Stargazing

A 20-minute drive outside Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory in New Berlin offers free public observing nights throughout the summer. The society’s astronomers use telescopes in the 3-acre site’s nine observatories to capture photos of everything from planets to nebulas.

About an hour from Madison, visitors at Devil’s Lake State Park can stargaze for an evening or camp to take in the night sky. The Madison Astronomical Society and UW-Madison occasionally host stargazing events on site. Keep in mind the park closes at 11 p.m.

This park is in the running to be Wisconsin’s second International Dark Sky Place, together with the nearby Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area. Park officials recommend stargazing at spots throughout the park, including the upper picnic area observation point and on the aptly named starlight trail.

About a 20-minute drive outside of Eau Claire, visitors will find the twin domes of Hobbs Observatory in the Beaver Creek Reserve. On most clear Saturday evenings from May through October, visitors can join Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society members to peer through telescopes at the observatory. The free observing sessions generally start about 30 minutes after sunset and go for two hours or until 11 p.m., whichever comes first. They also have special programming starting at 8 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.

Big Bay State Park is on Madeline Island, a short ferry ride from Bayfield. It’s on the island’s east side, removed from light pollution. Because of how far north the park is, visitors have reported sightings of the Aurora Borealis.