Discovering the Dark: The Rise of Astrotourism

In an increasingly urbanized world, the allure of the night sky, once a ubiquitous spectacle, is fading for many. Light pollution, a byproduct of modern life, obscures the celestial canvas, hindering our ability to connect with the vastness of the universe. But a growing trend is emerging: astrotourism, the act of traveling to experience the beauty of the night sky and other celestial phenomena.

Eliana Gorov, a 22-year-old from Las Vegas, didn’t have to venture far to witness the Milky Way with her own eyes. However, it was during an astronomy program at Great Basin National Park that she truly experienced the magic of the cosmos. Through a telescope, she saw her first shooting star. The Milky Way, she recalls, appeared as "a million of stars, it was beautiful, it was incredible." Her summer 2023 trip to the national park, a certified International Dark Sky Park boasting some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states, left a lasting impression.

At the park’s Astronomy Amphitheater, visitors were asked to switch off their phones and smartwatches to minimize light pollution. Gorov gazed upwards and saw a sea of stars. "I don’t think there’s anything like looking up at the cosmos as far as [it] can go," she shared.

Gorov’s experience highlights the essence of astrotourism: placing celestial objects at the heart of the travel experience. More and more travelers are seeking the awe-inspiring feeling that comes from witnessing the night sky in its pristine state. According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel Predictions, 60% of travelers are considering visiting low-light pollution destinations.

National parks offer more than just scenic landscapes; they provide opportunities for celestial exploration. A 2023 survey of 634 visitors across nine International Dark Sky Parks revealed that 61.8% of Utah’s state and national park visitors participated in a night sky recreation activity. The economic impact of celestial events is also significant. During the solar eclipse of April 2023, the influx of people to areas along the path of totality generated an estimated $6 billion for the U.S. economy.

Looking up at the night sky offers a unique perspective. In the grand scheme of the cosmos, we realize our individual significance. Modern light pollution is more than just an aesthetic issue; it has profound consequences. Excessive energy consumption and the disruption of natural circadian rhythms and wildlife migration patterns are just some of the problems. In Florida, light pollution has been found to disorient sea turtle hatchlings, preventing them from finding their way to the ocean.

Dark sky destinations are dedicated to reducing light pollution and restoring the natural nighttime environment. This low-impact form of travel aims to connect people with nature and underscore the importance of protecting it. Furthermore, astrotourism can be an affordable travel option, with many prime locations being national parks or remote camping areas.

What exactly is astrotourism? It encompasses any trip where the enjoyment of the sky and its celestial objects is the primary focus. This can range from adventurous pursuits like chasing eclipses or the Northern Lights to simply stargazing under a clear sky. While it may seem straightforward, 99% of the U.S. population lives under light-polluted skies, according to a 2016 study published in Science Advances. The Milky Way is now hidden from 80% of North America.

Kitt Peak National Observatory, located an hour from downtown Tucson, Arizona, offers a prime astrotourism experience. Perched atop Manzanita Bush Mountain at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the observatory houses one of the largest collections of major optical research telescopes in the world, with half of those accessible to the public.

Nighttime tours and overnight stays allow visitors to observe nebulas where new stars are born, distant galaxies, and the cratered surface of Mars. The observatory also offers daytime tours of the massive research telescopes, providing insights into the mapping of new galaxies and the study of dark matter.

Peter McMahon, Kitt Peak’s operation manager, hopes that these trips will "inspire people to leave with a greater appreciation for how much can be done and has been done about the universe around us by the researchers who do this work and their own personal discovery."

Numerous dark sky-viewing opportunities exist across the national parks system, research observatories, and star parties – public gatherings for astronomy enthusiasts to socialize and observe celestial objects.

The nonprofit International Dark-Sky Association is a valuable resource for planning an astrotourism trip. They have certified 241 Dark Sky Places across 22 countries, all of which offer stunning dark skies, public access and resources, and responsible lighting practices.

National parks, with their minimal infrastructure and rural surroundings, are ideal for viewing the night sky. Many offer astronomy programs that are open and free to the public (included in park admission), such as the Dark Sky Festival at Death Valley National Park and lectures by astronomers in residence at Grand Canyon National Park. Visitors can also stargaze independently during a nighttime visit, using star chart apps like Stellarium.

Drew Reagan, communications manager at the DarkSky Association, explains that "a lot of the western states naturally fit the ticket to become a Dark Sky park, surrounded by larger public lands." He adds that "the Southwest tends to get a lot of attention because we have really clear skies – nice weather patterns and higher elevation for clearer stargazing."

Tucson recently launched its Astro Trail, a curated map of dark sky spots, while Colorado is on track to have 12 state parks certified as Dark Sky locations this year.

Reagan emphasizes the transformative power of witnessing a truly dark sky. "When you look up and see three stars, you don’t get that awe," he says. "When you go out in a Dark Sky Place and see a thousand stars, you start to understand your place in the universe in an incredible way. That view used to be seen every single place on earth by everybody regardless of where they’re at."

Gorov’s trip to the Great Basin sparked her passion for chasing the beauty of the night sky. "Traveling for the night sky can give us opportunities to see incredible, once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomena that we couldn’t view in our own backyard, like the Northern Lights," she says. She’s currently planning a trip to Iceland this summer, with stargazing as a central part of her itinerary.

Astrotourism offers a chance to reconnect with the natural world, appreciate the beauty of the universe, and understand the importance of preserving dark skies for future generations. As light pollution continues to encroach, the pursuit of dark sky destinations becomes increasingly vital, allowing us to rediscover the awe and wonder that the night sky inspires.