Highland Park.

The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Highland Park, IL. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.

Bortle Scale
5
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
21.44
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
5
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Highland Park

  • Top Community Pick: Volo Bog (~21.7 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 6.0 at Kemil Beach
  • Local Experts: Northwest Suburban Astronomers
  • Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots

Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near Highland Park, IL? While enthusiasts often gather at Volo Bog for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Kemil Beach provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 6.0. The local landscape of Highland Park offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Highland Park

Since Highland Park sits in a transitional light zone, viewing is best during the New Moon or after midnight when some commercial lighting is reduced.

Expert Tips for Highland Park Observers

Before heading out to Volo Bog, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. Binoculars are a favorite for regulars the site for sweeping views of the Moon’s craters and larger constellations. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.

Local Top Spots

Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Volo Bog

21.7 mi
Distance

" Light snacks and drinks will be available. Light snacks and drinks will be available. "

Ingleside, IL 60041
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Peck Farm Park

32.6 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Geneva, IL 60134
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Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 95%

Modine-Benstead Observatory

39.4 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Union Grove, WI 53182
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 77.5%

Ela Area Public LIbrary

14.3 mi
Distance

" Light snacks and drinks will be available. "

Lake Zurich, IL 60047
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 82.5%

Schoolyard Observatory

27.8 mi
Distance

" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "

Kenosha, WI 53144
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Scientific Audit

NPS Sky Measurements

Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.

Kemil Beach

Indiana Dunes NL

19.88 SQM
Bortle Class 6

"Set up about 50' from the water in a depression in the sand dunes. Local glare from the western most home in the "1933 Century of Progress" homes. Other glare sources from the power plants to the SW and NE along the lakeshore are easily visible but did not saturate the camera sensor. A clear view across Lake Michigan to the Chicago skyline, though clouds and haze never completely cleared away. I suspect the industrial developments from the Port of Indiana all the way around to Chicago has a significant impact on aeresols and local cloud development. Even so, at 35 miles distant, the illuminated buildings of the Chicago skyline were easily visible to the naked eye on this evening. The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features. Was able to see 6.2 LM in Ursa Major (which was over the lake to the darker north)."

Observation Date
7/24/2017
Elevation
179m
Zenith Brightness
20.08

Dune Trail

Sleeping Bear Dunes NL

21.44 SQM
Bortle Class 5

"No clouds, but high moisture in atmosphere is creating poor transparency. Stars are soft, with a ring of moisture visible around bright stars. High airglow apparent. Milky Way just visible, no detials apparent. Travese City light dome dominates the eastern horizon. Reflection of Travese City dome is visible on Glen Lake, further impacting dark adaptation in that direction. Transparency improved over the night, with the best conditions at the end of data collection. Bortle Class would be better under better atmospheric conditions."

Observation Date
10/3/2011
Elevation
237m
Zenith Brightness
21.63

International Dark Sky Parks

Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.

IDA Certified Distance: 12.5 miles

Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

Located 65 kilometers northwest of Chicago, IL, the Village of Hawthorn Woods prides itself as an upscale yet friendly community which places a high value on…

Category
International Dark Sky Community
Certified
2020
Land Area
20.53 km2
Coordinates
42.2170, -88.0495
IDA Certified Distance: 34.8 miles

Palos Preserves

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) is one of our nation’s oldest and largest conservation districts containing nearly 70,000…

Category
Urban Night Sky Place
Certified
2021
Land Area
27.3 km2
Coordinates
41.6789, -87.8437

Local Astronomy Clubs

Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#129

Northwest Suburban Astronomers

Hoffman Estates, IL

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#267

Lake County Astronomical Society

Ingleside, IL