Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park

Sky Score 44/100≈ Bortle 4

8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park is a protected area in Nevada with a measured darkness of 65/100 (≈ Bortle 4), a good rural sky: the Milky Way is clearly visible, with some glow on the horizon toward nearby towns. The best month to come is typically July, when about 85% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 24/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 81%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January31%29/100
February46%37/100
March41%35/100
April54%41/100
May57%43/100
June75%52/100
July ★85%57/100
August84%57/100
September81%55/100
October73%51/100
November50%39/100
December32%29/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park: sleep under a dark sky

We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park for each.

59/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Sky darkness
59/100
To the spot
9.7 km

59/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Hyatt Residence Club Lake Tahoe, High Sierra Lodge

Sky darkness
59/100
To the spot
9.8 km
Location
Incline Village

More stays nearby

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites

    Darkness: 47/100 · 9.9 km from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park · Carson City

    Check availability →
  • Hampton Inn & Suites

    Darkness: 47/100 · 9.9 km from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park · Carson City

    Check availability →
  • Carson Tahoe Hotel

    Darkness: 40/100 · 10 km from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park · Carson City

    Check availability →
  • St Charles Historic Hotel, Carson City NV

    Darkness: 40/100 · 10 km from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park · Carson City

    Check availability →
  • The Federal Hotel

    Darkness: 40/100 · 10 km from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park · Carson City

    Check availability →

Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.

Live prices around Carson City

Carson City is the closest base to Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.

Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.

Nearby spots in Nevada

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).