Highwood
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Highwood area serves as a strategic corridor for IL observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Volo Bog with professional NPS sky reports at Dune Trail for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Highwood
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Volo Bog. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~20.6 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class C (Suburban). Use the instrumented 5 rating from Dune Trail as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Northwest Suburban Astronomers for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Highwood offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Highwood is positioned in a strategic 'Starlight Corridor.' It is far enough from the IL metro glare to allow for deep-sky imaging, yet serves as a convenient staging area for the deeper Class 5 skies found at Dune Trail.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Highwood
Observation in Highwood is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Midwest region often result in significantly higher transparency, allowing you to see objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula with much more definition.
Expert Tips for Highwood Observers
Thermal equilibrium is key. Since Highwood temperatures can shift rapidly after sunset, allow your telescope mirrors at least 45 minutes to 'cool down' before attempting high-magnification work at Volo Bog. This prevents 'tube currents' from blurring your view of Jupiter or Saturn. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 5 at Dune Trail (205.1 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Highwood
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 Highwood's local horizons.
Volo Bog
" Heading out from Highwood toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Light snacks and drinks will be available. Light snacks and drinks will be available. "
Peck Farm Park
" A manageable drive from Highwood, 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. "
Modine-Benstead Observatory
" Highwood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Vision Technique: Try 'Averted Vision'—look slightly to the side of a faint object to use the more light-sensitive rods in your eyes. "
Ela Area Public LIbrary
" A short hop from Highwood, this spot is a top-tier local choice. Light snacks and drinks will be available. "
Schoolyard Observatory
" A manageable drive from Highwood, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Meteor Watching Tip: Don't look at one spot; keep your eyes moving across the sky. Your peripheral vision is more sensitive to motion. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Highwood
Urban viewing is best for high-contrast targets. Head to Volo Bog to escape local glare.
Sky Quality Reports for Highwood
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Highwood observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Dune Trail
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Dune Trail provide Highwood residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"No clouds, but high moisture in atmosphere is creating poor transparency. Stars are soft, with a ring of moisture visible around bright stars. High airglow apparent. Milky Way just visible, no detials apparent. Travese City light dome dominates the eastern horizon. Reflection of Travese City dome is visible on Glen Lake, further impacting dark adaptation in that direction. Transparency improved over the night, with the best conditions at the end of data collection. Bortle Class would be better under better atmospheric conditions."
Kemil Beach
Indiana Dunes NL
Local Relevance
Highwood enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Kemil Beach to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Local glare from the western most home in the "1933 Century of Progress" homes. Other glare sources from the power plants to the SW and NE along the lakeshore are easily visible but did not saturate the camera sensor. A clear view across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline, though clouds and haze never completely cleared away. I suspect the industrial developments from the Port of Indiana all the way around to Chicago has a significant impact on aeresols and local cloud development. Even so, at 35 miles distant, the illuminated buildings of the Chicago skyline were easily visible to the naked eye on this evening. The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features."
Dark Sky Oasis near Highwood
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.
Hawthorn Woods, Illinois
As one of the closest certified environments to Highwood, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
2 Lagoon Drive Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 USA
Palos Preserves
The protected skies at Palos Preserves represent a vital astronomical asset for the Highwood observing community.
9800 Willow Springs Rd Willow Springs, IL 60480
Astronomy Clubs for Highwood
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 Highwood residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for Highwood Nights
"Because you're heading just outside the Highwood light dome, ensure your kit includes a dedicated "dew shield" to protect your optics from the humidity shifts found in the transitions between urban and rural zones."
The Highwood Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Highwood requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional suburban benchmarks. Since Volo Bog offers a specific Class 5 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.