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 nightscape photographers, including those featured by publications like Capture the Atlas.
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 stunning rock formations that are popular subjects for nightscapes, captured by photographers like Brandt Ryder.
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 captured 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 captured 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 captured an image of the annual lupine bloom in the Mackenzie Basin with the Milky Way.