Georgia is home to Atlanta, one of the most well-known cities in the U.S. (and fun fact, the busiest airport in the entire country!), so it’s understandable if it doesn’t immediately come to mind when you think of great stargazing destinations. 

Don’t write the Peach State off just yet though. The scenic southern state actually has many wide-open, natural spaces with unobstructed views of the night sky. Whether you’re close to Atlanta or Savannah, or somewhere else altogether, here are the best places for stargazing in Georgia.

Tips for Epic Stargazing in Georgia

Before you begin your journey of stargazing in Georgia, it’s important to learn a few tips and tricks that can help you along the way. 

• Not only do you want to try to get away from city lights for the best stargazing opportunities, but you also want to find open spots with unobstructed views of the sky.
• Stars in the night sky look the brightest from about an hour after sunset to an hour before sunrise. Basically, the best stargazing in Georgia is in the middle of the night. 
• It takes time to let your eyes acclimate to darkness and see as many stars as possible. Once you get to your stargazing spot, turn off all lights and wait at least 30 minutes for the best visibility.
• In humid areas such as Georgia, the best times of year for stargazing are the fall and winter. On the other hand, summer is the best season for spotting the Milky Way. 
• Use a dark sky finder app or website to help find the best, darkest stargazing areas near you. There are several great free ones, such as Dark Site Finder.

Ready to spend the night under the stars? Then it’s time to figure out just where in Georgia you’re headed! 

Best Locations for Stargazing Near Atlanta

You may have to use a bit more creativity for stargazing in Atlanta and other large cities, but it can easily be done if you just think outside the box. 

Dr. Ralph L. Buice, Jr. Observatory

Located at the Fernbank Science Center just 20 minutes from downtown, this observatory is home to one of the largest telescopes in the Southeast. On Thursdays and Fridays, the observatory is open to the public, making some of the best stargazing in Atlanta accessible to everyone. 

Stone Mountain Park

One of Georgia’s most well-known attractions is also a must-see destination for stargazing in Atlanta. Head to Stone Mountain Lake and set up chairs or a blanket anywhere along the shoreline, or set up shop at the boating dock. 

Hard Labor Creek State Park

While technically not in Atlanta, Hard Labor Creek State Park offers up some of the best stargazing in Georgia. The park is about 50 minutes from the city and home to star-filled, clear night skies — particularly over Lake Brantley. Georgia State University also operates an observatory at the park, which holds regular public open houses. 

RV Parks Nearby:

• Atlanta South RV Resort
• Allatoona Landing Marine Resort

Cruise America has a convenient Atlanta rental location for exploring all the stargazing options in the city!

Best Locations for Stargazing in North Georgia

With North Georgia’s proximity to the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, it comes as no surprise that there’s plenty of wide-open spaces perfect for stargazing. 

Brasstown Bald

Well known as the highest peak in Georgia, Brasstown Bald sits in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest at an elevation of 4,784 feet. Brasstown Bald stargazing is especially good because of the observation tower with 360-degree views. Even without using a telescope, you can see four states on clear days (or nights!)

Carters Lake

Carters Lake is another location for stargazing in Georgia in the northern part of the state. Situated in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s the state’s deepest lake. Come for the fishing and boating activities, then after dark, head to the boat ramp at the marina for some incredible stargazing. 

Fort Mountain State Park

Fort Mountain State Park sits at an elevation of 2,850 feet above sea level, making for great hiking and even better stargazing in Georgia. There are many miles of hiking trails to explore, but some of the best viewing spots are the open fields and the park’s sole fire tower lookout. 

Low Gap

For an accessible stargazing destination in North Georgia with especially great views of the Milky Way, head to Low Gap. It’s located just outside Helen, so some areas do experience a bit of light pollution. However, the lake along Low Gap Road offers excellent, light-free viewpoints. 

RV Parks Nearby:

• Mountain View Campground
• Trackrock Campground & Cabins

Pick up a Cruise America RV at either our North Atlanta or Kennesaw location to check out all the best North Georgia stargazing locations.

Other Locations for Stargazing in Georgia

Aside from the more well-known destinations near Atlanta and in the northern part of the state, there are many other places to go stargazing while RV camping in Georgia. 

Stephen C. Foster State Park

Tucked into the remote Okefenokee Swamp (one of Georgia’s 7 natural wonders!), Stephen C. Foster State Park was the state’s first official International Dark Sky Park. The scenery and wildlife are equally jaw-dropping, and it’s remote enough that you can easily see the Milky Way on clear nights, making for some of the best stargazing in Georgia. 

Tybee Island

This tiny island near Florida offers some of the clearest, darkest skies and best stargazing in Georgia. In fact, the island is so dark that it’s become a protected refuge where Loggerhead sea turtles come to build their nests. The Milky Way is frequently visible, and several lighthouses and lifeguard stations make for great photo ops. 

Deerlick Astronomy Village

Finally, no list of the best places to go stargazing in Georgia is complete without a mention of the very unique Deerlick Astronomy Village. The ultra rural community about two hours east of Atlanta was created specifically to become an International Dark Sky Community — and indeed, it is. Everything here was designed with astronomers in mind, including rules like no white light allowed –– only red. 

RV Parks Nearby:

• River’s End Campground in Tybee Island
• Okefenokee RV Park

Make your road trip around Georgia easy with our state-wide RV rental locations!

Cruise Your Way Through Stargazing in Georgia

With so many of the best stargazing destinations in Georgia being so rural, it only makes sense to make a bigger trip out of it and go RV camping! Cruise America makes it easy, offering several RV models to choose from, each with a long list of modern amenities. 

Pick up your RV rental from Cruise America and hit the road! Which Georgia stargazing destination will you head to first?