Skies of Cherry Springs State Park

If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, you probably know finding total darkness can be difficult. Vast stretches of land are occupied by densely populated cities and their surrounding suburbs, leaving stars shrouded by man-made light pollution. Fortunately, the beautiful stretches of untouched sky that come with low populations may be closer than you think.

Cherry Springs State Park is an underrated gem in northern Pennsylvania known for its excellent campgrounds and portrait-like skies that fuel the imagination. Just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this park makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Cherry Springs was named the first International Dark Sky Park in the eastern United States because of its outdoor lighting practices that decrease light pollution. For this reason, it is a favorite of astronomers, novice campers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

Several hiking trails are available throughout the park, ranging from a short, one-mile trail to a more challenging hike up the 2,300-foot-high mountain. The park has all of the amenities of a typical state park: picnic areas, information stations and campsites. What most visit for, though, is the incredible peek into the solar system. Cherry Springs State Park is a particularly great place for photographers, as the depth of the night sky is unlike any you will see anywhere else in the northeastern United States.

For lodging, visitors are welcome to set up tents or RVs at campsites in the park for a small fee. It is also possible to rent out observation domes, where visitors can watch the stars through telescopes. In certain months, cabins are also available to rent in the park, though visitors must call ahead and reserve these because they book quickly during peak summer months.

Whether you’re a resident of the Mid-Atlantic region or you’re coming from a further distance, the breathtaking sights of this state park make it a worthy excursion, particularly in the coming summer months.