Explore Top Stargazing Destinations in Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff is renowned for its incredible stargazing opportunities. As the World's First International Dark Sky City, it's an unmissable destination for astronomy enthusiasts. From Buffalo Park to the Grand Canyon National Park, the city offers some of the best things to do in Flagstaff. Explore our curated list of stargazing locations and make your visit unforgettable. Don't miss out on this unique experience, one of the top things to do in Flagstaff.
Buffalo Park:
Flagstaff, AZ
At 2.3 miles from downtown Flagstaff, Buffalo Park offers fantastic, panoramic views of the sky, and is home to the free annual Flagstaff Star Party. Buffalo Park is known as the best place to stargaze within Flagstaff city limits due to its open views, which allow for largely treeless viewing locations depending on how far you want to walk the 2.2 mile gravel loop trail.
Foxglenn Park
At about 3.5 miles from downtown Flagstaff, Foxglenn Park is another great option for convenient stargazing. Similar to Buffalo Park, Foxglenn has a large field with open views of the sky. Foxglenn Park has a lit parking lot, however, so it is a brighter viewing site, and is quite a bit smaller than Buffalo Park. The advantage is being a shorter walk and the option to remain on pavement as there is a paved walking path that encompasses the entire park.
Bonito Park
(Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument)
18 miles north of downtown Flagstaff, on 89a, the Bonito Park, found just before the entrance of the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, you can find the closest true dark skies to Flagstaff. Designated a National Dark Sky Preserve, the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument has incredible views of the night sky. However, we would suggest spending time at the Bonito Park pullout and find a good spot to lay down a picnic blankets for amazing views within a wide open field that is easily accessible. Othewise, keep on driving until you reach the Sunset Crater overlook-beware it can be busy here and more than a few unaware headlights shined towards your viewing site within a small parking lot surrounded by trees.
Holy Dove Chapel/
Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail
About 20 miles from downtown Flagstaff, the Holy Dove Chapel marks a notable piece of architecture in Flagstaff's modern history, and one of the most iconic locations to conduct astrophotography. In fact, this is where we began to learn nightscape photography in 2017 and where our first ever astrophotography workshops were inspired! You can learn how to take pictures like the one on the right in a night with Flagstaff Stargazing Adventures. Keep an eye out for our Astrophotography Workshops or contact us for more information!
Lomaki Pueblo parking lot at Wupatki National Monument
Located 26 miles from downtown Flagstaff, the Lomaki Peublo Trailhead parking lot offers some of the best stargazing around. It is far enough away from any lights to make for an absolutely stunning stargazing site, and where we take our larger private groups for our Private Starparty Service, which you can learn about here.
Please note that access to trails is restricted to daytime use only, so stick to the parking lots anywhere at Wupatki National Monument for stargazing.
Grand Canyon National Park
Our furthest, but perhaps most epic recomendation is the famous Grand Canyon National Park, located about 74 miles from Flagstaff, and one of our most recently designated Dark Sky Parks (2019). GCNP has incredibly unique stargazing and astrophotography opportunities due to its impressive geological features. There is also the Grand Canyon Star Party, which happens every Summer and is a free event included in your pass to the park.