Cherry Springs State Park among top 10 best stargazing spots in world

Are you looking for a better view of the stars and other celestial bodies? A nearby place might be worth a visit.

Cherry Springs State Park made the list as one of the top ten best places in the world for stargazing.

The park, located in north-central Pennsylvania just outside of Coudersport and about 180 miles from either Pittsburgh or Greensburg, came in at No. 7 on the list compiled by travel photography website Trover.

The description on the Trover list says of Cherry Springs “Talk to any astrophotographer in or around New England about where they go to shoot the stars, and they’ll all say the same thing: Cherry Springs State Park in north-central Pennsylvania.”

The park is helped by being surrounded by largely undeveloped Susquehannock State Forest.

“The draw is its Overnight Astronomy Observation Field. Perched at the top of a 2,300ft/700m high mountain, if offers a 360-degree view of the night sky for those who register in advance,” the website goes on to say.

Mapping the stars, one Trover discovery at a time. Check out these interactive photos: https://t.co/iPuW5HkRn0 pic.twitter.com/aaLq9Mg3id

— Trover (@trover) October 9, 2019

The park regularly hosts night-sky photography and observations events, including some on Oct. 26.

According to the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site, the park is known for its dark skies which afford great views of the Milky Way, planets, and astronomical objects.

Trover got help from astronomy expert and journalist Jamie Carter for the list. Acadia National Park in Maine was the top spot, with Joshua Tree National Park in Calif. came in at No. 2 and Saguaro National Park in Ariz. rounded out the top 3. Here’s the full list: