North Dakota is kind of like the final frontier of the United States. Some folks like to give that title to Alaska, but let's be real here: there are a lot more people visiting Alaska every year than there are visiting North Dakota. We feel like that is some kind of terrible injustice; this state is a wonderland, especially for the lovers of nature and the great outdoors. For example, if you're a fan of stargazing, have we got some good news for you: there isn't just one dark sky park in North Dakota. Nope, there are seven - and today, we're going to check out one of our favorites for some of the best stargazing in ND!
Cross Ranch State Park is underrated and overly awesome.
It's wonderful day and night, and being nestled right along the last free-flowing, undeveloped stretch of the Missouri River means it's teeming with wildlife. There's even a gorgeous lake to kill an entire afternoon at, should you arrive in the morning.
But when the sun goes down and the moon comes up...
Cross Ranch State Park is an often overlooked gem, especially by night.
There is nothing in this world quite as relaxing to the heart and soul as a good night spent stargazing, and this particular state park is perfect for the occasion because it has been designated as a North Dakota Dark Sky Park.
You can camp here, or you can book a stay in a cozy yurt so you'll have somewhere to keep warm in between bouts of watching the heavens above.
The park is huge, and it's home to more than 17 miles of gorgeous trails, a sparkling, crystal-clear lake, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
There's much to be done around here besides stargazing...
...but honestly, we'll be so excited about doing that that we might just hope the day goes by a little faster so we can arrive in the velvet night that much sooner.
Experience the perfect dark of North Dakota nights in a totally new way: in one of the darkest places you can possibly go in the entire nation.
If you plan to do any stargazing in North Dakota, take a look at this fascinating 360-degree view of the North Dakota sky in this interactive video from the
State Historical Society of North Dakota:
To learn more, be sure to check out the official North Dakota Parks and Rec website for all the details you'll need to book a yurt or plan your trip.
If you're like us and can't get enough of our dark, beautiful nights, check out this article about the best place for witnessing the northern lights in North Dakota. Alternatively, you can visit the largest dark sky park in North Dakota for some of the best stargazing in ND!
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