Wyoming by day is a playground without a fence — biking, hiking, fishing, four-wheeling, or simply clicking through a carpet of wildflowers. But it doesn’t end when the sun slips behind the horizon. Come nighttime, Wyoming puts on a show unlike any you’ve seen before.
Out here, when the pronghorns pass by and your campfire is the only light for miles, the cosmos is alive. There’s just you, your device, and a sky so dark and clear that you begin to understand why it’s called the Milky Way.
Wyoming has some of the darkest skies in the Lower 48 – a dark velvet backdrop to the diamond feast. Whether you’re a serious astronomer or someone who wants to see what the night sky looked like in the days before Edison, here are some of the best dark-sky RV camping spots in the state. Just go off the road and head up. The universe is waiting.
Sinks Canyon State Park, located in the Wind River Range near Lander, is home to the mysterious disappearing river, the Popo Agie. (The river disappears in a cave system called The Sinks, then reappears downstream at The Rise.) Wyoming’s first park called the International Dark Sky Park, its high limestone walls serve as a natural theater to view some of nature’s ancient mysteries.
The park hosts ranger-led astronomy programs and offers RV campgrounds at the Sawmill and Popo Agie campgrounds. Summer visitors can time their trip to coincide with the Perseid meteor shower, which gives viewers thousands of opportunities to wish upon the shooting stars.
Rising 867 feet with a summit the length of a football field, Devils Tower is already impressive during the day. But at night, this geological wonder held sacred by the Northern Plains Tribes becomes a monolith where the stars and planets dance. America’s first monument is also the International Dark Sky Park, and offers some of the most spectacular astronomical views in the nation.
Belle Fourche River Campground sits right at the base of the monument, with full hookups for RVs up to 35 feet. The monument hosts regular evening star programs where rangers set up telescopes and help you navigate the night sky. Bring a red flashlight to preserve your night vision.
Just 24 miles west of Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park is one of the most accessible places for stargazing – and one of the richest places for RVers. Named after a famous sportscaster who loved fly fishing here, the park straddles the Laramie Mountains and offers a unique dark sky close to civilization.
RVs have three storage areas and 12 campsites to choose from, with pitches up to 50 feet. The Granite Springs and Lakeview campgrounds both offer electric hookups and access to open spaces perfect for watching the stars rise above.
If you’re looking for a true escape, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest is Wyoming at its purest – big, clean, and wild. The high altitude here, between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, provides a sky free of atmospheric moisture and light scattering, making the stars sparkle.
The Snowy Range Scenic Byway provides access to several scattered campgrounds where RVs are welcome. There are no advanced campsites – you’re on your own to find the facilities – but if you have a self-contained rig, you’re in the running. For advanced options, try Pelton Creek, North Fork, or Silver Lake campgrounds – all can accommodate large RVs.
These “singing” sand dunes, which bloom and move rhythmically, are a unique place for stargazing, offering the open sky of the Red Desert in every direction. The nearest town is Rock Springs, 32 miles away, which means light pollution is not a factor here.
The Open Play Area Campground is free and RV accessible. For a day trip, explore the nearby White Mountain Petroglyphs and Boar’s Tusk geological formation.
The second largest natural lake in Wyoming sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet below the Wind River Range near Pinedale. The campsites are private, lakeside, and RV accessible, far from the traditional campground. The lake itself is a mirror to the stars above, and the sky is so dark that Pinedale markets itself as a stargazing destination. For a completely unobstructed view, head down to the Fremont Lake Lower Boat Dock for a sunset happy hour followed by a star-studded show.
Making the Most of Your Dark Sky Tour
A few tips to maximize your night under the stars:
It’s the right time. 2 weeks into the new moon gives the darkest skies. Even a quarter moon greatly reduces the visible stars.
Download sky viewing apps. Apps like SkySafari or Stellarium help identify what you see. Switch to night mode (red screen) to preserve your night vision.
Dress in layers. Nights in Wyoming can drop 30-40 degrees after sunset, even in the summer.
Give your eyes time. A full dark practice takes 20-30 minutes. Use red flashlights at this time.
People always talk about the wide open spaces of Wyoming, but the range in all of them is straightforward. So block some time in your calendar, pack your bags, and get ready for the oldest show on Earth.
This article is sponsored by the Wyoming Office of Tourism.