North Lynnwood
Stargazing Guide.
Just 7.4 miles from the center of North Lynnwood, lies some of the region's best viewing at Paramount School Park. We feature instrumented readings from Obstruction Point to guarantee the most accurate sky quality data.
Stargazing Logistics for North Lynnwood
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~7.4 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Obstruction Point 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 North Lynnwood offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
North Lynnwood acts as a primary gateway to the Paramount School Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Obstruction Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in North Lynnwood
Observation in North Lynnwood is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Pacific 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 North Lynnwood Observers
If you're visiting Paramount School Park, bring a pack of chemical hand-warmers and rubber-band them to your eyepiece or camera lens. This acts as a 'budget' dew heater, which is essential for the humid nights often found in WA during the peak viewing seasons. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (51.4 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in North Lynnwood
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 North Lynnwood's local horizons.
Paramount School Park
" Just a quick dash for North Lynnwood residents, this location offers great convenience. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" North Lynnwood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. 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
" North Lynnwood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" A manageable drive from North Lynnwood, 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. "
Covington Community Park
" North Lynnwood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for North Lynnwood
Rural conditions near North Lynnwood provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for North Lynnwood
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, North Lynnwood observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Obstruction Point provide North Lynnwood residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"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."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
For observers in North Lynnwood, Redoubt - American Camp serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"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."
Dark Sky Oasis near North Lynnwood
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
North Lynnwood stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
As one of the closest certified environments to North Lynnwood, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for North Lynnwood
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 North Lynnwood residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for North Lynnwood Nights
"The proximity of verified spots to North Lynnwood means thermal equilibrium is your biggest gear factor. Set your gear outside in North Lynnwood early so it's ready the moment you arrive at the eyepiece."
The North Lynnwood Field Kit
When observing near North Lynnwood, the local atmospheric stability and the immediate access to verified hubs are your primary logistical factors. Since Paramount School Park offers a specific Class 4 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.