Susanville
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Susanville area serves as a strategic corridor for CA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Sierra Valley Preserve with professional NPS sky reports at Lassen Volcanic National Park for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Susanville
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Sierra Valley Preserve. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~45.2 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class A (Pristine). Use the instrumented 2 rating from Lassen Volcanic National Park as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Astronomical Society of Nevada for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 4 recognized sites near Susanville offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
As a regional observation basecamp, Susanville offers the essential amenities needed before heading into the isolated darkness of Lassen Volcanic National Park. It marks the transition where the suburban light dome finally gives way to the true wilderness sky.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Susanville
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Susanville, wait for the 4-day window surrounding the New Moon each month for the deepest contrast. Since the sun sets early in the late Winter months, you can often begin deep-sky imaging as early as 7 PM.
Expert Tips for Susanville Observers
When observing from Sierra Valley Preserve, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Susanville residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of CA to capture the lowest magnitude stars that are normally invisible from the city center. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 2 at Lassen Volcanic National Park (45.3 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Susanville
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 Susanville's local horizons.
Sierra Valley Preserve
" While it's a bit of a journey from Susanville, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. 'Bring red flashlights and be mindful of bright white lights which are not good for viewing the night sky.' "
Plumas Eureka State Park
" For the dedicated Susanville observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. Observation Hack: Use a planisphere or a printed star chart under a red light instead of a digital app for the most authentic experience. "
Galena Creek Visitors Center
" While it's a bit of a journey from Susanville, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. ASN will bring the telescopes.', 'There will be Solar scopes available for public viewing.' "
Fleischmann Planetarium
" While it's a bit of a journey from Susanville, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. 'There is parking available by the Planetarium but you will need to come in and get a parking pass from Planetarium personnel.' "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Susanville
With a Bortle 2, Susanville offers world-class visibility. Wait for astronomical twilight for peak contrast.
Sky Quality Reports for Susanville
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, Susanville observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Susanville, Devastation Parking Lot serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Intermittent clouds"
Lassen Peak
Lassen Volcanic NP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Lassen Peak provide Susanville residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Site on south summit away from rock outcrop, not good for public or telescope, exposed, cold, windy. Smoke from forest fires in northern California visible at twilight in fine streaks, high in atmosphere. Seeing fair, breezy, transparency very good. Sky very bright from airglow, many cities visible from summit, nearby small towns below horizon so will not show up on data. Illumination to south greatest, combination of many cities. Zenith quite dark, much detail in Milky Way. Still a pretty dark site."
Dark Sky Oasis near Susanville
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.
Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area
As one of the closest certified environments to Susanville, Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
Washoe County Nevada, USA
Oregon Outback
Susanville stargazers often look to Oregon Outback as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 126 North E Street, Lakeview, OR 97630
Astronomy Clubs for Susanville
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 Susanville Nights
"The transition from the Susanville skyglow to these mid-range sites is significant. A simple red-light headlamp is your most important accessory here to navigate safely without ruining your hard-won night vision."
The Susanville Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Susanville requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. Since Sierra Valley Preserve offers a specific Class 2 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.