13 Spectacular Places for Stargazing in Florida

Have you been wondering where to go stargazing in Florida? I’ve got you covered!

As a native Floridian and (almost) lifelong resident of the Sunshine State, I know the darkest places for stargazing in Florida. And though nearly a thousand people a day are moving to Florida spurring development of the state’s rural areas, there is a lot of protected land providing great opportunities to see celestial bodies.

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Star gazing in Florida draws couples, amateur astronomers, and the general public to Florida’s rural areas. These areas are where it’s easiest to see the pretty night sky. Romantic stargazing is a fun car date night idea. Of course, the kids also love to look through telescopes to see faraway stars and planets.

As the third most populous state in the United States, there are few places to go for a great stargazing experience. Florida’s most rural places are the best bet; Florida even has two Dark Sky Parks as designated by the International Dark Sky Association. If you live or vacation near one of these places to see stars, grab your binoculars or telescope and go enjoy an evening stargazing in Florida.

🔭 Recommended Equipment: Portable Refracting Telescope

Stargazing maps and apps

If you need help identifying stars visible to the naked eye and constellations, try using a stargazing map or app. These provide basic information for your night sky based on month and location. Some of the most popular stargazing apps are:

• Star Walk 2 Free
• Stellarium
• Star Tracker
• SkySafari
• Google Sky

1. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is Florida’s first Dark Sky Park. Designated by the International Dark Sky Association, a dark sky park is “land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.” There are currently 116 Dark Sky Parks worldwide with 87 in the United States and just two in Florida.

Located in central Florida south of Orlando, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve offers stargazers in Florida an unparalleled opportunity to observe stars and constellations. Even the Milky Way can be seen unaided. The park is not open at night; however, there are a couple of ways to take part in this exceptional stargazing experience – 1. spend the night camping at this park, or 2. reserve an after hours astronomy pad.

2. Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress in south Florida is the other Dark Sky Park in Florida. National Preserves preserve not only animals, plants, and ecosystems, but also dark skies. Natural dark skies with minimal light pollution are essential environmental, natural, cultural, and economic resources. Stargazers in Big Cypress can see the skies by camping in the park or can participate in one of the monthly Astronomy Programs held during cooler winter months

3. Chiefland Astronomy Village

Chiefland is a rural area in north central Florida about an hour southwest of Gainesville (University of Florida). The Astronomy Village hosts various events throughout the year for astronomers. Events such as Astrofest and the Fall Star Party draw astronomers of all levels as well as astronomy groups. The facility includes power for astronomy equipment as well as a clubhouse with refrigerators, restrooms, and other creature comforts.

4. Everglades National Park

The Everglades in south Florida offer an incredibly unique experience during the day as well as amazing stargazing at night. Several roads pass through The Everglades so it’s possible to simply pull over to the side of the road for a quick stargazing session. Several campgrounds in the park also offer overnight chances to see stars. With 1.5 million acres in the park and adjacent to Big Cypress National Preserve, some of the darkest skies in Florida can be found here.

5. Carabelle area

The Carabelle area of Florida’s panhandle experiences little light pollution due to few large cities nearby. Located on the coast, the area is bordered on the north by Tate’s Hell State Forest and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. Carabelle offers numerous places to spend the weekend and enjoy the area, including sitting on the beach to watch the stars. Considered one of Florida’s most romantic places, it’s a great place for a romantic stargazing date or getaway.

There are several places to go when stargazing in Carabelle. Try Bald Point State Park in Alligator Point. Or stay closer to Carabelle and visit Tates Hell State Forest. Nearby St. George Island State Park is well-known as a place for excellent star gazing in Florida. Or head a little east to Ocklocknee River State Park. All four parks are listed as some of Florida’s darkest parks on Go Astronomy.

6. Horseshoe Beach and Steinhatchee

Horseshoe Beach and Steinhatchee, two fishing villages on Florida’s Gulf Coast, also support excellent stargazing in Florida. Rural communities, the Gulf of Mexico borders both villages to the west while the Coastal Creeks Conservation Area and the Steinhatchee Wildlife Management Area borders them in all other directions. Like the other rural areas on this list, a trip to these villages make great places to star gaze and even spend the night or a weekend.

7. Branford area

About an hour northwest of Steinhatchee sits another small Florida town on the shores of the historic Suwanee River. Here the river flows dark and slow, hooking a 90 degree turn before passing by town on it’s winding way to the Gulf of Mexico. Branford is surrounded by farm land and conservation areas, making it a good place to step outside the car and look up at some constellations.

For the most unique experience, try staying along the Suwanee Wilderness State Trail. This string of campsites along the Suwanee River offer exceptional sites for camping and setting up astronomy gear.

8. Dry Tortugas National Park

What happens when you get to Key West…and then keep going? You reach the Dry Tortugas. Or Cuba, but for our purposes we want Dry Tortugas National Park. This collection of islands 70 miles from Key West is only accessible by boat or seaplane. It’s home to Fort Jefferson, and there are many things to do on Dry Tortugas, such as snorkeling, exploring, and fishing. Far from any urban areas, camping on the Dry Tortugas is an amazing way to see pretty night skies and satisfy your stargazing bug.

9. Ocala National Forest

Another National Park Service location in north central Florida, the Ocala National Forest is another good place to look at stars. The Forest has a number of campgrounds. Or stay in a nearby hotel and take a night drive up Highway 19 or across Highway 40. Comprising 673 square miles, the Forest beckons to nature lovers to enjoy her many springs and ecosystems, fishing and kayaking, and a great deal of history found in the area

10. The Middle and Lower Keys

If you’re in the Florida Keys and can’t make it to the Dry Tortugas to star gaze, don’t despair. There are many places in the Lower and Middle Keys that are suitable for stargazing. In the Lower Keys, try Big Pine Key or any of the smaller surrounding keys.

If you’re staying in Islamorada or Marathon, try Long Key, Duck Key, or Vaca Key. These are less populated and have less light pollution than their more popular neighbors. If you’re there on vacation, take some time outside at night to look up at the sky. It’ll be one of the prettiest night skies you’ve ever seen.

11. Ona/Zolfo Springs area

Southeast of Tampa, and directly west of Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, lie Ona and Zolfo Springs. This is an area of farm land though development is moving east from Bradenton and Sarasota. Zolfo Springs is an historic little town through which flows the Peace River. Nearby, Ona is most famous as the location of Solomon’s Castle. If you’re looking for a romantic stargazing trip from Florida’s southwest coast, this is it. Take in the history of the area and stay late to see the stars. It’s also another good area to spend a weekend camping and fossil finding in the Peace River.

12. Cedar Key

Cedar Key is one of Florida’s oldest towns and a small fishing village popular with seafood lovers for weekend getaways. Located at the end of a long county road which passes through miles of marshland before reaching the island, Cedar Key is also one of the darkest places in Florida. Head to the island getaway for the seafood and shopping and stay for the stargazing. If the island itself isn’t dark enough, head out of the town a few miles to Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve.

13. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

Starkey Wilderness Park sits an hour or so north of the Tampa Bay area so it’s not exactly the darkest place in Florida for stargazing. However, the park holds astronomy sessions with telescopes provided for the public to try out stargazing. The monthly event has become a popular one at a park filled with lots of great activities.

FAQs About Seeing the Stars in Florida

📖 Book Recommendation: The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide