06/23/2026
Inn the Area: Bare Dark Sky Observatory ✨
Trade the city lights for a sky full of stars at Bare Dark Sky Observatory, located within the Mayland Earth to Sky Park. Home to one of the largest public telescopes in the Southeast, this International Dark Sky Park offers an unforgettable look at the night sky high above the Blue Ridge Mountains.
During Community Viewing Nights, guests can observe planets, stars, and the moon through the observatory’s impressive telescopes while learning from on-site astronomers. If mountain weather rolls in, programs move indoors to the planetarium for an equally immersive experience.
Tickets are required in advance, and cool mountain evenings call for cozy layers, closed-toed shoes, and a flashlight in hand. A perfect evening adventure after a day spent exploring the mountains.
📸: Mayland Earth to Sky Park