Arlington
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Arlington, WA. From the verified horizons at Paramount School Park to the scientific Bortle Class 3 reports at Hidden Peak Ridge, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Arlington
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~30.0 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 3 rating from Hidden Peak Ridge as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Everett Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Arlington offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Arlington is positioned in a strategic 'Starlight Corridor.' It is far enough from the WA metro glare to allow for deep-sky imaging, yet serves as a convenient staging area for the deeper Class 3 skies found at Hidden Peak Ridge.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Arlington
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Arlington, wait for the 4-day window surrounding the New Moon each month for the deepest contrast. Since the sun sets early in the late Winter months, you can often begin deep-sky imaging as early as 7 PM.
Expert Tips for Arlington Observers
When observing from Paramount School Park, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Arlington residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of WA to capture the lowest magnitude stars that are normally invisible from the city center. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 3 at Hidden Peak Ridge (48.9 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Arlington
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Arlington spots to preserve your night vision.
Paramount School Park
" A manageable drive from Arlington, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" Arlington observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Park in the lower lot near the street. If that lot is full please park in the lot as far from the middle field as you can with your headlights facing away from the fields. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" For the dedicated Arlington observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" While it's a bit of a journey from Arlington, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Equipment Logic: Small aperture telescopes are actually more resilient to localized heat currents than large ones on suburban nights. "
Taylor Dock
" A manageable drive from Arlington, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Arlington
Rural conditions near Arlington provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Arlington
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Discover which telescopes can best cut through the remaining regional skyglow to see these scientific targets by viewing our gear recommendations.
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
For observers in Arlington, Redoubt - American Camp serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Light domes all around, Victoria brightest and largest. Class 4. Hazy, fog to the south, high humidity, seeing very good, transparency fair. Sky at 30 degrees altitude and lower much poorer than other parts, airglow cannot be discerned because of light domes and haze. No Zodiacal light, even in AM. Evening hours better, Cygnus milky way at Zenith well displayed but later the entire band looks washed out. Dark adaptation difficult. Port Angeles and Port Townsend visible in early evening, lost in fog late. Puget Sound light dome subdued, Victoria light dome bright but cut off vertically to the south, presumably because of fog. Data sets 1-3 OK, 4th has problem with wire pulling out of camera, no good. 5th incomplete and no good."
Dark Sky Oasis near Arlington
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Experience the full, pristine depth of these IDA certified skies with the precision stargazing gear we recommend for Arlington residents.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Arlington stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
As one of the closest certified environments to Arlington, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Arlington
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Local astronomy clubs are great for testing gear; see what we suggest for Arlington residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for Arlington Nights
"Planning a 45-minute drive from Arlington means organization is key. Use padded equipment bags and a checklist to ensure you don't arrive at a remote dark site only to realize a crucial eyepiece was left back in Arlington."
The Arlington Field Kit
Every observer in Arlington eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. With Paramount School Park sitting at a ~30-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near Arlington.