National Plan for Vacation Day isn’t just about blocking time off on your calendar—it’s about choosing experiences that actually recharge you. And few things do that better than stepping outside after dark, looking up, and realizing just how big the universe really is.
Across the country, travelers are rethinking what makes a great vacation. More people are ditching the old-school approach involving packed itineraries and crowded hotspots. Instead, many are planning trips around quiet moments, meaningful experiences, and unforgettable nights under the stars. That’s where stargazing camping comes in, and now is the perfect time to start planning.
National Plan for Vacation Day and the Rise of Nocturnal Tourism
Dark sky tourism, also known as nocturnal tourism, is no longer a niche interest. It’s one of the fastest-growing outdoor travel trends in the U.S., driven by a desire for wellness, wonder, and deeper connection with nature. Research shows that stargazing can reduce stress, promote mindfulness, and help reset natural sleep rhythms—benefits that are hard to come by in everyday life.
Booking.com’s 2025 travel predictions also point to the rise of nocturnal tourism, with travelers intentionally seeking nighttime experiences like moonlit hikes, meteor showers, and star-filled skies. In other words, vacations are frequently more about what happens after sunset.
Why Stargazing Camping Takes Early Planning
Here’s the catch: the best night sky destinations are limited, and they fill up fast.
Campgrounds near national parks, remote public lands, and designated dark sky areas often book months in advance—especially around new moons, meteor showers, and summer weekends. Treat stargazing camping like peak-season travel, because that’s exactly what it’s becoming.
Planning early gives you the freedom to choose better locations, align your trip with lunar cycles, and avoid settling for light-polluted skies.
How to Find Truly Dark Skies
One of the best tools for planning a night sky adventure is DarkSky International. Their DarkSky Places program certifies locations that meet strict standards for minimal light pollution and long-term sky protection.
Using their official Dark Sky places location finder, you can discover:
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Dark Sky Parks
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Dark Sky Communities
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Remote Dark Sky Sanctuaries
These locations are ideal for stargazing camping, especially if you want consistent, jaw-dropping views night after night.
How to Plan an Epic Stargazing Camping Trip
A little preparation goes a long way when the stars are the main attraction.
Choose dates near the new moon for darker skies, or plan a full-moon trip if you love glowing landscapes and late-night visibility. Look for campsites with open horizons and minimal overhead tree cover. And think about comfort—because the longer you stay outside, the more magical the experience becomes.
This is where gear matters. Traditional tents often force you to choose between protection and visibility. Purpose-built stargazing camping setups remove that compromise entirely.
Built in Buena Vista, CO, for Nights Like These
At Sky View Tents, we build our gear in Buena Vista, Colorado, surrounded by some of the darkest skies and highest peaks in the Lower 48. Night sky immersion isn’t a marketing idea for us—it’s our backyard.
Our Sky View XL Stargazing Tent and Sky View Backpacker Stargazing Tent are designed specifically for night-focused adventures. A crystal-clear mesh roof delivers uninterrupted views straight from your sleeping bag, while 360° visibility keeps you connected to your surroundings.
When it’s time to sleep—or weather rolls in—the patent-pending internal rainfly deploys from inside the tent, letting you “turn off the moonlight” without stepping outside.
Plan Now. Sleep Under the Stars Later.
National Plan for Vacation Day is your reminder to think bigger than the usual getaway. Plan a trip where the stars are the headline act, the night lasts longer, and the memories stick with you long after sunrise.
Explore Sky View Tents’ purpose-built stargazing camping tents, lock in your dates early, and start planning a vacation that doesn’t end when the sun goes down.
The universe is waiting—go sleep beneath it. 🌌
[Photo Credit: Stella Lake at Great Basin National Park by Tom Auchter]
