Best Stargazing Near Seattle: 6 Pacific Northwest Dark Sky Destinations (2026)

The Pacific Northwest requires a different strategy than desert regions:

The Rain Shadow: Eastern Washington sees 300+ days of sunshine, compared to Seattle's 150. Cross the Cascades for dramatically better odds.

Summer Advantage: June-September offers the best combination of clear skies and warm temperatures. Winter is cloudier but has longer nights.

Check Forecasts: NWS weather, ClearDarkSky, and satellite imagery should all be consulted before driving.

Be Flexible: Sometimes the best strategy is deciding to go the day before, when forecasts are more reliable.

Distance from Seattle: 4 hours | Bortle Class: 3 | Best For: Public observatory, eastern WA clear skies

Goldendale Observatory sits in the rain shadow on the Columbia Plateau. It houses one of the largest public telescopes in the nation—a 24.5-inch Cassegrain.

What to Expect:

• Public programs Wednesday-Sunday evenings
• 24.5-inch telescope shows incredible detail
• Eastern WA means clearer skies than the coast

Town Tip: The town of Goldendale has adopted dark-sky-friendly lighting policies.

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours | Bortle Class: 3-4 | Best For: Iconic mountain backdrop, summer Milky Way

Rainier's 14,411-foot summit creates one of the most dramatic astrophotography foregrounds on Earth. On clear summer nights, the Milky Way arcs directly over the glaciated peak.

Viewing Spots:

• Reflection Lakes — Classic Rainier reflection shots at night
• Sunrise Area — East side, often clearer
• Paradise — Alpine meadows, but often cloudy

Summer Only: Many roads close October-May. Check conditions.

Distance from Seattle: 3-4 hours | Bortle Class: 2-3 | Best For: Remote wilderness, varied landscapes

Olympic's size and remoteness create excellent dark sky conditions—if the weather cooperates. The park ranges from rainforest to alpine to coastal, each offering unique night sky experiences.

Locations:

• Hurricane Ridge — Alpine meadows, night sky programs
• Rialto Beach — Sea stacks and stars, dramatic
• Hoh Rain Forest — Dark but often cloudy

Best Bet: Hurricane Ridge has the best combination of access and dark skies. Check for clear nights.

Distance from Seattle: 4.5 hours | Bortle Class: 4-5 | Best For: High probability of clear skies

Spokane isn't dark by itself, but a short drive into the surrounding areas offers Bortle 4-5 skies with much more reliable weather than the coast.

Where to Go:

• Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge — 30 minutes south
• Mount Spokane State Park — Higher elevation, darker
• Palouse Hills — Rolling farmland with wide horizons

Strategy: Base in Spokane for amenities, drive 30-45 minutes for darker skies.

Distance from Seattle: 3 hours (with ferry) | Bortle Class: 4 | Best For: Unique island stargazing, orcas by day

The San Juan Islands offer a unique Pacific Northwest experience—stargazing over Puget Sound with the chance of bioluminescence in the water below.

Islands to Consider:

• San Juan Island — Most services, decent dark skies away from Friday Harbor
• Orcas Island — Mount Constitution offers 360° views
• Lopez Island — Quieter, darker

Ferry Note: Late return ferries are limited. Plan to stay overnight.

Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours | Bortle Class: 2-3 | Best For: Alpine wilderness, extreme darkness

The North Cascades are among the least-visited national parks—which means genuinely dark skies in rugged mountain wilderness. The challenge is access; many areas require hiking.

Accessible Options:

• Diablo Lake Overlook — Stunning turquoise lake views, road accessible
• Washington Pass Overlook — High elevation, dramatic peaks
• Ross Lake — Requires boat or hike, but extremely dark

Season: Highway 20 closes November-May (weather dependent). Check conditions.

Weather Preparation:

• Always pack rain gear, even if forecast is clear
• Layering system: base, insulation, waterproof shell
• Set realistic expectations—cloudy nights happen

Gear:

• Red LED headlamp
• Rain jacket (always)
• Warm layers (nights are cool even in summer)
• Hand warmers
• Thermos with hot drinks
• Wide-angle fast lens for Milky Way

Best Months:

• July-August: Best weather, but shortest true darkness (far north = late twilight)
• September: Excellent conditions, Milky Way still visible, fewer crowds
• March-April: Clear streaks possible, variable

Cloud Resources:

• ClearDarkSky.com for specific sites
• NWS satellite loops
• Local astronomy club reports