Stargazing is so amazing for the simple reason that it’s completely free and doesn’t require any special equipment to gain the benefits.
It’s fun for the whole family, romantic getaways and most definitely quality time with the kids.
In this article you will learn the ins and outs to stargazing while on a camping trip, because why not?
It’s one of, if not the best nighttime activity in my opinion, when done correctly of course.
So without further ado, lets get right into it!
Precautions
Check the Weather Forecast
Check the weather forecast before your trip, throughout the day and more importantly before bedtime.
Weather predictions change all the time, and if you only check the weather once you may be setting yourself up for a disaster.
Always Have the Rain Fly With You No Matter What
The weather forecast might say it’s going to be good, however, weather is completely unpredictable no matter what part of the world you’re in.
Some more than others.
You’ll kick yourself if you backpacked miles away from your vehicle just to have a downpour happen at the dead of night.
Even worse, you’ll resort to survival skills if you’re too far from any type of warm/dry shelter.
Bottom line: Always have your rain fly with you no matter what. Safe is always better than sorry my friend.
Your Rain Fly Should Be At-The-Ready
What do I mean by this? That your rain fly should be inside your tent and in an easily accessible area.
Interior storage pockets work fine.
In the event it starts raining, your tent and everything inside it is going to get wet, so being able to grab the rain fly and attach it to your tent in a fast and easy manner is highly important.
The longer you’re opening your backpack zippers and sifting through all your equipment, the more soaked everything is going to get with every passing second.
Yes, every second counts in a situation like this.
Surroundings
Are you in a public campsite or the wilderness?
Are you comfortable sleeping in a public site with yourself completely exposed to passerby?
You are usually safe in the wilderness because the only thing out there are animals.
Public campsites are usually safe too, however, know that you can be seen from the outside.
If this doesn’t worry you then that is fine. If it does, maybe wilderness stargazing is more suited for you.
Otherwise you’ll want a tent with mesh ceiling only and normal walls so you still have your privacy.
How to Stargaze
You Need a Stargazing Tent
As long as the tent has a mesh ceiling, it fits the criteria and can be classed as a stargazing tent.
There are hundreds available, some have more mesh than others and some are also bigger.
It all depends on what size you want and how much of the “outside world” you want to see.
Some tents offer a mesh ceiling while others offer full mesh bodies.
Go here for the best stargazing tents >>>
Remove the Rain Fly
Of course you need to be able to view the outdoor world, so removing the rain fly is mandatory.
As I mentioned above…once the rain fly is removed, ensure it is in a place you won’t forget and can be accessed immediately, as in, when you notice the rain coming down!
Pitching The Tent in The Correct Place
Under a tree might give you the best protection from the rain, but it’s going to hinder your night sky view isn’t it?
The best places are high up, so on top of a hill is the ultimate goal here. But do keep in mind you will be susceptible to high winds in the event the weather picks up unexpectedly.
If this is not an option, an open field will do the trick just fine.
As long as you’re out of the presence of light and have an unobstructed view of the sky, you are in a good place.
The Darkest Campsites Work Best
Being in complete darkness is where you gain the best views of the galaxy above.
If you’re campsite is full of lights that brighten up your entire stargazing area, and you have no way of moving your tent, grab a chair and move to a quiet, darker place.
You can’t stargaze as you drift off to sleep, however, it means you can enjoy this activity just as much as the next person 🙂
Binoculars or Telescope
Although a telescope is the best, binoculars is the better alternative and my preferred choice since it’s a lot more compact and lightweight.
None of these are needed but can make it a little more fun if you’re trying to identify constellations and other planets more accurately!
You do not need expensive binoculars either, as a pair of 10 x 50 is all you need.
The Location of the Moon
There’s a good reason why we can’t see much of the stars in our own backyard, the fact that there is SO many light sources around us.
The street lights, our neighbours house lights and even our own are a massive hindrance on our abilities to see everything in our galaxy.
Furthermore, the moon is another huge culprit even though we never think about this.
It is best to stargaze when the moon is out of sight or in the crescent phase.
Conclusion
Remember, eliminating all light sources completely is key for a successful stargazing mission.
Only then is when the magic happens and you can actually see all the constellations, the milky way and the billions of stars in our galaxy.
Well I hope this article found you well and I absolutely know you can make the best of a stargazing night by using these tips.
When’s your next stargazing adventure? Let us know in the comments below!
Cheers and have a great day.
-Brandon
Camping Mastery
Hi Brandon, I have so enjoyed reading this post. It was most interesting and gave me a good idea or where to camp. What type of tent is best for stargazing?
What has been you favorite place to camp?
Honestly, there are many stargazing tents that are good. I have compiled a list of 18 here.
My favorite place to camp is where I live…Taranaki, New Zealand. Although I will let you know when I start exploring more 🙂
I love to stargaze and for sure had not thought about the stargazing tent with a mesh, you have given me a great idea, and that’s why i keep coming back to your blog to read your informative content and idea! Thank you
Your kind words mean a lot, Mercy. Keep coming back cause I’m never going to stop posting!
This is great info! I always love stars and never got the chance to sit down and stargaze properly! This is helpful for me next time we go camping. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
You’re very welcome 😀
Really enjoyed reading this article. I’ve always been intrigued with the stars and solar system growing up. I grew up in the city, so it’s not so easy to see all that stargazing offers in the country for example.
Your article was very informative and now I know exactly what to look for as I will be enjoying my first camping trip this summer.
Thanks Brandon
I grew up in a small town and STILL to this day live in the same town, mostly because I’m building an online empire before I take the almighty leap into the big move. However, that’s a whole other subject.
But in saying that, you can’t really see the starry night sky where I am so you have to go out bush to see everything in our galaxy. I hope you experience it soon because it really is a sight like no other.
Hi Brandon and thank you sincerely for your great post. I absolutely LOVE stargazing and even had a conservatory built on my house so I could gaze at the stars at home. I’m excited about the idea of a star-gazing tent. Where can I get one of those and do you know if they sell them in the UK which is where I am located. I’ve traveled and camped in the African bush and that was such a brilliant experience for looking up at the stars. Similarly in Peru and Antigua too. There are so many places to go but I agree with you in that you need to get away from the light pollution that is around. Thanks again for your inspirational post. Gail
OMG, that’s amazing that you got the conservatory. That’s something I should get since I’m also a big fan of stargazing. Thanks for the great idea!
And yes, here’s those stargazing tents you’re looking for 🙂
Hi Bandon,
Stargazing is great, seeing what’s going on in the sky. I like your suggestion for the rain fly and will be checking out the best tents for stargazing!
Thank you, glad you liked it 😀
Hi Brandon,
I have been wanting to take my kids (I have two girls, 7 and 8 years old) camping for quite some time now, but since we have never done it before I keep hesitating. I think they will love it, but I’m a little scared of the trip, how long should I go for a first time, what to take with me, what site to pick … soooo many questions! Well, I’m not going to bore you with my story, just want to thank you for the information you are sharing on your site, you have answered a lot of my questions and have encouraged me to make my trip happen very soon. 🙂
It’s really not easy taking the almighty leap into the unknown, however, that’s what most people do and it turns out to be an amazing trip/experience. Here’s an article explaining how to get rid of that fear everyone gets 🙂
Hi Brandon,
Thanks for this great post. I love going camping with my 2 sons and try to go a few times a year when the weather allows.
I much prefer wild camping to staying on a site and I find this is much better to see the stars at night as there’s a lot less light pollution.
One thing I don’t have is a stargazing tent so that is something I will look into now, especially with camping season coming up.
Best wishes,
Michael.
I love wilderness camping too. I actually prefer it better than public sites because there’s no noisy neighbours and you don’t have to leave for the next person to camp in your spot, haha. Plus it’s a much better experiencing relying on yourself and your family, because you create an unbreakable bond. Thanks for the comment brother.
Good luck on your future ventures!
This is a great post! Thank you for all the information, where do you suggest is the best place to get Binoculars or a Telescope?
Amazon.com my friend! They always have the best prices and fastest deliveries.
Great advice, living in the city my whole life it really is crazy when you get out in the middle of nowhere and its pitch black how may stars you can actually see.
It’s a true eye-opener I must say!
I’m a city girl, but I sure loved this post on the right way to Star gaze. I have always looked up and imagined what actually seeing the milky way and galaxies far beyond instead of in books and online. It sure would be an amazing adventure. Even though I haven’t had the wonderful experience you pretty much made it clear that I don’t know what I’m missing.
Yes, it sure is different from the books and online pictures. NOTHING beats personal experience my friend 🙂
Brandon great and awesome post. Everything anyone needs to know about camping is right here. I really enjoyed reading the tips, ideas and information, regarding the Stargaze tent. Actually, this is my first time hearing about it, but this is what so significant about your post, new knowledge.
Thank you!
Thank you, Louisa. Like you, I am also about the #knawledge 😀 Haha, all jokes aside, I hope you can experience a true stargazing night with your family sometime soon.
Nice post. I never really thought about sitting and stargazing, but your post has put the idea in the back of my mind that I might want to try it. However, the fact that you pointed out being prepared for rain, also made me think I might NOT want to do it! LOL! Well done.!
Lol…well, if you check the weather often you can’t go wrong. Also, just keep the rain fly and flashlight handy so you can throw it over your tent when it does rain. Don’t get discouraged Yvette, real adventurers don’t get discouraged!