One Of The Top Stargazing Destinations In America Is A Gorgeous Arizona City

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Humans have been gazing at the night sky, trying to figure out its mysteries since the dawn of civilization. Ancient Greek and Egyptian stargazers used rudimentary tools to create star maps and identify the patterns that continue to weave through mythology and drive astrology. Early scholars like Ptolemy and Hipparchus took a scientific approach to stargazing, applying mathematical principles to track constellations. In medieval times, monasteries throughout Europe featured observatories where monks-in-residence could study the celestial skies. By the mid-20th century, humans were hurtling through space in an effort to land on the moon — a feat U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong accomplished in 1969. But still, we're mesmerized by the great beyond, gazing in wonder at the night sky and searching the heavens for constellations while astronomers build stronger telescopes and smarter robotics to extend the reach of our vision.

Unfortunately for those of us who live in or near urban centers, light pollution — a byproduct of the man-made light that illuminates dark parking lots and makes it safer to navigate winding roads at night — is inadvertently stealing the darkness, making it increasingly difficult to see the twinkle of stars above. Fortunately, there are still places around the world where light pollution does not infiltrate the night sky. Most of them are remote, far away from civilization and man-made light. Some, like Sedona, Arizona, are well-populated communities where residents are making an intentional effort to preserve the night sky. The result? Sedona is one of the top stargazing destinations in the United States. It's also a hiker's paradise.

DarkSky International, an organization founded to educate the public about light pollution and spearhead initiatives to limit its impact, designated Sedona an official DarkSky Community in 2014. One of five official categories, a designated "dark sky community" is a municipality with a proven track record of creating policies designed to limit the impact of light pollution. That's a spot-on title for Sedona, where conservation-minded residents have been actively addressing the issue of light pollution since 1972.

The local initiative, Keep Sedona Beautiful, began as a grass-roots effort when members of the Sedona community banded together to lobby for standards designed to protect the region's natural resources during a period of rapid development. Early in the process, it became clear that the night sky was one of the city's most at-risk assets. By the early 2000s, Sedona had laws in place to regulate the installation of man-made lighting, including a detailed analysis of acceptable, low-impact options.

Sedona is well-known for its vast desert landscapes, stunning mesas, and spectacular sunsets, making it one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the United States, but those lighting regulations passed almost a quarter-century ago ensure it will remain a premier stargazing destination for generations to come. In the meantime, it doesn't take much more than an upward glance at the evening sky — even without a high-powered telescope — to take in the sweeping magic of the Milky Way, but we know of a few places where it's possible to fully immerse yourself in the wonder of the celestial light show.

Located about a mile and a half from downtown Sedona, Thunder Mountain Trailhead is a popular gathering spot to watch the sunset. Insider tip: Many Sedona restaurants will pack to go, including everything you need for a sunset tailgate — as long as you give them a heads-up. Stick around for a while after dark to watch a blanket of stars fill the sky. Getting to Baldwin Trailhead involves more of a trek, but the payoff is a stunning view of Cathedral Rock against a backdrop of the night sky. A bonus: Cathedral Rock is considered one of Sedona's major vortices — places where Earth's energy is believed to be infused with healing powers. If your prefer stargazing with a side of expert insight, consider a guided tour. A number of local companies offer jeep tours to premium viewing spots in the desert in the company of an astronomer.

If, after gazing at the night sky in Sedona, you're intrigued by the idea of zooming in on the celestial landscape, head to nearby Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, a small town near the Grand Canyon with a ton of retro charm (made famous by a mention in the iconic 1946 song "Get Your Kicks on Route 66"). An all-day pass to the observatory, about 30 miles north of Sedona, includes access to the Dark Sky Planetarium, in addition to tours, exhibits, and stargazing. "Living here, it's hard to imagine how many millions of people who live in light polluted cities can't even see individual bright stars," Dr. Stephen Leshin, an amateur astronomer who vacations in Sedona, told DarkSky International in 2014.