I have this night ritual I carry out whenever I am in Florida. I enjoy staring at the dark sky and watch the stars and moon move for a better part of the night.
The rate of light pollution is high in Florida, so it is difficult to get a perfect location for stargazing there.
If seeing thenight sky in Florida is your problem, this is the right place. Possibly you have not seen an unblemished night sky before, you have missed a lot.
You may not be living in a mega city, but the light from your neighborhood, such as street lamps, will not give you a good view of the night sky.
Where can you see the milky way in Florida? The most unscientific answer is to go as far away as possible from the city. The closer you get to nature, the better for you. The winter month is a good time you can see stars in Florida, with clear skies.
Anytime you do, you stand the chance of seeking many stars. If all other conditions are in place, you may see planets and celestial bodies. Without a telescope, you may even see the Milky Way.
Appreciating the stars is not only for astronomers. Many of us do not take the night sky for anything, but I wish you could go to Florida to stargaze. You will not forget the beauty and brilliance of the stars you will see in your lifetime.
Unfortunately, light pollution has become a major issue in Florida. It is worst in the heavily populated cities of the state.
However, there is a place that is dark at night in Florida where you will see the sky the way you wish.
You can camp there for some days if you wish. The place is very isolated, so you will be as close to nature as possible. It is one of the best places in Florida where you may even see the Milky Way.
Where is the best place to see the Milky Way in Florida?
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is the best place to see the Milky Way in Florida. The park is located about 25 miles north of Lake Okeechobee.
You will see it on the southern side of Kissimmee, one of Florida’s prettiest state parks.
The park has a vast area of grasslands with bison and horses. It is among the best palaces you can go stargazing in Florida.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park made it to the list of Dark Sky Designations in 2016 by the International Dark Sky Association.
It is the only park in Florida that received the award. The Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is a perfect destination for stargazing.
Notwithstanding that every State Park closes in the evening, you can still see the night sky anyhow.
You can book a reservation for a campsite if you want to spend the night there, and you can also book a reservation for an astronomy pad site.
An after-hours permit is reserved for those with the Florida State Parks Family Annual Pass. The holders are the only people permitted access to the park’s common-use areas after dark. They walk straight to the ranger’s office to sign up for the permit.
One of the nice places you can go stargazing in Florida is the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Observing the sunset from this park is a wonderful experience.
Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory
You cannot talk about the Space Coast without mentioning theKennedy Space Center and rocket launches. The Space Coast is another place in Florida that is good for stargazing.
You will see the Astronaut, Memorial Planetarium, and Observatory at Brevard County. Brevard County is a small town in Cocoa, but not Cocoa Beach. The general public is free to go to the Brevard Astronomical Society for stargazing.
You can watch a planetarium star show on one of the weekend nights. At night, find your way to the rooftop observatory to have a first-hand view of the stars.
You can observe the stars there with your optical eyes or one of the biggest telescopes in Florida. You can see other planets like Venus and Mars from there. You can also see the Orion Nebula, a new cluster of stars in formation.
St. George Island
St. George Island is located between Panama City Beach and Tallahassee. The Island has many beaches where families come for fun. At night stargazers turn the beaches into a stargazing center.
St. George Island State Park is one of the most beautiful islands on Florida’s forgotten coast. The park has little light pollution. The probability of you seeing a real dark sky from there is high.
I consider a spot on the panhandle the best stargazing location in Florida.
There is an ongoing negotiation between the park’s management and the International Dark Sky Association for recognition of this Island as the second Dark Sky Park in Florida.
If you want to go stargazing there, you must book your accommodation in advance because the park closes 15 minutes after sunset.
You can go to Reserve America to book a campsite reservation in advance or go to the ranger’s office to get an after-hours permit for stargazing.
The shore of St. George Island always has nice waves washing up on it. It is one of the best stargazing places in Florida.
Santa Fe River
If stargazing is an outdoor boring activity, do not worry, we have an alternative for you. Have you thought about stargazing as you paddle one of the best kayaking trails in Florida?
The Santa Fe River is located in the beautiful town of High Springs, very close to Gainesville.
The river is a unique waterway. Before it gets to River Rise Preserve State Park, from O’Leno State Park the river flows underground, through a complicated cave.
The outpost of Santa Fe Canoe is located here. It is possible to take a kayak out of High Springs through Santa Fe River’s dark sky. As you enjoy the moonlight, you will be watching the stars.
You have nothing to worry about if you are not interested in kayaking and canoeing.
You can always rent a campground site at O’Leno State Park or River Rise Preserve State Park. You can approach the ranger’s office to get the after-hours permit.
FAQs
Where is the best place in Florida to see the stars?
If you are in Florida and you want to go stargazing, go to the Everglades. The park is far from the developed cities so its dark skies are good for stargazing.
You may be camping or just on a night visit to Florida, be sure to view the night sky from there with ease.
When can You see the Milky Way in Florida?
February to October is the Milky Way season, and the ideal time to view the Milky Way. This is best between 00:00 and 5:00 during the new moon.
Can you see the Milky Way from Central Florida?
If you want to view the Milky Way, go to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. It is the best place to achieve that.