If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wished for fewer streetlights and more Milky Way, the Laurel Highlands might just be your dream come true. Check out these spots where the stars shine brighter, the air feels cleaner, and the night sky rolls out like a cosmic blanket just for you.
Public lands
Sure, most state parks and forests technically close at sunset – but here’s a little secret: many of them allow stargazing after dark if you plan ahead. Just give them a ring, and you’re in for a night of celestial wonder.
- Laurel Hill State Park (Snowmobile Lot) – Call 814-445-7725
A quiet, open space perfect for spreading out a blanket and letting the universe put on a show. - Scenic View at Laurel Hill
Occasionally, park staff host public stargazing nights here with professional telescopes – so you’re not just seeing stars, you’re seeing deep space in HD. Bonus: It's only open after dark during these events, so don’t miss out. - Ohiopyle State Park – Tharp Picnic Area & Old Mitchell Place – 724-329-8591
Ohiopyle doesn’t just do waterfalls and whitewater – it also dabbles in meteor magic. Look out for seasonal programming during meteor showers. - Forbes State Forest – 724-238-1200
Remote, peaceful, and about as light-pollution-free as it gets. Just the way stargazing should be.
Want to sleep under the stars? We’ve got you.
Tucked away near Cairnbrook in Somerset County, the Allegheny Front Experience cabin rental offers 50 acres of privacy and pitch-black skies. It’s famous for birdwatching – it’s right by the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch, a prime spot for seeing golden and bald eagles in flight – but once the sun sets, the stars steal the show.
More of an architecture lover? No problem.
Book a stay at Polymath Park, where you can sleep in the Blum House, designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice. (Yes, that Frank Lloyd Wright.) After dinner at the one-of-a-kind TreeTops Restaurant, head out behind the house to the circular meadow. The natural bowl shape cradles you in quiet, dark serenity – basically the universe's VIP lounge. Wright would definitely approve.
So, whether you're chasing constellations, hoping for a meteor sighting, or just want to make a wish on a falling star, the Laurel Highlands is ready to light up your night.
