Marysville
Stargazing Guide.

Discover why the Marysville area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Paramount School Park with professional NPS sky reports at Hidden Peak Ridge for a complete astronomical perspective.

Scientific NPS Bortle Regional Benchmarking
3
~52.6mi at Hidden Peak Ridge
Scientific NPS SQM Instrumented Reading
21.49
Regional Atmospheric Base
Verified Spots Community Vetted
5
~24.0mi to Paramount School Park
Dark Sky Oasis Certified IDA Park
197.8mi
IDA: Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Stargazing Logistics for Marysville

  • STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~24.0 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 Marysville offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Local Observation Strategy

Marysville 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 Marysville

For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in Marysville. 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 Marysville Observers

Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near Marysville, 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 3 at Hidden Peak Ridge (52.6 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.

Regional Perspective: Observers in Marysville often prefer their local clearings over Snohomish for spontaneous stargazing, thanks to a shorter commute into the dark zones.
Community Vetted
Methodology Verified

Best Spots for Stargazing in Marysville

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 Marysville environment.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Paramount School Park

24 mi
Distance

" Marysville observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "

Shoreline, WA 98155
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Big Rock Park

24.7 mi
Distance

" A manageable drive from Marysville, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. 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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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Snoqualmie Point Park

41.1 mi
Distance

" Heading out from Marysville toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. 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

41.1 mi
Distance

" Marysville observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Comfort Tip: The ground cools faster than the air. Bring a reclining chair to keep your neck strain-free during marathon observation sessions. "

Snoqualmie, WA 98045
Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Covington Community Park

49.5 mi
Distance

" While it's a bit of a journey from Marysville, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "

Covington, WA 98042
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Celestial Alert
Real-Time Tracking

2026 Celestial Roadmap for Marysville

Rural conditions near Marysville provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.

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Instrumented Data

Sky Quality Reports for Marysville

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.

Hidden Peak Ridge

North Cascades NP

52.6 mi
Distance
21.49 SQM
Bortle Class 3

Local Relevance

The scientific findings at Hidden Peak Ridge provide Marysville residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.

"The higher summit is to the north (7080’), the south summit contains the old fire lookout building. The north summit is the best monitoring site, but difficult to access from the south because of large blocky boulders. Ascended a snowfield to a low point in the ridge at 6850’, at the base of the slope leading to the northern summit. Very good monitoring site with plenty of room to set up and safe location for people. Night of Perseid meteor shower, many bright meteors seen. Bortle Class 3. Seeing very good, transparency fair. Smoke from distant fires throughout, brown color seen to east. Visiblility in daytime no more than 40 miles. Light dome seen from Vancouver as a broad glow stretching from 340 azimuth across the northwestern horizon, centered on Mt. Baker, to about 300, up to 15 degrees altitude, significantly brighter than the brightest part of the Milky Way. Another light “bump” at 270-280, much smaller than Vancouver, then an even brighter light dome beginning at 220, 35-40 degrees wide, 15-20 degrees tall, bright enough to affect night vision. No other light domes. Bright airglow, extending to 30-35 degrees altitude. Around the Zenith, the Milky Way exhibits all details from Scutum to Cassiopeia, excellent sky within 40 degrees of Zenith. Zodiacal Light not seen, partly because of its position low in the east and south. Darkest area of the sky around the head of Draco, considerably darker than the other side of the Milky Way where more airglow is present. SQM 21.42 end of 4th set."

Observation Date
8/11/2012
Elevation
2097m
Zenith Brightness
21.48

Redoubt - American Camp

San Juan Island NHP

47.5 mi
Distance
21.12 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

Marysville enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Redoubt - American Camp to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.

"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
Certified Destinations

Dark Sky Oasis near Marysville

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 Marysville residents.

International Dark Sky Park Certified

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Marysville observing community.

99989 Highway 206

Scale
65 Sq. Km
Coordinates
45.4699, -120.4426
International Dark Sky Community Certified

Antelope, Oregon

Marysville stargazers often look to Antelope, Oregon as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.

94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001

Scale
1.19 Sq. Km
Coordinates
44.9105, -120.7227
Community Hubs

Astronomy Clubs for Marysville

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.

NASA Club ID
#172
8.9 mi
Distance

Everett Astronomical Society

Everett, WA

NASA Club ID
#109
26.7 mi
Distance

Island County Astronomical Society

Oak Harbor, WA

The Deep Sky Hunter's Staging Advice

Gearing Up for Marysville Nights

"Because you're heading just outside the Marysville 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 Marysville Field Kit

When observing near Marysville, the local atmospheric stability and the commute time to isolated zones are your primary logistical factors. The difference between the Marysville city center and the instrumented readings at sites 24 miles away is staggering, requiring optics that can handle both glare and deep contrast. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.

Level 1: EssentialsLevel 2: OpticsLevel 3: Power