Lake Goodwin
Stargazing Guide.
Just 26.3 miles from the center of Lake Goodwin, lies some of the region's best viewing at Paramount School Park. We feature instrumented readings from Young Hill to guarantee the most accurate sky quality data.
Stargazing Logistics for Lake Goodwin
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~26.3 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Young Hill 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 Lake Goodwin offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Lake Goodwin 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 Young Hill.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Lake Goodwin
For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in Lake Goodwin. This is when local industrial lighting and residential 'sky glow' is at its minimum, and the most prominent Winter constellations are directly overhead at the zenith.
Expert Tips for Lake Goodwin Observers
Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near Lake Goodwin, looking slightly to the side of a faint nebula will reveal much more detail than looking directly at it, especially when dealing with the Class 5+ suburban skies of the WA region. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Young Hill (50.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Lake Goodwin
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Max out your local session by using the essential observer gear staged for the Lake Goodwin environment.
Paramount School Park
" A manageable drive from Lake Goodwin, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" Heading out from Lake Goodwin toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. 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 Lake Goodwin 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
" Pack some snacks for the drive from Lake Goodwin; this destination is a justified detour. 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 Lake Goodwin, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Sky Contrast Tip: To see the Milky Way, wait for the Moon to go below the horizon; even a 25% crescent Moon can wash out the faintest nebulae. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Lake Goodwin
Rural conditions near Lake Goodwin provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Lake Goodwin
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, Lake Goodwin observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Young Hill
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
Lake Goodwin enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Young Hill to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Transparency improves as it gets later (very good), seeing excellent. The Milky Way is washed out noticeably, but only slightly at the Zenith. Light dome of Victoria to at least 60 degrees altitude. Gradients throughout the sky, no region is uniformly dark. Milky Way disappears below Scutum, Sagittarius star cloud nearly invisible, lost in light dome of Victoria (at least 4 or 5 times brighter). Dark adaptation is not possible without shielding the eyes. Glare from hundreds of unshielded lights, brightest in the Sidney area 2 or 3 times brighter than Venus. However, at Zenith, the Cygnus Milky Way exhibits the North America nebula, rift in the star cloud, Great Rift visible throughout its entire length."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
Lake Goodwin enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Redoubt - American Camp to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"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 Lake Goodwin
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
Lake Goodwin stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
The protected skies at Antelope, Oregon represent a vital astronomical asset for the Lake Goodwin observing community.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Lake Goodwin
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 Lake Goodwin Nights
"For the extended excursion from Lake Goodwin, prioritize "travel-ready" optics. A 4.5-inch reflector or 70mm refractor provides the perfect balance of discovery power and trunk-space efficiency."
The Lake Goodwin Field Kit
Every observer in Lake Goodwin eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. With Paramount School Park sitting at a ~26-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 Lake Goodwin.