Port Townsend.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Port Townsend, WA. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Port Townsend
- Top Community Pick: Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area (~29.7 miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 4.0 at Redoubt - American Camp
- Local Experts: Island County Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots
Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near Port Townsend, WA? While enthusiasts often gather at Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Redoubt - American Camp provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 4.0. The local landscape of Port Townsend offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Port Townsend
For the best results in Port Townsend, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.
Expert Tips for Port Townsend Observers
Before heading out to Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. Binoculars are a favorite for regulars here for sweeping views of the Moon’s craters and larger constellations. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Washington Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Paramount School Park
" 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" 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. "
Taylor Dock
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Deception Pass State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
"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."
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
"Transparency remarkably good after yesterday's fire smoke, seeing very good. Few high clouds to the west and north, remnants of fire smoke to the northeast. Direct glare from many very bright lights on Vancouver Island and a few Port Angeles lights, otherwise the high ridges of the Olympic Mountains effectively block any other glare from the Puget Sound area. After moon sets, the zenith is quite dark with the Cygnus Milky Way very detailed, but a broad and fairly bright light dome toward Seattle and Puget Sound dominates the eastern sky. Excellent site for monitoring. 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."
International Dark Sky Parks
Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a scenic and tranquil state park in North Central Oregon. Spanning over 16,000 acres of public land, Oregon’s second-largest…
Antelope, Oregon
Located in the upper Antelope Valley of north-central Oregon, the city of Antelope lies along an ancient route connecting the John Day watershed to the Great…
Local Astronomy Clubs
Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.