Stargazing in Ohio

When you leave the city and head to the fields and back roads of the Buckeye State, that's where the stars really begin to shine. From ancient civilizations to modern times, people have turned their attention to the night sky to find our place in this vast universe. Our guide to stargazing in Ohio takes you to some of the best destinations in our state to marvel at the twinkling lights, from John Glenn Astronomy Park in Hocking Hills State Park to Observatory Park, which is recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as a Silver Tier Dark Sky Park. We also turn to the pros for essential stargazing tools for beginners and tips on how to capture the beauty of the night sky on your smartphone. (Yes, really!)

Whether you stay close to home or make it a road trip, use this Ohio stargazing guide to join in an age-old tradition and turn your gaze toward the skies above.


13 Great Stargazing Spots in Ohio: Visit these parks across our state that open a world of opportunity for exploring the universe without ever leaving the ground.


Visit Ohio’s First International Dark Sky Park in Geauga County: Rookie stargazer Jason Brill tells how a visit to Observatory Park in Montville offers a connection across space and time.


Visit the Best Stargazing Spot in the Hocking Hills: John Glenn Astronomy Park director Brad Hoehne shares his inspiration for helping set aside a place where everyone can share in the splendor of the night sky.


4 Essential Stargazing Tools for Beginners: Taking in the night sky doesn’t have to involve an out-of-this-world investment. If you want to get into this stellar pursuit, here is what you need to get you started.


How to Get Stunning Night-Sky Photos with Your Smartphone: A seasoned photographer shares his advice for getting the best results with a tool nearly all of us carry around all the time.


Why We Should All Be Stewards of the Night Sky: Photographer Zakk Sheehan tells of his long fascination with photographing starry nights and how he hopes capturing their grandeur helps inspire awareness of its fragility.