Stargazing Along Tucson's New ‘Astro Trail’ in Southern Arizona
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Visit Tucson
Thanks to its unique combination of mountainous terrain, an arid climate, and minimal light pollution, the southern Arizona landscape offers pristine conditions for night sky viewing—whether you’re hoping to see a planetary alignment, meteor shower, or simply want to lie back and appreciate the Milky Way in all its glory. This January, Tucson, Arizona launched a new astrotourism trail, further cementing the desert city’s reputation as a sanctuary for stargazers.
Tucson is home to an array of astronomical attractions including observatories, research centers, and vast outdoor spaces like Saguaro National Park, the world's ninth Urban Night Sky Place. The city is also a burgeoning arts and culture hub (landing it on our list of the best places to go in 2024)—meaning you can still enjoy top-notch hotels and restaurants while taking advantage of its plentiful natural wonders.
The new Tucson “Astro Trail” is a curated guide of dark-sky attractions—plus local retailers and restaurants along the way—linking five observatories, a planetarium, a laboratory, an aviation and space museum, two state parks, and a national park. Having strictly enforced light pollution control since 1972, Tucson is a pioneer of night-sky preservation—and now visitors can nimbly navigate between its many astronomy attractions using a mobile passport or printed guide.
“From our mountaintop observatory experiences to live planetarium tours of the constellations in the middle of the day, there’s a lot to discover here,” Nick Letson of the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium tells Condé Nast Traveler.
I followed the self-guided trail connecting the region’s most iconic stargazing spots and observatories. As a meteorologist and cosmic enthusiast, it suffices to say that I totally geeked out. Here are three highlights, and how travelers can experience the trail for themselves.
Saguaro National Park
Less than 30 minutes from downtown, wander among the prickly giants of the Sonoran Desert in Saguaro National Park’s two districts. Cactus Forest Scenic Loop (east) and Scenic Bajada Loop (west) are phenomenal drives with access to numerous hiking trails, including my favorite short hikes on Mica View Trail (east) and Signal Hill Trail (west).
In 2023, DarkSky International designated Saguaro National Park as the world’s ninth Urban Night Sky Place, the second in the National Park system. “There aren’t many places in the world where you can find dark skies so close to a city of roughly a million people, which means there aren’t many places where the wonders of starry sky are more accessible,” says Beth Hudick, the park’s education and outreach manager. To enjoy the park after dark, join their dark sky events like full moon hikes and star parties.
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
I couldn’t pass up a chance to partake in the intimate stargazing experience at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, a mountaintop observatory in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Half the fun is getting there, involving a scenic drive up a windy mountain road. After looking at nebulas and other celestial wonders, I got giddy gazing at Saturn’s rings through the 32-inch Schulman telescope, one of the largest public telescopes in the country.
Pima Air & Space Museum
Arriving at the Pima Air & Space Museum, I was blown away by its sheer size. From military aircraft to the Apollo command module, it’s a journey through aviation and space history at one of the largest non-government-funded aviation and space museums in the world. Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes to explore the indoor and outdoor exhibits spread across 80 acres.
Other stops
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium: Catch a live tour of the night sky in their “Tucson Sky & Beyond” show.
Kitt Peak National Observatory: Gaze at nebulas and galaxies at the largest array of optical and radio telescopes in the world.
Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory: Learn how the world’s largest telescope mirrors are manufactured during a guided tour.
Kartchner Caverns State Park and Oracle State Park: Go stargazing at these designated Dark Sky Parks by DarkSky International.
Tucson stargazing tips
Plan around the moon: A new moon is best for star visibility.
Check local events: Star parties and special events are frequent, hosted by observatories, parks, and Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
Bring layers: The desert gets cold quickly at night.
Where to stay
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort: Guests enjoy a complimentary stargazing adventure led by University of Arizona experts using the resort’s telescope to explore stars, planets, and galaxies.
Hotel Congress: Pair starry skies with musical stars at this historic downtown hotel. Dance under the stars catching a performance on their Plaza Stage, one of the hotel’s three music venues.
Canyon Ranch Tucson: The all-inclusive health resort is famous for its vast spa and wellness offerings. Guests can book a night walk in nearby Sabino Canyon and stargaze using special night vision goggles.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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