Cherry Springs State Park Park
Dark-sky park renowned for astronomy viewing
Dark skies, an astronomy field and rustic campsites make Cherry Springs State Park one of the East Coast's best stargazing sites; visitors bring telescopes and plan night photography.
Cherry Springs State Park at a Glance#
Website: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CherrySpringsStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
Hours: Park open 24 hours; astronomy field by reservation for overnight access
About Cherry Springs State Park#
Cherry Springs State Park is a small state park in north-central Pennsylvania known nationally for the quality of its night skies and as a destination for stargazing. The park’s darkness makes it one of the most important urban-edge astronomy sites on the eastern United States.
The park features an open, well-maintained astronomy field and viewing areas where visitors set up telescopes and cameras to observe stars, planets and the Milky Way. Regular star parties and informal observing sessions are held, attracting amateur astronomers and visitors from across the region.
Recognized over the late 20th and early 21st centuries for its very low light pollution, the park has hosted organized astronomy events and partnerships with astronomy groups that promote public observing and education. Conservation of dark skies has become a central management objective.
Cherry Springs lies in Potter County in north-central Pennsylvania, in a rural, forested plateau area away from major metropolitan light sources. The nearest small towns provide basic services, while larger cities are a substantial drive away.
- Dark sky status: Designated for its exceptionally dark night skies on the U.S. eastern seaboard and widely used by amateur astronomers and astronomy clubs.
- Practical advice: Park facilities are basic and the site is remote, so visitors should bring warm clothing and supplies for night viewing.
What to See#
- Astronomy field: An open, vehicle-accessible astronomy field used for observing with minimal light interference and frequently used for star parties and public stargazing events.
How to Get to Cherry Springs State Park#
Cherry Springs State Park is in Potter County, Pennsylvania. The park is accessed by road (Cherry Springs Park Road off PA Route 44/Route 6). The nearest towns with services are Coudersport and Galeton. The astronomy field requires reservations for overnight use-check the Pennsylvania DCNR website for details and reservation procedures.
Tips for Visiting Cherry Springs State Park#
- Book an astronomy field or lean-to in advance if planning an overnight stargazing stay-Cherry Springs is popular with amateur astronomers.
- Bring a red-light headlamp for moving about at night without destroying night-adapted vision.
- Avoid full-moon weekends for star photography; new-moon nights reveal the Milky Way in exceptional detail.
Best Time to Visit Cherry Springs State Park#
Best after dark during new-moon periods year-round; summer offers comfortable nights, shoulder seasons are clearer but colder.
Weather & Climate near Cherry Springs State Park#
Cherry Springs State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1022 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -11° - -2° | -13° | 61 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -10° - 0° | -11° | 64 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -6° - 5° | -5° | 75 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 0° - 12° | 3° | 75 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 19° | 12° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 23° | 16° | 123 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 12° - 25° | 19° | 104 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 92 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 20° | 14° | 94 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 14° | 6° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 7° | -1° | 87 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 1° | -9° | 74 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |