Bothell East
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Bothell East, WA. From the verified horizons at Paramount School Park to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Obstruction Point, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Bothell East
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~8.2 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Obstruction Point as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Seattle Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Bothell East offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Bothell East acts as a primary gateway to the Paramount School Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Obstruction Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Bothell East
Observation in Bothell East is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Pacific region often result in significantly higher transparency, allowing you to see objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula with much more definition.
Expert Tips for Bothell East Observers
Thermal equilibrium is key. Since Bothell East temperatures can shift rapidly after sunset, allow your telescope mirrors at least 45 minutes to 'cool down' before attempting high-magnification work at Paramount School Park. This prevents 'tube currents' from blurring your view of Jupiter or Saturn. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (56.1 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Bothell East
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Bothell East spots to preserve your night vision.
Paramount School Park
" Practically in Bothell East's backyard, we recommend this for spontaneous nights. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" Just a quick dash for Bothell East residents, this location offers great convenience. Park in the lower lot near the street. If that lot is full please park in the lot as far from the middle field as you can with your headlights facing away from the fields. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Bothell East observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Heading out from Bothell East toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Sky Contrast Tip: To see the Milky Way, wait for the Moon to go below the horizon; even a 25% crescent Moon can wash out the faintest nebulae. "
Covington Community Park
" Bothell East observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Bothell East
Rural conditions near Bothell East provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Bothell East
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Discover which telescopes can best cut through the remaining regional skyglow to see these scientific targets by viewing our gear recommendations.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Bothell East, Obstruction Point serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Perhaps an area 30 degrees in diameter near the zenith offers reasonable visual observations. Otherwise the sky is very modified by light pollution. ZLM 6.9 with difficulty, the eastern sky must be shielded by the ridgetop to achieve this as it definitely affects scotopic vision. The treeless ridge is easy to navigate by the light of the sky. Milky Way easily seen near the zenith,but loses its character rapidly approaching the horizon. Fog appears to move in in early morning through the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the northern Puget Sound area, suppressing light pollution and significantly improving the sky quality."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
Bothell East enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Redoubt - American Camp to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Class 4. Hazy, fog to the south, high humidity, seeing very good, transparency fair. Sky at 30 degrees altitude and lower much poorer than other parts, airglow cannot be discerned because of light domes and haze. No Zodiacal light, even in AM. Evening hours better, Cygnus milky way at Zenith well displayed but later the entire band looks washed out. Dark adaptation difficult. Port Angeles and Port Townsend visible in early evening, lost in fog late. Puget Sound light dome subdued, Victoria light dome bright but cut off vertically to the south, presumably because of fog. Data sets 1-3 OK, 4th has problem with wire pulling out of camera, no good."
Dark Sky Oasis near Bothell East
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Certified dark skies like these are most rewarding when paired with the right aperture. Check out our suggested kit for Bothell East observers.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Bothell East observing community.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
The protected skies at Antelope, Oregon represent a vital astronomical asset for the Bothell East observing community.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Bothell East
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Don't show up to the club dark-site empty-handed. View the field kit we've curated for the The Desert Specialist profile.
Gearing Up for Bothell East Nights
"Since deep darkness at sites like the local staging areas is less than a 15-minute dash from Bothell East, you can justify using heavier, high-aperture telescopes that would be a hassle to transport long distances."
The Bothell East Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Bothell East requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. Since Paramount School Park offers a specific Class 4 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.