West Texas is one of the best places in the country for stargazing, with some of the darkest nighttime skies in North America. It isn't difficult to get beyond the reach of city lights and under a sky filled with stars. From observatories and International Dark Sky Parks to quiet roads and backcountry trails, here’s where to catch nature’s premier light show.
McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis
Technically part of UT–Austin—but located far from the capital, sitting atop Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains—the McDonald Observatory is as world-class as its surroundings. It’s one of the country’s top institutions for astronomical research, public education and community outreach, and its telescopes are quite lucky: They get to peer into some of the darkest night skies in the Lower 48. The largest of the observatory’s many telescopes, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, has a 10-by-11-meter (33-by-36-foot) mirror, making it fit for exploring distant galaxies and even dark energy. Take a guided tour by day to learn more about the observatory’s work and its powerful instruments.
Attend a Star Party
For a memorable night under the stars, reserve a spot at one of the observatory’s evening star parties. Advance reservations are required. Settle into the outdoor amphitheater, gaze through the observatory’s telescopes and take in the night sky beneath the Davis Mountains.
The Local Chapter Yurts, Terlingua
Adjacent to Big Bend National Park, The Local Chapter has four luxury yurts spread out atop Maverick Mountain, high above the town of Terlingua. Each has unobstructed, 360-degree views of the Chisos Mountain Range, the Rio Grande and—come nightfall—billions of stars. Welcome to International Dark Sky Park territory.
Each yurt is a far cry from your grandfather’s style of camping. Expect heating and air conditioning, an indoor fireplace, a king bed with Italian linens, an oversized shower, a mini-fridge, an outdoor fire ring and your own personal stargazing telescope. You’ll only need the telescope for locating planets and surveying patterns on the moon’s surface—not for spotting the stars themselves!
The yurts are designed with couples in mind (max occupancy is two), and The Local Chapter will set you up with itinerary ideas and dining details as you like. Spend your days hiking, horseback riding, scouting out ghost towns or window-shopping at nearby art galleries. But come nightfall, be sure to get yourself back by the fire, under the luminous canopy of stars, for an experience you’ll never forget.
Grapevine Hills, Big Bend National Park
Grapevine Hills is worth a visit by day, but the remote setting also makes it a place to enjoy Big Bend’s dark night skies. Plan your visit around the hike to Balanced Rock, and consider staying nearby after sunset to take in the stars.
From Big Bend’s Panther Junction Visitor Center, drive west for 3.3 miles, then turn right onto Grapevine Hills Road. The improved dirt road is usually accessible to all vehicles, but check with the visitor center about conditions after recent rain. After 6.4 miles, you’ll reach the Grapevine Hills trailhead. From there, it’s a short-but-sweet 1.1-mile hike to Balanced Rock, where a field of ancient volcanic boulders includes one particularly striking, precariously balanced formation.
You could stay here for nightfall, waiting to see why this national park is gold-tier designated by the International Dark Sky Association. Or, hike back to the road and choose one of the five primitive campsites located along it (at 0.3 miles, 3.8 miles, and at the end of the road). Note that primitive here means primitive—the only amenities you’ll have access to are what you bring with you. Not including the stars.
Monahans Sandhills State Park, Monahans
Just off I-20, Monahans Sandhills State Park provides a 3,800-acre sandbox to play in beneath the stars. Plan to arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy the dunes before settling in for the night sky. Get in a few sand-sliding runs and watch the dunes change color as the sun sets. The park’s soft, shifting landscape makes for a distinctive place to spend an afternoon outdoors.
As the light fades, find a soft spot—hint: it’s all soft—to lie back and enjoy the nightly show. If you snag one of the park’s campsites, you’ll wake up to sand dunes with patterns that have changed overnight. Take some photos: From the sand to the sky, this state park is never the same twice.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio
Here’s a quick stargazing lesson: The Bortle Dark-Sky Scale measures night-sky visibility from 1 to 9, with class 9 representing the brightest urban skies and class 1 the darkest. Much of massive Big Bend Ranch State Park rates as class 1, where the Milky Way is a familiar nightly sight.
Where to Stargaze in the Park
A visit to any part of the park can bring remarkable night-sky views, but a few specific spots stand out for their combination of stellar views and accessibility. Check out River Road, the West Contrabando Trailhead, Big Hill and the Hoodoos—where Fido is welcome! Big Bend Ranch State Park’s wide-open landscapes are worth exploring before nightfall, too.
Spend the day discovering the park’s trails and scenic viewpoints, then settle in after dark to enjoy the stars. If you set up camp at one of the park’s primitive campsites, consider skipping the campfire and definitely keep that cell phone screen turned off. Out here, feast your eyes on starlight alone.
