Cherry Springs State Park is a relatively small state park in the northern part of Pennsylvania. There are no major cities for over a hundred miles in each direction, allowing the park to have the darkest skies on the east coast.  In 2007 it was designated as an International Dark Sky Park and has since attracted astronomers from around the globe.

Highlights:

• Stargazing: Visitors come to Cherry Springs for one thing: to view the night sky. At 2300 feet atop the Allegheny Plateau, stars, planets, and even the shadow of the Milky Way is visible.  There are two observation fields. One is for serious astronomers and photographers, the other for the general public. The night we visited was clear, and we layed out on a blanket for hours, just mesmerized by the expansive sky. It was an experience that I won’t soon forget. Photographing the sky requires talent and equipment that I don’t possess, so these photos have been borrowed from internet sources but were taken at Cherry Springs.

• Nature Trail: The sky is definitely the main event at Cherry Springs, but there is a picturesque nature trail with a varied scenery, wild life, and lots of berry bushes with ripe raspberries and blackberries. The whole family enjoyed the short, but pretty trail.

Travel Tip: Unless you are a hardcore camper, consider staying at some of the other state parks in the region and driving up at night for stargazing. Although the campsites were huge, the campground is very rustic with latrine style toilets and no running water. There also wasn’t much to do during the day, with the exception of the short nature trail. So although we had planned for two nights, we left after just one.

For Kids: It’s tough for little ones to wait patiently for the stars to appear, but enjoying a beautiful sunset with a campfire and some smores helps pass the time. Fun for parents too!

Until planning this trip, I had never heard of a “dark park”, but after experiencing the awe-inspiring views of the sky from Cherry Springs State Park, I know we’ll be back!