Water Canyon Overlook
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Water Canyon Overlook is a scenic viewpoint in Nevada with a measured darkness of 77/100 (≈ Bortle 3), a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically July, when about 79% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 28/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 78%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Water Canyon Overlook
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 31% | 35/100 |
| February | 47% | 44/100 |
| March | 47% | 44/100 |
| April | 58% | 51/100 |
| May | 58% | 51/100 |
| June | 71% | 59/100 |
| July ★ | 79% | 64/100 |
| August | 78% | 63/100 |
| September | 78% | 63/100 |
| October | 72% | 60/100 |
| November | 55% | 49/100 |
| December | 34% | 37/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Water Canyon Overlook: 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 Water Canyon Overlook for each.
57/100sky darkness at this stay
Fairfield Inn & Suites Winnemucca
- Sky darkness
- 57/100
- To the spot
- 11.6 km
- Location
- Winnemucca
#2Town House Motel
5.9(420 reviews)
Town House Motel provides straightforward accommodations in Winnemucca with free Wi-Fi and private parking available on site. Each air-conditioned room includes a refrigerator, flat-screen TV with DIRECTV and HBO, private bathroom, and complimentary toiletries.
- Sky darkness
- 52/100
- To the spot
- 12.8 km
50/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
Check availability →Super 8
Darkness: 50/100 · 6.6 (208 reviews) · 12.7 km from Water Canyon Overlook · Winnemucca
Check availability →Holiday Inn Express
Darkness: 50/100 · 8.3 Very well rated (210 reviews) · 12.7 km from Water Canyon Overlook · Winnemucca
- Check availability →
Winner's Hotel
Darkness: 50/100 · 12.8 km from Water Canyon Overlook · Winnemucca
- Check availability →
Winner's Hotel
Darkness: 50/100 · 12.8 km from Water Canyon Overlook · Winnemucca
Check availability →Candlewood Suites
Darkness: 50/100 · 8.8 Very well rated (127 reviews) · 12.8 km from Water Canyon Overlook
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Winnemucca
Winnemucca is the closest base to Water Canyon Overlook 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
- South Jackson Mountains Wilderness 85.8 km · Sky Score 63/100
- North Jackson Mountains Wilderness 88 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Black Rock Desert Wilderness 98.7 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area 123.7 km · Sky Score 63/100
- North Black Rock Range Wilderness 133.4 km · Sky Score 62/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).