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The 5 Best Places in North America to See the Milky Way Galaxy

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The Milky Way, the galaxy that we humans call our home is such a vast, beautiful mystery. The allure of
this gorgeous enigma is intrinsically enticing. Regardless where you are in the world, the Milky Way
galaxy is a glorious sight to behold.

Yet, with all the light pollution and other earthly factors, there are only select places on earth where the
Milky Way can be viewed. Fortunately, during the summer months, North America has plenty of
different places throughout the western part of the continent to get a good look at the Milky Way.
Here are the Best Places in North America to See Our Galaxy, the Milky Way:

  1. Joshua Tree National Park, California
    This national park (and a certified International Dark Sky Park) is nestled between the Mojave Desert
    and lower Colorado Desert. This location makes it the perfect place for to see the Milky Way, for anyone
    who lives in or around Los Angeles, California.
  2. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
    Yellowstone National Park is iconic for so many reasons; Old Faithful and the majestic Grand Prismatic
    Spring are only a couple of the reasons people visit Yellowstone from all over the world. Yet, this
    national park also has a little-known secret; Yellowstone is also home to some of the most magnificent
    views of the Milky Way.
  3. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
    The Great Basin National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, with key stargazing locations
    scattered throughout the area. A few of the most prolific areas at which you can view the Milky Way are
    the Baker Archaeological Site, the Ranch Interpretive Site, and Mather Overlook on the Wheeler Peak
    Scenic Drive.
  4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
    The Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) was just initiated into the company of the Dark Sky Parks, in June
  5. This was after officials at the park spent three years and over $1 million converting the park’s light
    fixtures into low-wattage, LED bulbs. The specifications for this status are extremely specific but it is all
    worth it when the Grand Canyon’s five million annual visitors look up at the sky and see the stars in all
    their unpolluted glory. While the South Rim is currently the dark sky-friendly portion of the park, visitors
    can travel to the remote Desert View or Lipan Point for some exclusive viewing.
  6. There they are; five of the best places in North America to see the Milky Way Galaxy. Remember, these
    places only show the galaxy in the summer months, though. So, before you make a trip out to one of
    these places for this purpose, check to see when the Milky Way is at its brightest overhead.