsite early; this is a popular spot for Northwest astronomers.
054. LL Stub Stewart State Park
Distance from Portland: 45 mins | Bortle Class: 4-5 | Best For: Closest quality escape
Located in the Coast Range foothills, this is the most popular 'quick' escape for Portlanders.
What to expect:
- The 'Hilltop Day Use Area' is a sanctioned spot for evening observing.
- Strong community of local observers (Rose City Astronomers).
- Significant improvement over city skies, though some West Hills glow is visible.
Local Meetups
065. Silver Falls State Park
Distance from Portland: 1 hour 15 mins | Bortle Class: 4 | Best For: Waterfalls and stars
While famous for its 10 waterfalls, Silver Falls offers decent darkness once you are deep within the state park.
Highlights:
- High-elevation clearings offer good horizons.
- Great for wide-field photography over the forest canopy.
Forest Depth
Capture the stars through the canopy of ancient Douglas firs.
Cooler Air
Elevation and forest cover keep the night air crisp and clear.
Trail Safety
Don't hike the falls trails at night alone; stick to the clearings and picnic areas for stargazing.
076. Gold Beach & Southern Coast
Distance from Portland: 5 hours | Bortle Class: 3 | Best For: Ocean horizons and sea stacks
The southern Oregon coast is much darker than the north. Looking south over the Pacific offers a perfectly dark horizon for Milky Way season.
Sony Alpha a7R V
“Ultra-high resolution for the detailed textures of the Oregon landscape.”
Why we love it
Capture the rugged sea stacks of the Oregon coast and the millions of stars in the Milky Way with professional-grade detail.
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