Out here in Southeast Montana, the skies stretch on for miles over the prairies and badlands. And at night, they can seem even bigger with the countless stars spreading out as far as the eye can see. The limited light pollution over Montana's rural prairies allows for some of the best night sky gazing in the world.

With the right timing and location, you can wish upon a shooting star, witness the spectacular Milky Way arcing overhead, or even catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing across Southeast Montana's vast horizon. Stargazing is something that can be done almost anywhere, but there are factors that make certain times and places better than others. Follow our comprehensive guide to get the most out of your stargazing adventure.

Tips for the Best Stargazing Experience

The best time to stargaze is just before, during, or after a new moon, when the sky is at its darkest due to lack of moonlight. When a full moon is visible, it's more difficult to see stars, but when the moon is between the Earth and the sun (a new moon), it reflects less light than usual. This makes for darker skies, which means you're likely to see more stars, meteors, and even the Milky Way stretching across Montana's big sky.

For even darker skies, consider visiting areas away from artificial lights. Streetlights, car headlights, and even campfires can all affect how clearly you see constellations in the sky. This is where Southeast Montana truly shines – the vast rural prairies provide natural separation from light pollution that is hard to find in most areas of the United States.  

When and Where to Go Stargazing

One great thing about stargazing is that it can be done all year round in Southeast Montana. Serious astronomers prefer autumn and spring because it gets darker sooner and the nights are darker for longer. However, Montana's crisp winter nights often provide exceptional clarity, while summer offers longer opportunities to view the Milky Way. Cloud cover can dampen your ability to see the stars, so always check the weather forecast before you go.

In Southeast Montana, there are several public spaces open for camping and stargazing. Our state parks and BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) offer quality dark and quiet spaces for night sky viewing. Check out Montana's Trail to the Stars for a map of the best stargazing destinations in Central and Eastern Montana.

Medicine Rocks State Park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association). Officially recognized in December 2020, the park is one of only two dark sky sites in Montana and remains among the most exclusive dark sky sanctuaries in the world. The 320-acre park is situated between Baker and Ekalaka, where sandstone rock formations rise out of the earth throughout the grounds. The formations have been weathered over hundreds of years to give them a "Swiss-cheese" look. Today, the park remains popular for hiking, wildlife watching and of course, world-class night sky gazing.

What Makes a Dark-Sky Sanctuary Special

DarkSky International requires designated sites to provide "an exceptional dark sky resource where the night sky brightness is routinely equal to or darker than 21.5 magnitudes per square arcsecond." Over the course of two years, Carter County Museum Executive Director Sabre Moore conducted sky quality measurements and concluded that Medicine Rocks State Park exceeded this benchmark.

The organization has five different types of designations: communities, parks, reserves, sanctuaries and urban night sky places. The sanctuary designation is specifically designed to increase awareness of these fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation, recognizing areas where "the typical geographic isolation of Dark Sky Sanctuaries significantly limits opportunities for public outreach."

Planning Your Dark-Sky Adventure

Out here, Southeast Montana's big, open spaces offer the perfect opportunity to get away from the lights of cities and towns and explore some of the darkest sky spots in the world. With Montana gaining recognition as a top stargazing destination for 2025, now is an excellent time to experience these pristine dark skies.

Start planning ahead for your trip to experience Medicine Rocks State Park and other stargazing destinations along Montana's Trail to the Stars. Find places to stay in Ekalaka or Baker, as well as maps, directions and camping information about the park on the Montana State Parks website. We encourage you to visit the events page for Carter County Museum and plan to attend future star parties or astrophotography workshops.

Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or simply someone who appreciates the natural wonder of a star-filled sky, Southeast Montana offers an unforgettable experience under some of the darkest skies you'll find anywhere on Earth. From wishing upon shooting stars to witnessing the full glory of the Milky Way, your stargazing adventure in Big Sky Country awaits.