There are many possibilities for Stargazing around Tucson on your own.
Some sites listed below are remote and you should visit with caution or with a group.
Tucson is a special astronomy oriented city. For its size, it has a very dark, very dry sky and more than 300 cloudless days a year. Tucson’s dark sky lighting ordinances support many astronomy industries, and surrounding observatories, and has maintained a dark sky despite continuing to grow. The city has astronomy attractions to visit during the day, observatories to visit in the evening, or locations that enable you to enjoy the night sky on your own or with local guides. Of course, if you want us to show you the night sky, visit our Tucson Stargazing Adventures webpage to submit a reservation request form for one of the Stargazing Adventures we support: Reservation Requests
Empire Ranch (SE Tucson). Located south of Tucson off SR83 toward Sonoita. Permits should be obtained for any large group activities. Empire Ranch Website: Empire Ranch Map: Empire Ranch Map
Mount Lemon/Catalina Highway (NE Tucson). A good observing spot is Geology Vista. This is a small turnout facing east. It is about a 30 minute drive up Catalina Highway. There are no facilities. Map: Geology Vista
Douglas Spring Trailhead (East Tucson). This trailhead is at the end of Speedway Blvd near the Rincon Mountains. Map: Douglas Spring Trailhead Map
Coronado National Forest (East Tucson). Entering the National Forest via Reddington Road on the east side of Tucson allows you to find some areas of isolation from the city lights where you can set up. Further into the forest, as you gain altitude, some spectacular overlooks of the city come into view.
LOCAL PARKS
The area County Parks and some State Parks are closed at night, but a number of Tucson area State Parks offer camping and are open at night. These include: Catalina State Park, Picacho Peak State Park, Sonoita Creek State Park, Oracle State Park (an International Dark Sky Park).
RESORTS WITH DARK SKIES
There are a number or Tucson area resorts which have light protected areas that make for good evening stargazing. A number of these resorts also sponsor guided stargazing for their guests periodically during the month.
They include: Ritz Carlton – Dove Mountain resort, JW Marriott Tucson Star Pass, Loews Ventana Canyon, Tanque Verde Ranch (https://www.tanqueverderanch.com), White Stallion Ranch.
NOT A MEMBER?
If you are not a member of TAAA, consider joining the organization to be able to take advantage of our two dark sites.
TIMPA is our site just outside of the city of Tucson, on the west side of the city over the Tucson Mountains. It is open each month around the time of each new moon. It has observing pads and restroom facilities.
The Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (CAC) is our dark site east and south of Tucson with extensive amenities, including restrooms, observing pads, an RV area with power, and exceptionally dark skies.