Tired of spending the dog days of summer hiding inside from the heat, or the dark nights of winter gazing out a frosty window? When the sun goes down, we love adventuring outdoors for a bit of stargazing.

Here are a few spots to observe celestial phenomena around Indy and beyond.

Indianapolis

Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St. | This park on the northwestern outskirts of the city is the largest in Indianapolis. With ~3,900 acres of land, it offers lots of green space by day + some protection from light pollution by night. The park is generally open from dawn to dusk, depending on time of year, but occasionally it hosts stargazing events. Check its Facebook page.
Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, 4600 Sunset Ave. | This Butler University building one of the largest public observatories in the world — housing a 38-inch Cassegrain reflector, in addition to smaller telescopes and a fully immersive digital planetarium. It offers weekend public tours when school is in session, or you can schedule a private group tour.

Stargazing at McCloud Nature Park in June 2023. | Photo by @yodazeke

Within ~1 hour of Indianapolis

McCloud Nature Park, 8518 Hughes Rd., North Salem | This nature park offers 232 acres of land, featuring hiking trails, year-round nature center programs, an art gallery, and a historic iron bridge. The park has become a popular spot to escape city light pollution by partnering with the Indiana Astronomical Society to hold monthly sky seminars + viewings — the next is on Saturday, June 20.

Worth the drive

Turkey Run State Park | Indiana's second state park consists of ~2,382 acres and 14+ miles of hiking trails nestled along State Road 47. It's open until 11 p.m. daily and occasionally hosts a Planetarium Program at the Nature Center to explore constellations and the stories attached to them.
Indiana Dunes National Park | Plan a weekend camping getaway among the 15,000-acre swath of sand dunes just south of Lake Michigan — one of Indiana’s greatest natural treasures + an ideal spot for stargazing.