A mere 293 kilometers from the big-city lights of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, exceptional darkness and a dome of stars envelop this wooded wilderness perched at an elevation of 700 meters. A clearing among the park’s namesake cherry trees, the Astronomy Observation Field attracts telescope-toting star watchers from all over the Eastern U.S. Registration and a fee are necessary to access the field, but the Night Sky Viewing Area, opposite from the field, requires neither. In optimum viewing conditions, the Milky Way galaxy shines so bright as to cast your shadow on the ground. Meteor showers, such as the Perseids in August, and the park’s popular events draw large crowds.A mere 293 kilometers from the big-city lights of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, exceptional darkness and a dome of stars envelop this wooded wilderness perched at an elevation of 700 meters. A clearing among the park’s namesake cherry trees, the Astronomy Observation Field attracts telescope-toting star watchers from all over the Eastern U.S. Registration and a fee are necessary to access the field, but the Night Sky Viewing Area, opposite from the field, requires neither. In optimum viewing conditions, the Milky Way galaxy shines so bright as to cast your shadow on the ground. Meteor showers, such as the Perseids in August, and the park’s popular events draw large crowds.

Inside the Susquehannock State Forest is a dark spot. An area with no artificial light pollution, it is a haven for east coast astronomers. Cleaved off from the Susquehannock in 1922, the 48-acre park grew back from its near-obliteration due to clear-cutting. In 2000, it was named a Dark Sky Park by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and in 2007 was the second place added to the International Dark Sky Association’s register of “International Dark Sky Parks.” Since acquiring the nearby Cherry Springs Airport in 2006, the area is so dark at night that, under ideal conditions, the Milky Way casts a visible shadow.

Cherry Springs State Park is nearly as remote and wild today as it was two centuries ago. Its dark skies make it a haven for astronomers. Named for the large stands of black cherry trees in the park, the 82-acre state park is surrounded by the 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. The Susquehanna Trail passes nearby and offers 85 miles of backpacking and hiking.Due to its exceptionally dark skies, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing and the science of astronomy. The viewing field is located at the top of a 2,300-foot high mountain and the surrounding state forest is relatively undeveloped. With all nearby communities sitting in valleys, any light that might affect the park is uniquely shielded making it a great place for 360 degree views of the night sky.In 2008, Cherry Springs State Park attained a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park certification from the International Dark Sky Association in 2008. Cherry Springs was, in fact, the second International Dark Sky Park in the world. The International Dark-Skies Association and its partners certify locations with exceptional nightscapes as International Dark Sky Parks. These locations serve as reminders that with quality outdoor lighting, the extraordinary wonders of the nighttime sky and night environment are just as much a part of our lifestyle and history as are the daylight hours. In fact, without the inspiration and wonders of the nighttime environment much of the world's history, art, culture, music, and literature might not have been created

Named for the many cherry trees in the park, Cherry Springs State Park is surrounded by Susquehannock State Forest, which helps shield it from outside lights. For a site on the eastern seaboard, it’s unusually dark at night. Carry a telescope or binoculars for star-watching, or simply enjoy the view with your naked eyes. This park offers programs to the public every August, during the Perseids Meteor Shower, and sometimes hosts other starry events.

Cherry Springs State Park is an 82-acre Pennsylvania state park in Potter County, Pennsylvania, United States. The park was created from land within the Susquehannock State Forest, and is on Pennsylvania Route 44 in West Branch Township. Cherry Springs, named for a large stand of Black Cherry trees in the park, is atop the dissected Allegheny Plateau at an elevation of 2,300 feet. It is popular with astronomers and stargazers for having "some of the darkest night skies on the east coast" of the United States, and was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and its Bureau of Parks as one of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks". The earliest recorded inhabitants of the area were the Susquehannocks, followed by the Seneca nation, who hunted there. The first settlement within the park was a log tavern built in 1818 along a trail; the trail became a turnpike by 1834 and a hotel replaced the tavern in 1874, then burned in 1897. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the old-growth forests were clearcut; the state forest was established in 1901 and contains second growth woodlands. "Cherry Springs Scenic Drive" was established in 1922, and the Civilian Conservation Corps built much of Cherry Springs State Park during the Great Depression, including a picnic pavilion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An annual "Woodsmen's Show" has been held in the park each August since 1952. Cherry Springs State Park was named Pennsylvania's first dark sky park by the DCNR in 2000. The adjoining Cherry Springs Airport, built in 1935, was closed and its land was added to the park in 2006, to expand its stargazing area. On June 11, 2007, the International Dark-Sky Association named it the second "International Dark Sky Park"; under optimum conditions the Milky Way casts a discernible shadow. Cherry Springs has received national press coverage and hosts two star parties a year, which attract hundreds of astronomers. There are regular stargazing and educational programs for the public at the park, and the Woodsmen's Show attracts thousands each summer. Cherry Springs also offers rustic camping, picnic facilities, and trails for mountain biking, hiking, and snowmobiling. The surrounding state forest and park are home to a variety of flora and fauna. Plan to visit Cherry Springs State Park during your Coudersport vacation using our convenient Coudersport day trip planning app.

Arguably the darkest skies on the East Coast! Visit during a star party and look into a telescope and see neighboring galaxies! The word about Cherry Springs is getting out! If you're planning a trip, make sure you have a campsite reserved online or a place to stay, because you will be up all night - there are a few cabins and small motels within a half hour drive if you're not crazy about camping or all the sites are reserved.If you're going to see the Milky Way for the first time, the best time to visit is during a new moon - you'll have completely dark skies. If you go during a full moon, or a moon-lit evening, you will still get an awesome view of more stars you've ever seen in your life!The low down is this: you have two areas to stargaze, the long-term and short-term star gazing. These areas are simply across the street from each other. The long-term camping area restricts you from using any white light at night, and you're not allowed to enter or exit the area after dark - you're literally gated in. You can camp here, but it's a little pricey. You can also walk to either viewing area at anytime.The short-term camping area is my personal favorite. You are a MAYBE 2 minute walk from your campsite. This area is a huge open field with an amphitheater to view the darkest skies in the Eastern US. The parking lot is a very short walk away and you're welcome to arrive and depart at your discretion! They have erected some grassy hills around the field to keep any car lights from disturbing your night-adjusted eyes! There are not any light restrictions in this area and you have a ton of free-roaming area to photograph, walk around or just have a romantic evening with your lady friend.The BEST time to go is during one of their Star Parties! Amateur astronomers from all over the country bring out their big telescopes and allow you to look through them and most are happy to educate you on the nebula, stars or even galaxies you're seeing! I ended up at a Star Party one year and the setup was amazing! There was a food truck with hot chocolate set up and people everywhere! Great time to visit with a family!! Check the events tab on their website!As a heads up, you WILL need red lights or red cellophane for these evenings, white light is restricted in the long-term star gazing area.