The Best Milky Way Photography Locations

Pamela Goodyer, a renowned photographer, has curated the best locations for Milky Way photography that she has personally explored, providing detailed information on all these top spots.

UPDATE: We just spent the weekend in the Adirondack Mountains and scouted little-known Milky Way Photography Locations. We are creating the articles today!  The first row is blank; it will be filled in later today.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

  • Where are the top spots I can photograph the Milky Way?
  • Where do the pros photograph the Milky Way?
  • Tips on how to see the Milky Way?

 TOP MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS WE HAVE EXPLORED

Each article has a link to a page with Complete details. As of right now, these shots were BEFORE we astromodified our camera.

Milky Way over Lake Pleasant in the Adirondacks. With a boat dock in the background.

SPECTATOR, NEW YORK

boat ramp near Sarnac Lake in Adirondacks showing the Milky Way

SARANAC LAKE, NEW YORK

spencer camera logo

HOW TO ASTROMOFIDYING YOUR CAMERA

Article is not AI generated. We traveled here showing Pamela Goodyer and her camera.
Chincoteague Island Milky Way Photography

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND

Ocean City New Jersey Photography

OCEAN CITY, N.J., MILKY WAY

g East Point Lighthouse, New Jersey Milky Way

EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE

Barnegat Light Photography Hot Spot Milky Way

BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J.

Avalon and Sea Isle City Milky Way with aliens and a boat.

AVALON BEACH, N.J. 

Judges Shack, then. alien reaching for the Milky Way.

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK

47 Avalon Pier next to Sea Isle City.

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J.

Astronomy observation field sign with the bubbles that you do photography in.

CHERRY SPRINGS STATE PARK

two pavilions silhouetted with the big beautiful Milky Way behind it in the sky.

RED POINT ROAD, GRAND MANAN

ARTICLE COMING UP NEXT!

.With the Milky Way behind it, with the red light blaring in front of.

LONG EDDY POINT LH, GRAND MANAN

Lighthouse, With the Milky Way skies behind it by Pamela Goodyer.

SOUTHWEST HEAD LH, GRAN MANAN

Heart Heart GIFTS

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THE BEST MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN THE USA

Where are the darkest skies for Milky Way photography? Here are some of the best places that we have traveled to in the USA to photograph the Milky Way. There are dark skies all over the country. We even have dark skies in New Jersey, where we’re located. People often ask where to do Milky Way photography in New Jersey. We have a few dark sky locations here.

Castle Ghost Hunt. Photography Magazine Extra hunts apparitions whilst finding orbs and entities around the haunted castle.

CATSKILLS N.Y. MILKY WAY

Milky way in Roscoe, NY.

ROSCOE. NEW YORK

rocky mountain milky way

ROCKY MOUNTAIN N.P.

Lees ferry arizona milky at balance rock

LEE’S FERRY, ARIZONA

Orchard Beach Maine

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, MAINE

keep acadia national park milky way at thunder hole

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Arcadia National Park Milky Way photograph. Next to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse.

BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE

Yosemite National Park.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Holgate NJ Milky Way Photography.

HOLGATE, N.J.

alien with torch at tuckerton New Jersey in front of the water with a torch in the sky.

TUCKERTON N.J.

Rocky mountain milky way above trees

ROCKY MOUNTAIN N.P.

Milky Way Photography Locations

MAINE COAST 

An article about photographing lighthouses along the coast.

Milky Way Photography Locations

ROSCOE NY 

(We went back, and the car was gone!)

Milky Way Photography Locations

PAMELA GOODYER AT PEMAQUID POINT, MAINE

Milky Way Photography Locations

 SEDONA, ARIZONA

.With the Milky Way behind it, with the red light blaring in front of.

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS IN CANADA

Grand Manan Island: An Undiscovered Wonder of Canada Photography Locations

While most astrophotographers crowd the same tired spots across North America, Grand Manan Island remains photography’s best-kept secret. AND WE ARE ABOUT TO PUT IT ON THE MAP. We are working on the article.

This remote outpost delivers pristine dark skies with minimal light pollution, creating ideal conditions for photographing the Milky Way’s galactic core during peak season. The island’s rugged coastline serves as a dramatic foreground element, with rocky cliffs and sea stacks silhouetted against the cosmic panorama above. Unlike overrun locations that require battling fellow photographers for prime spots, Grand Manan offers solitary viewpoints where you can work undisturbed. There are three lighthouses on the island for Milky Way photography.

Stop back shortly to find the link to all the details on Grand Manan Milky Way Photography.

MILKY WAY SPOTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TOP PHOTOGRAPHERS

CALIFORNIA

Death Valley National Park: This “Gold Tier” Dark Sky location is a favorite of photographers like Sebastian Knoll for its dark skies and unique foregrounds like the sand flats.

Joshua Tree National Park: Known for its otherworldly desert landscape and unique trees, this park is a popular spot for night photography.

Big Sur: A rugged stretch of California’s Central Coast with dramatic scenery and minimal light pollution. Photographer Marcin Zajac is known for shooting the Milky Way over a coastal waterfall here.

UTAH

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: A remote area offering pristine night sky views. The Milky Way has been photographed here by Spencer Welling.

Zion National Park: Features rock formations that are popular subjects for nightscapes. Natural Bridges National Monument: Recognized as the first International Dark-Sky Park, this location offers dramatic rock arches to frame the Milky Way.

ARIZONA

Grand Canyon National Park: The “Gold Tier” dark skies above this natural wonder are favored by photographers like Parsa Mahmoudi.
Sedona: Famous for its red rock formations, Sedona also offers excellent stargazing and photography opportunities.

OTHER NOTABLE US LOCATIONS

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania: A designated International Dark Sky Park and one of the darkest locations in the eastern US. Pamela Goodyer has been here many times due to its close location.

Big Bend National Park, Texas: With some of the darkest skies in the contiguous US, this park is a paradise for stargazers and photographers.

Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, Idaho: The first International Dark Sky Reserve in the US, located in a rugged mountain wildland.

Mauna Kea, Hawaii: The high elevation and dry atmosphere of this volcano make it an excellent spot for celestial photography.

Bisti Badlands, New Mexico: Offers unique geological formations and very dark skies, favored by photographers such as Christine Kenyon.

EUROPE

Canary Islands, Spain: Strict light pollution laws protect the skies here. Lorenzo Ranieri Tenti has taken photos of the Teide Volcano in Tenerife, while Antonio Solano created a shot from the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in

La Palma. Picos de Europa, Spain: This mountain range is a favorite among photographers like Pablo Ruiz García.

Dolomites, Italy: Offers great Milky Way photography opportunities, particularly during the winter, a favorite of Giulio Cobianchi.

OTHER NOTABLE WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS

Mount Taranaki, New Zealand: This location offers dramatic landscapes for nightscapes. Larryn Rae photographed a notable shot of the peak with the Milky Way.

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia: A very remote desert location with minimal light pollution. Stefan Liebermann photographed the iconic “Deadvlei” here.

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand: A popular spot within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Max Inwood created an image of the annual lupine bloom in the Mackenzie Basin with the Milky Way.

Dundas Castle Milky way

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS NEAR ME

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and been awestruck by the sight of the Milky Way? If so, you’re not alone – this magnificent spiral galaxy has inspired artists and photographers for centuries.

The starting point of Milky Way photography is finding the right location in dark sky areas and going during the months when the Milky Way is visible. Before starting, read our Dark Sky Information page, review the When to Go, and look at the Dark Sky map. Dark Sky Photography Resources.

We will be adding many more Milky Way locations as we travel.

SEND US YOUR SPOTS!

Do you have incredible Milky Way shots and fantastic locations? Would you like us to share with the world?  Please send us an image and a description, and we will display your photo here with your credits. We never use anyone’s pictures for anything other than displaying them here with full credits.

DUNDAS CASTLE, N.Y.

GHOST HUNTING & MILKY WAY

At my own expense, I offer all of this to you: a humble tribute to Mother Gaia. I hope that you will spread my art and message to others, uplifting and inspiring their souls.

May my works guide photographers illuminating their path toward creating dynamic and impactful images that show the raw beauty and essence of life in all its transcendent glory. —Pamela Goodyer

Pam Goodyer with her tripod g
Camera Camera HOW TO SHOOT MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY PAGE

Shooting the Milky Way requires certain things to know before you go.

MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

TIPS ON HOW TO SEE THE MILKY WAY

  • Darkness: To photograph detailed images of the Milky Way, it is essential to be away from city lights and other light pollution sources. It’s crucial to understand the how, where, and when of seeing the Milky Way. You can’t simply step outside, glance upward, and expect to see it. 
  • Clear weather: Ensure the sky is cloud-free.
  • Moon phase: The darkest skies, which enhance the visibility of the Milky Way core, occur during a new moon or crescent moon phase. The best nights are during the new moon night, and ten days prior, when the moon sets at night and is not visible.
  • Optimal time of year: In the Northern Hemisphere, the ideal period to view the Milky Way core spans from March to October. It rises at different times. In March, it rises in the early morning hours, and by June, it can be seen just after sunset.
  • Scouting locations: During daylight, scout potential locations to identify appealing foreground elements and compositions for your shoot.

LIGHT POLLUTION:

If you want to photograph the Milky Way, there are a few things you need to consider. You will need a location away from city lights. A clear sky with no moon in sight is ideal.

There are several ways to find a suitable location. You can use a light pollution map to find an area away from city lights. You can also look at the night sky for darker areas or check for national parks or wildland areas with dark skies. See more on locations below.

Once you have found a suitable location and selected your night, choose a subject that aligns with the Milky Way. Anything will work, but some subjects are better than others. Landscape photos with mountains, trees, balanced rocks, or unique rock formations work well.

When you have decided on your location and subject, the next step is to check the weather forecast. You want a clear sky with no clouds or rain. The night should also be calm, with little or no wind.

LET YOUR EYES ADJUST

The key to successful Milky Way observation lies in proper preparation and timing. Your eyes require approximately 20 minutes to fully adjust to darkness, a process known as dark adaptation. During this time, avoid looking at bright lights, phone screens, or flashlights without red filters.

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR FOR MILKY WAY

One of the most essential things for this type of photography is a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor. This will give you the best image quality and low-light performance. You will also need a fast lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or wider. A wide-angle lens is also essential for photographing as much of the night sky as possible in one shot. Finally, you will need a tripod to keep your camera steady during long exposures.

Other helpful gear includes a remote shutter release (although today, cameras have a 2-second timer), an intervalometer, and noise reduction software. A remote shutter release or setting your 2-second timer allows you to take long exposures without touching your camera, which can cause camera shake. An intervalometer automatically lets you take a series of exposures, which helps create time-lapse videos or star-trail photographs. Noise reduction software can help reduce the amount of digital noise in your photos, giving you cleaner, sharper images. See more below.

HOW ABOUT SOME GHOST HUNTING TOO?
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