Lakes & rivers Forests
Cherry Springs State Park
About
Cherry Springs sits at 2,300 feet on the Allegheny Plateau, ringed by Susquehannock State Forest with no town close enough to glow. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is a mowed clearing with a full 360 degree horizon, concrete telescope pads, RV style power pedestals, and wi-fi. On a clear moonless night the Milky Way throws a shadow. DarkSky International certified the park Gold Tier in 2008, among the first anywhere, and it still reads Bortle 2, one of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. The free Night Sky Public Viewing Area north of Route 44 has restrooms and a shielded amphitheater for shorter visits. Come within a few nights of new moon, June through October for the galactic core. The overnight field is first come, not reservable: register and pay at the contact station, drive on before dusk since after dark you park in the lot and walk in, and bring red filters because white light is banned.
Highlights
Bortle 2DarkSky Gold Tier since 20082,300 ft ridge360-degree observation fieldOvernight field: permit, first comeNew moon, June to October
