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No need to spend the last days of summer hiding inside from the heat, or the dark nights of winter gazing out a frosty window. Instead, we suggest an activity that gets you out after the sun goes down — we’re talking about stargazing.
Here are a few spots to observe celestial phenomena around Indy and beyond.
Indianapolis
- Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St. | This park, located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, is the largest park in Indianapolis. With ~3,900 acres of land, the park 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 online or its Facebook page.
- Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, 4600 Sunset Ave. | Holcomb Observatory at Butler University is 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 sky seminars + viewings on Saturday nights.
Worth the drive
- Turkey Run State Park, 8121 Park Rd., Marshall | Turkey Run is Indiana’s second state park, with ~2,382 acres and 14+ miles of hiking trails nestled along State Road 47. The park is open until 11 p.m. daily and occasionally hosts a Planetarium Program at the Nature Center to explore constellations and hear stories attached to them.
- Indiana Dunes National Park | Indiana Dunes is the perfect destination for a weekend camping getaway. The 15,000-acre swath of sand dunes just south of Lake Michigan is one of Indiana’s greatest natural treasures + an ideal spot for stargazing.
