Hiking after sunset is a whole new world, even for the most seasoned hikers. Daytime wildlife melts into the shadows as owls, raccoons, bats and bears come out to play. Frogs croak, katydids chirp and fireflies dance in the trees. And the nocturnal charm is only the beginning. You’ll likely have the trail all to yourself, with daytime nuisances like heat, glare and mosquitos on hold. A familiar trail feels like a first-time experience, heightening your senses and challenging your navigation skills.
Stock your backpack with standard provisions like a first aid kit, water and nutrition, and make sure you add a flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries and an extra layer or two of clothing to keep warm as the temperature drops. Choose a trail that you’re familiar with, ideally a non-technical one so you can spend more time looking up at the starry skies instead of down at rocks and roots. Stay alert for animals foraging close to the trail and give them a wide berth as you pass.
The transition from sunset to complete darkness takes longer than you might expect. A few bright planets pop out as the sun sinks below the horizon, but the full show doesn’t appear until 60 to 90 minutes after sunset. Get to the trailhead at dusk so you can soak in the colorful transition while your eyes adjust to the dimming light. Map out an observation point before you go, selecting a spot with minimal tree canopy, like an open meadow or lakeshore. Make sure mountain peaks won’t crowd the horizons, and avoid areas with high light pollution. Consider investing in a stargazing app to help you identify planets and constellations. If possible, schedule your trek with a new moon and minimal cloud cover for the best chance to see distant planets and the bright swirls of the Milky Way.
Experience night hiking on one of these starry trails across America.
1. Hermitage Point Trail
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Hike 9.7 easy miles on this round trip trek over mostly level terrain to watch the stars come out on the shores of Lake Jackson. The trek takes you through alpine forests and meadows before the skies open up at the tip of the peninsula, with the majestic backdrop of the Grand Tetons low on the horizon to the southwest. Learn more here.
2. Nauset Marsh Trail
Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Start at the Salt Pond Visitor Center, where you can choose from a boggy trail along the edge of Nauset Marsh or a paved path through scrub pine forest, both leading three round trip miles to a spectacular strand of undeveloped coastline on the North Atlantic. The night skies above Coast Guard Beach, 90 miles from the city lights of Boston, are prime stargazing territory. In warmer months, you may reach the beach only to find a fog bank clinging to the shore, so hike in winter for crystal clear conditions. Learn more here.
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3. Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail
Death Valley National Park, California
An easy half mile paved path leads to remains of a borax mine, a rustic backdrop for viewing the night skies. Start your hike at dusk to soak in the sunset, then find a spot by the covered wagons and cabins that stand silhouetted against the stars. Learn more here.
4. Hidden Lake Overlook
Glacier National Park, Montana
Start at the Logan Pass Visitor Center for this 2.7-mile round trip hike across wind-swept alpine meadows. The exposed trail can remain partially snow covered year-round. You’ll cross the Continental Divide just before arriving at the Rocky Mountain overlook and vantage point for 360-degree stargazing. Learn more here.
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5. Anhinga Trail
Everglades National Park, Florida
A flat, .8-mile round trip trek through sawgrass marsh leads from the Royal Palm Visitor Center up Taylor Slough, an area known for its abundant wildlife. From the boardwalk, expect to see alligators, turtles, egrets, herons, anhingas and hundreds of migratory birds as you hike to the observation platform. Visit from December to April, when skies are clear of summer haze and migrations are at their peak. Learn more here.
6. Ridgeline Trail
Headlands Dark Sky Discovery Park, Michigan
This 600-acre preserve on the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is designated an International Dark Sky Park, guaranteeing minimal light pollution and maximum star power. Hike three miles round trip on the Ridgeline Trail to take in the skies over the Straits of Mackinac. If you’re lucky, you may even spy the colorful Aurora Borealis. Learn more here.
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7. Flat Top Trail
Peaks of Otter, Virginia
Hike up a series of switchbacks to a starry summit overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. On this 4.4-mile strenuous hike, you’ll climb 1,500 feet through Appalachian forest from the Blue Ridge Parkway to your rocky overlook. Use a headlamp and hiking poles to navigate rocks. Learn more here.
8. Lost Mine Trail
Big Bend National Park, Texas
The national park with the least light pollution in the lower 48 is a bucket list must. Hike five miles round trip in the Chisos Mountains through juniper, oak and pine to ridgeline views across Pine Canyon and a stunning star show over Mexico’s Sierra del Carmen nature reserve. Scorching summer heat makes this an ideal winter hike. Learn more here.
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9. Crescent Lake Nature Trail
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska
This sea of grass and wetlands in the remote Nebraska Sandhills is a world away from city lights and without trees, creating ideal conditions for stargazing. Hike the rolling, 2.2-mile trail to an observation deck and back for your star party. Volatile weather in summer and winter make spring and fall the best times to visit. Learn more here.