Top 5 Campsites for Stargazing and Astrophotography in Arizona
Arizona's clear skies and diverse landscapes make it a stargazer and astrophotographers paradise. Whether you're a passionate astrophotographer or simply love gazing at the night sky, these campsites offer some of the best stargazing opportunities across the state of Arizona. Remember that if you are planning to do astrophotography it can be helpful to scout during the day.
1. Sedona
Sedona's iconic red rock formations provide a stunning foreground for night sky photography. As a designated Dark Sky Community, Sedona offers exceptional stargazing conditions.
Where to Camp: Sedona has a lot of established campsites in the area but also some BLM land for dispersed camping. I would recommend checking out an overlanding app to find free campsites. If you are looking for something more organized try the Manzanita Campground in Oak Creek Canyon. Its location away from the city center provides darker skies while still being close to Sedona.
Photography Tip: Capture the silhouette of Cathedral Rock against the Milky Way for a truly breathtaking shot. There are numerous places from where the Milky Way will line up behind Cathedral rock when it is horizontal or vertical. There are also a ton of trails in Sedona to explore for night photography.
2. White Pocket
Located in the remote Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, White Pocket offers a surreal landscape that's perfect for night photography. Since White Pocket is so far from any major city or even small town there is no light pollution and the stars are amazing on a clear night!
Where to Camp: Dispersed camping is allowed in the White Pocket parking lot. There are also many pull off sites along the dirt road to get there. You can’t camp on the actual rocks but it is just a short walk from the parking area.
Photography Tip: There are endless astrophotography opportunities here! If it rains recently you can find some amazing little pools of water all over to use as a reflection for the sky which makes for some incredible night photography.
3. Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon's vast expanse and dark skies create an unforgettable stargazing experience. As an International Dark Sky Park, it offers some of the best night sky viewing in the country.
Where to Camp: Desert View Campground on the South Rim provides a more secluded experience compared to the busier Mather Campground.
Photography Tip: If you want to capture the Milky Way you will need to visit the North Rim of The Grand Canyon as it faces south. Cape Royal is a feature of the canyon that has the Milky Way rise right behind it.
4. Chiricahua National Monument
Known for its unique rock formations, Chiricahua National Monument also boasts exceptionally dark skies, perfect for stargazing and astrophotography.
Where to Camp: Bonita Canyon Campground is the only developed campground in the monument, offering easy access to prime stargazing spots.
Photography Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture both the towering rock formations and the star-filled sky.
5. Kofa Mountains
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Kofa Mountains, offers some of the darkest skies in Arizona because it is so far from urban light pollution.
Where to Camp: Dispersed camping is allowed throughout most of the refuge. There are plenty of pull-offs all along the dirt road that you can camp at.
Photography Tip: Queen Canyon Road offers some of the more scenic peaks to photograph and they align when the Milky Way is horizontal. You can also get some unique shots of Cholla cactus in the foreground.
