Stargazing: Starry, Starry Nights in the North State

One of the best parts of camping is gazing up at the night sky filled with stars sparkling like diamonds, undimmed by ambient city lights. Keep an eye out for falling stars, easy to spot in a light-pollution-free starry sky.

But you don’t have to camp in the wilderness to experience the beautiful star-filled night sky. You can enjoy an easier “glamping” experience at Mill Creek Resorts far enough from the city lights to provide dark skies and great stargazing opportunities.

Observatories and stargazing clubs throughout the North State offer spectacular stargazing opportunities with the added benefit of “star guidance.” You’ll learn the names and locations of constellations and what planets are easily visible.

Chico Community Observatory, 1 Observatory Way, invites the public to gaze at the planets, stars and distant galaxies through high-powered telescopes. This awe-inspiring experience is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, weather permitting, and is free of charge. Check their website for hours and dates. The functionality of the observatory is heavily dependent on cloud cover, so days and times might change even up to a few hours before opening. You are welcome to come use the nearby telescope pad to set up your own telescopes or lean back in the circular reclined seating of the Open Sky Planetarium to enjoy the night sky yourself! chicorec.gov/chico-community-observatory

Mt. Shasta Stargazers Club has monthly Star Parties, free for everyone whether you’re a club member or not. View stars, galaxies, nebulae, double stars, planets (when visible), planetary nebulae and star clusters. The Milky Way can be seen from horizon to horizon. There’s something fascinating for everyone. Children welcome with adult supervision.

The Star Party viewing location is about 30 to 45 minutes from the City of Mount Shasta. Check their website for Star Party days and times and other club events. mtshastastargazers.com.

Mt. Shasta Audubon Dark Sky Events

This month, Mt. Shasta Audubon presents “Starry, Starry Night”, an exploration of the summer sky, led by Barbara Paulson, Aug. 12, 9-10:30pm on Mt. Shasta. A retired high school astronomy teacher, Barbara has an effervescent flair for teaching and sharing her love of the universe. She will guide the group through constellations and planets with a special focus on the Perseid meteor shower whose peak is that very night!

This event is free and kid-friendly. Registration required. Register at 2026 Starry, Starry Nights. Logistics and meeting place will be confirmed by email prior to the trip. For more info and to check for future Dark Sky and other events, go to mtshastaaudubon.com.  Scan QR code to sign up. Email MountShastaAudubon@gmail.com with questions or to get on the notification list.

Schreder Planetarium, 1644 Magnolia Ave. Redding, has exciting full-dome dynamic, immersive shows the first and third Friday night each month, along with 16 interactive exhibits that bring science to life.

• Kids Night, Aug. 7, starts at 6pm with Up in the Air (Take Flight: Zula Patrol:  Under the Weather).

• Family Night, Aug. 21, starts at 7pm with Exploring Space (From Earth to  the Universe: Wonder of the Universe).

Tickets are $12 (children on your lap are free) are available online only and often sell out, so book ahead. shastacoe.org/programs-services/planetarium

Shasta Land Trust Starlight Social

For those who want to relax with a glass and a nosh while gazing at the beauty of the cosmos with the best views of the Perseid meteor shower, this event is the ticket! Experience a magical summer night under the stars at the Shasta Land Trust’s newly protected property, Gore Ranch, far from city lights with incredible views of the Perseid meteor shower at its peak.

Kick off the evening with mouthwatering appetizers and desserts and a selection of local beer and wine. Then, sit back and gaze at the dazzling night sky through powerful telescopes as expert guides from the Shasta Astronomy Club take you on a journey through the cosmos.

Aug. 13, 8:30-10:30pm. Tickets $15-$40 available at Eventbrite.

More info at shastalandtrust.org.

The Shasta Astronomy Club hosts free public star parties beginning at sunset at Oak Bottom Marina parking lot at Whiskytown Lake. The next Star Parties are Aug. 15 and Sept. 12. Follow them on Facebook to find out about future parties and learn about exciting national and local astronomical news.

“Please feel free to come out a little bit before sunset and watch us set up,” says Greg Williams, president of the Shasta Astronomy Club. “We love to talk and share our knowledge of the telescopes, the sky, and science in general.”

There will be a park information booth and young and old visitors will have the opportunity to complete Night Sky Junior Ranger activity books and then receive a badge to add to their collection.

In addition to these great books for children about stargazing, there are some great star gazing resources online.

Sky & Telescope  provides stargazing basics, astronomy for beginners and a weekly informational newsletter about what to look for in the sky.

National Geographic has a Practical Guide to Stargazing with tips on where and when to go stargazing.

The American Museum of Natural History has a Kids Guide to Stargazing with tips for staying safe and tracking the stars.

Since moving to the Mount Shasta area from the light-soaked Bay Area, Stacey has enjoyed being able to see the beautiful, star-filled night sky undimmed by city lights. In fact, she has found that on local camping and rafting trips, the stars are so bright, no flashlight is needed to find her way at night.