Edgewood
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Edgewood area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Covington Community Park with professional NPS sky reports at Burroughs Mountain for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Edgewood
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Covington Community Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~12.7 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Burroughs Mountain as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Galileo Astronomy Unclub for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Edgewood offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Edgewood acts as a primary gateway to the Covington Community Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Burroughs Mountain just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Edgewood
For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in Edgewood. This is when local industrial lighting and residential 'sky glow' is at its minimum, and the most prominent Winter constellations are directly overhead at the zenith.
Expert Tips for Edgewood Observers
Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near Edgewood, looking slightly to the side of a faint nebula will reveal much more detail than looking directly at it, especially when dealing with the Class 5+ suburban skies of the WA region. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Burroughs Mountain (36.1 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Edgewood
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 Edgewood spots to preserve your night vision.
Covington Community Park
" Practically in Edgewood's backyard, we recommend this for spontaneous nights. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Edgewood 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
" Edgewood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Equipment Logic: Small aperture telescopes are actually more resilient to localized heat currents than large ones on suburban nights. "
Paramount School Park
" Edgewood observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" A manageable drive from Edgewood, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. 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. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Edgewood
Rural conditions near Edgewood provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Edgewood
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.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Edgewood enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"High Cirrus to North West"
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Edgewood enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Plummer Peak to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Plummer Peak in Mount Rainier NP on 9/23/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.09 SQM."
Dark Sky Oasis near Edgewood
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 Edgewood observers.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
As one of the closest certified environments to Edgewood, Cottonwood Canyon State Park offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
As one of the closest certified environments to Edgewood, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Edgewood
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 Celestial Photographer profile.
Gearing Up for Edgewood Nights
"Because you're heading just outside the Edgewood light dome, ensure your kit includes a dedicated "dew shield" to protect your optics from the humidity shifts found in the transitions between urban and rural zones."
The Edgewood Field Kit
Every observer in Edgewood eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. With Covington Community Park sitting at a ~13-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near Edgewood.