WHERE CAN YOU DO MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY IN NEW YORK STATE?
The Adirondacks have some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. We traveled through the Adirondacks searching for the perfect dark Milky Way photography spot. We arrived here late, so we didn’t have much time to scout out an area.
This was our first night. We went to Pleasant Lake, located in Speculator, New York, where we would be able to see the Milky Way in the southern sky for our photographs. These skies are so dark you can still get a decent shot in the middle of the town. It’s Bortle 3 on the dark sky scale even in the middle of the town.
The Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States and one of the few places in the Northeast where natural darkness still exists on a large scale. Because the region has relatively little development and low levels of artificial light, the night sky remains much closer to what people would have experienced before widespread electrification.
The lack of light pollution makes the Adirondacks an important location for anyone interested in doing Milky Way photography. The Adirondack Park contains some of the darkest skies in the northeastern United States, making it one of the region’s best locations for Milky Way photography. Much of the park falls within Bortle Class 2 to 3, with the most remote areas approaching Class 2 conditions. If you are not familiar, Bortle one is the darkest sky in the world. Check out our Bortle map. The blue areas are Bortle 2 and 3. White, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Gray, Black. In the white section, you cannot see stars. In the black sections, they scream at you!
Bortle 1: Excellent dark sky — the darkest official category.
Bortle 2: Truly dark rural sky.
Bortle 3: Rural sky with only minor light pollution.
Bortle 4: Rural/suburban transition sky; good for Milky Way photography.
Bortle 5: Still suitable for Milky Way photography with good conditions.
We like this map best since you can click on any spot and it gives you all the dark sky information. But for Milky Way photography, dark skies are only part of the equation. While Bortle class measures light pollution, factors such as humidity, atmospheric transparency, elevation, air quality, weather patterns, and distance from local light sources also play a major role. The best images come from nights with dry, clear air and excellent visibility, when the stars are sharp and the faint structures of the Milky Way can be shot with greater detail. But in the Adirondacks bortle 2 and 3, even with some humidity, you can still get great shots.
See the campground on the map above?? It has a clear view of the Milky Way, but the light pollution we have in our shots would be farther away. Getting into town on our first stop after driving for five hours left us little scouting time. Also, when we were at the park, although it was late, a few cars came by, adding light to our pictures. At the campground, you would avoid that. If you go there and get a shot, let us know!
WHEN SHOULD I GO TO THE ADIRONDACKS FOR MILKY WAY PHOTOGRAPHY?
Any time of year is suitable for general photography, but to photograph the Milky Way in the Adirondacks, you must go at a specific time to ensure the Milky Way is visible.
WE ARE GOING BACK IN THE FALL. The fall foliage in this area is spectacular. But be prepared! This is the busy season.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHEN THE MILKY WAY IS VISIBLE?
Read our Milky Way Information Page to see exactly when the Milky Way will be visible.
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL GEAR I NEED?
Well, in a perfect world, you’ll have an Astro-modified camera done by Spencer Camera. But if you’re new to all this, you could put that on your future list. You should have a lens as wide as possible. We shoot with a 16mm. You should also have an open aperture on that lens. Ours is 2.8. The lower the f-stop number, the better, to let more light in to avoid digital noise.
YOU MUST HAVE A TRIPOD— Night photography requires long exposures, so a tripod is essential for keeping your camera still and ensuring sharp images during long exposures.
HOW DO I GET TO PLEASANT LAKE IN SPECULATOR?
Speculator is located in the southern Adirondacks in Hamilton County, New York. The village is accessible by car via NY Route 8 and NY Route 30. Albany International Airport is the nearest major airport, about 90 miles away and roughly a 2-hour drive. It’s a very small town. The lake is in the center of town, so you can’t miss it.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER MILKY WAY SPOTS NEAR HERE?
Yes, we suggest several nights in the Adirondacks’ dark sky locations to cover all the locations. See our full list of Milky Way Photography Spots. We are adding in several since we are in the middle of Milky Way season. And check out our other New York Photography Spots.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
There are some bugs here in the summer. Bring your organic bug spray. If it’s not organic, it’s toxic. (Just a reminder, we will save our lecture.)
SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHY —It’s a good idea to arrive just a few minutes early, before sunset, to have time to find the perfect spot for the Milky Way before the sun goes down. Then you can do sunset photography too.
Speculator, New York: A Small Adirondack Village
Speculator is located on the shores of Lake Pleasant in the southern Adirondacks. Its history is tied to the region’s early settlement, logging, and timber industries, with the surrounding forests and lakes shaping the community’s development. Today, Speculator remains a quiet Adirondack village with a small year-round population and a landscape that reflects the remote character of the region.
Cedarhurst Motor Lodge, 2859 State Route 30, Speculator, NY 12164 – OPEN YEAR-ROUND.
We loved our old-style room. The best part about it was the beautiful high ceilings. The room was immaculate. It was very quiet, and the beds were very comfortable.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioners and free high-speed fiber-optic wireless internet.
Phone: 518-548-6064 – Tell Bob we sent you.
Mountain Market — Located on the main road through town near the Cedarhurst Motel, the market is a convenient stop for basic meals and to-go items. Visitors looking for organic or specialty health-focused foods should plan ahead and bring what they need, as those options are limited in this area.
Moffitt Beach Campground: The campground borders the calm waters of Sacandaga Lake. The campground is heavily forested, dominated by towering white pines mixed with hardwood groves.
Boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and picnicking are other favorite activities here.
Facilities:
The park offers campsites, restrooms, showers, and a picnic area with tables and fireplaces, some of which are accessible for those with mobility impairments. Other amenities include a trailer dump station, a recycling center, a boat launch, and a sand beach.
Booking Window: Sun Jul 19 2026 – Mon Apr 19 2027
Check the weather, of course you need clear skies.
Photography, Lessons, Workshops and Classes.
Adirondack Milky Way, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
