Clover Creek
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Clover Creek, WA. From the verified horizons at Covington Community Park to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Burroughs Mountain, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Clover Creek
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Covington Community Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~20.4 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Burroughs Mountain as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Tacoma Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Clover Creek offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Clover Creek 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 4 skies found at Burroughs Mountain.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Clover Creek
In WA, the transitional periods of early Summer often provide a stable atmosphere between weather fronts. For Clover Creek residents, this means less 'star twinkling' (scintillation) and a significantly steadier view for high-magnification planetary observation.
Expert Tips for Clover Creek Observers
Thermal equilibrium is key. Since Clover Creek temperatures can shift rapidly after sunset, allow your telescope mirrors at least 45 minutes to 'cool down' before attempting high-magnification work at Covington Community Park. This prevents 'tube currents' from blurring your view of Jupiter or Saturn. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Burroughs Mountain (36.8 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Clover Creek
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. To get the most out of these verified spots, ensure your mobile reconnaissance kit is ready for Clover Creek's local horizons.
Covington Community Park
" Heading out from Clover Creek toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Heading out from Clover Creek toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" A manageable drive from Clover Creek, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Deep Sky Advice: Allow at least 20 minutes in total darkness for your pupils to fully dilate. You'll notice faint nebulae that were invisible at first. "
Paramount School Park
" A manageable drive from Clover Creek, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from Clover Creek, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. 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. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Clover Creek
Rural conditions near Clover Creek provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Clover Creek
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Seeing the faint magnitude targets listed in these NPS readings often requires the specific gear we've staged for Clover Creek nights in our observer field kit.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Clover Creek enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"High Cirrus to North West"
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Clover Creek enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Plummer Peak to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Plummer Peak in Mount Rainier NP on 9/23/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.09 SQM."
Dark Sky Oasis near Clover Creek
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Planning a trip to a nearby Dark Sky Park? Ensure your kit is ready by viewing our staged observer advice below.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Clover Creek observing community.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
As one of the closest certified environments to Clover Creek, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Clover Creek
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Planning to join a local session? Make sure you have the essentials ready by checking our starter kit recommendations.
Gearing Up for Clover Creek Nights
"For the manageable 20-mile commute from Clover Creek, we recommend a "split-tube" or collapsible Dobsonian. It gives you the power of a large light bucket while still fitting comfortably in most standard Clover Creek commuter vehicles."
The Clover Creek Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Clover Creek requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With Covington Community Park sitting at a ~20-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.