Hudson Valley days are rich with visual wonders: the mountains and rivers that shape the landscape, and the farms, vineyards, and orchards tended to by local growers. When night falls, the luscious forests and powerful waters are overshadowed by all the heavens we can see.
Pioneering 19th-century astronomers like Maria Mitchell of Vassar College were well aware of the celestial bounties present here. Her legacy is carried on through the work and public events held at Vassar’s Observatory. During the school year, the campus community and outside visitors are free to look through their telescopes on Wednesday nights from 9 to 11 p.m.
Even in our electrified world, you can still manage to find great stargazing spots with little light pollution. On the Bortle scale — the system used to measure the brightness of the night sky in a given area — lots of the locations in our region rank as Class 3 or 4, typical rural/suburban skies. But a few select areas can get as dark as Class 2.
“If you look at the rest of the East Coast, the skies are typically not nearly as dark as they are here. And we are just really fortunate to be able to observe from here,” Michael Goldstein, outreach coordinator for the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association, says. The regional enthusiasts group has been spreading the joy of amateur astronomy through in-person events since the 1970s.
If you’re looking for some night sky viewing indoors, you can visit the Smolen Observatory at SUNY New Paltz for one of its Astronomy Nights held during the summer, every other Thursday night, weather permitting. But if you do decide to venture outside at night, plan accordingly. Dress in layers, put on bug spray, and bring some refreshments, blankets, or other outdoor accessories.
“Lie down on your back, if you can,” Raj Pandya, director of the Kirk Planetarium at SUNY New Paltz, says. “You don’t want to just go outside and start looking up at the sky. That’s gonna hurt your neck, and you’re not gonna enjoy it. You won’t see much because you probably want to take an hour to really look at the sky. Your eyes take about maybe 15 minutes to adjust to the actual darkness of the sky.”
With that advice in mind, we decided to showcase some great spots for stargazing in both the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
Ashokan Reservoir Promenade (Ulster County)
Besides being a great 2.8-mile trail for a daytime stroll, biking, skating, and running, the Promenade is also a perfect spot for some late night stargazing. The best spot for 360-degree viewing can be found roughly 500 yards west along the paved path.
If you bring a telescope, the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association recommends setting it up on the edge of the pavement and to use some luminescent tape as a visual marker for others.
Lake Taghkanic State Park (Columbia County)
The Beach Parking Lot at the park has the perfect nighttime conditions for glancing at the night sky. The sandy shores of the lake give way to a sea of stars once nightfalls. If you decide to go out there, you will need a stargazing permit (made available through a MHAA membership).
Mongaup Pond Campground (Sullivan County)
This scenic Catskills campground in Livingston Manor has some great viewing spots like the fishing pier or pond beach. If you want to stay after dark, you’ll have to have a valid camping pass and make a site reservation during the season.
Colgate Lake Wild Forest (Greene County)
If you’re thinking of viewing the constellations from here, the MHAA recommends stopping by the accessible parking lot and taking the paths over to a small fishing pier or footbridge. Outside of that, you’re looking at relatively rough terrain.
Field of Dreams Park (Ulster County)
This well-kept park managed by the Town of New Paltz isn’t just a great venue for recreational sports like Little League; it’s also a great, wide open lot that gives you a relatively clear view of the sky free from excessive lights and nearby buildings.
Pepacton Cemetery (Delaware County)
This publicly accessible piece of land overlooks the Pepacton Reservoir and features a clear near-dark view of the night sky.
