Stargazing in United States

Stargazing in Texas: 36 dark-sky spots, rated by data

We measured the night sky over every one of these spots: satellite radiance, skyglow from surrounding cities, and ten years of cloud climatology (how the Sky Score works). The darkest sky in Texas scores 70/100. Each spot guide also lists places to stay nearby, every one rated for the darkness measured at the hotel itself, so you can sleep under the sky you came for.

All Texas spots, darkest first

#SpotSky ScoreDarknessWhere to stay
1Rio Grande OverlookViewpoint70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
2LM PeakViewpoint70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
3South Rim ViewpointViewpoint70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
4Animal HighwaysViewpoint70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
5The Window ViewpointViewpoint70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
6Big Bend National ParkPark / protected area70/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
7Persimmon Gap Draw hikeViewpoint69/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
8Mule Ears OverlookViewpoint69/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
9Homer Wilson Ranch OverlookViewpoint69/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
10Would You Hold Still PleaseViewpoint69/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
11Tuff Canyon East OverlookViewpoint68/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
12Santa Elena Canyon OverlookViewpoint68/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
13Salt Basin OverlookViewpoint67/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
14Guadalupe Mountains WildernessPark / protected area67/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
15Elephant RockViewpoint65/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
16Caprock Canyons State Park & TrailwayPark / protected area64/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
17Fort Davis National Historic SitePark / protected area59/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
18Padre Island National SeashorePark / protected area54/100≈ Bortle 2Stays →
19Alibates Flint Quarries National MonumentPark / protected area53/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
20Lake Meredith National Recreation AreaPark / protected area53/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
21Palo Duro Canyon State ParkPark / protected area51/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
22Amistad National Recreation AreaPark / protected area47/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
23Blackwell School National Historic SitePark / protected area47/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
24Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical ParkPark / protected area46/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
25Turkey Hill WildernessPark / protected area45/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
26Big Thicket National PreservePark / protected area41/100≈ Bortle 3Stays →
27Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management AreaPark / protected area40/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
28Goose Island State ParkPark / protected area37/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
29Buescher State ParkPark / protected area37/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
30Mustang Island State ParkPark / protected area34/100≈ Bortle 4Stays →
31Waco Mammoth National MonumentPark / protected area32/100≈ Bortle 5Stays →
32Brazos Bend State ParkPark / protected area31/100≈ Bortle 5Stays →
33Tony Houseman/Blue Elbow Swamp Wildlife Management AreaPark / protected area30/100≈ Bortle 5Stays →
34San Antonio Missions National Historical ParkPark / protected area30/100≈ Bortle 5Stays →
35World Birding Center - Resaca De La Palma State ParkPark / protected area28/100≈ Bortle 5Stays →
36World Birding Center - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State ParkPark / protected area26/100≈ Bortle 6Stays →

More of United States: Utah · Arizona · New Mexico · Nevada, or see the overall ranking.