Bothell West.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Bothell West, WA. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
4
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
21.35
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Bothell West

  • Top Community Pick: Paramount School Park (~5.9 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 4.0 at Obstruction Point
  • Local Experts: Seattle Astronomical Society
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Bothell West, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at Paramount School Park for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Obstruction Point provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 4.0. The transition between the urban infrastructure of Bothell West and the more rural stretches of WA creates several ‘dark sky’ corridors.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Bothell West

For the best results in Bothell West, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.

Expert Tips for Bothell West Observers

When visiting Paramount School Park, remember to check if the gates close at sunset or if a night-use permit is required. For the best views the site, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Paramount School Park

5.9 mi
Distance

" 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "

Shoreline, WA 98155
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Big Rock Park

12.6 mi
Distance

" 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. "

Duvall, WA 98019
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Snoqualmie Point Park

27.1 mi
Distance

" Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "

Snoqualmie, WA 98065
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Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead

27.1 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Snoqualmie, WA 98045
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Covington Community Park

31.1 mi
Distance

" Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "

Covington, WA 98042
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Scientific Audit

NPS Sky Measurements

Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.

Obstruction Point

Olympic NP

21.35 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"Transparency remarkably good after yesterday's fire smoke, seeing very good. Few high clouds to the west and north, remnants of fire smoke to the northeast. Direct glare from many very bright lights on Vancouver Island and a few Port Angeles lights, otherwise the high ridges of the Olympic Mountains effectively block any other glare from the Puget Sound area. After moon sets, the zenith is quite dark with the Cygnus Milky Way very detailed, but a broad and fairly bright light dome toward Seattle and Puget Sound dominates the eastern sky. Excellent site for monitoring. Perhaps an area 30 degrees in diameter near the zenith offers reasonable visual observations. Otherwise the sky is very modified by light pollution. ZLM 6.9 with difficulty, the eastern sky must be shielded by the ridgetop to achieve this as it definitely affects scotopic vision. The treeless ridge is easy to navigate by the light of the sky. Milky Way easily seen near the zenith,but loses its character rapidly approaching the horizon. Fog appears to move in in early morning through the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the northern Puget Sound area, suppressing light pollution and significantly improving the sky quality."

Observation Date
9/23/2009
Elevation
1969m
Zenith Brightness
21.4

Redoubt - American Camp

San Juan Island NHP

21.12 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"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."

Observation Date
8/17/2012
Elevation
62m
Zenith Brightness
21.13

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 182.5 miles

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a scenic and tranquil state park in North Central Oregon. Spanning over 16,000 acres of public land, Oregon’s second-largest…

Category
International Dark Sky Park
Certified
2024
Land Area
65 Sq. Km
Coordinates
45.4699, -120.4426
IDA Certified Distance: 212.7 miles

Antelope, Oregon

Located in the upper Antelope Valley of north-central Oregon, the city of Antelope lies along an ancient route connecting the John Day watershed to the Great…

Category
International Dark Sky Community
Certified
2024
Land Area
1.19 Sq. Km
Coordinates
44.9105, -120.7227

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#487

Seattle Astronomical Society

Seattle, WA

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#172

Everett Astronomical Society

Everett, WA