Hoquiam.

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

Bortle Scale
4
Best Regional Reading
Sky Quality
21.35
SQM Zenith Value
Verified Sites
3
Community Vetted
Dark Sky Parks
2
IDA Certified Nearby

Quick Guide for Hoquiam

  • Top Community Pick: Pierce College Ft Steilacoom (~63.9 miles)
  • Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 4.0 at Obstruction Point
  • Local Experts: Tacoma Astronomical Society
  • Verified Observations: 3 distinct spots

If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Hoquiam, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at Pierce College Ft Steilacoom for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Obstruction Point provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 4.0. The local landscape of Hoquiam offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Hoquiam

For the best results in Hoquiam, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.

Expert Tips for Hoquiam Observers

Before heading out to Pierce College Ft Steilacoom, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. Binoculars are a favorite for regulars this location 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.

Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 75%

Pierce College Ft Steilacoom

63.9 mi
Distance

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

Lakewood, WA 98498
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Active Viewing Spot Confidence: 72.5%

Sasquatch Family Farms

62.6 mi
Distance

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

Toledo, WA 98591
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Documented Location Confidence: 37.5%

University of Puget Sound - Thompson Hall Rm 193

71.1 mi
Distance

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

Tacoma, WA 98416
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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.

Obstruction Point

Olympic NP

21.35 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"Transparency remarkably good after yesterday's fire smoke, seeing very good. Few high clouds to the west and north, remnants of fire smoke to the northeast. Direct glare from many very bright lights on Vancouver Island and a few Port Angeles lights, otherwise the high ridges of the Olympic Mountains effectively block any other glare from the Puget Sound area. After moon sets, the zenith is quite dark with the Cygnus Milky Way very detailed, but a broad and fairly bright light dome toward Seattle and Puget Sound dominates the eastern sky. Excellent site for monitoring. 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."

Observation Date
9/23/2009
Elevation
1969m
Zenith Brightness
21.4

Plummer Peak

Mount Rainier NP

21.09 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"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."

Observation Date
9/23/2005
Elevation
1940m
Zenith Brightness
20.98

International Dark Sky Parks

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

IDA Certified Distance: 195.7 miles

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a scenic and tranquil state park in North Central Oregon. Spanning over 16,000 acres of public land, Oregon’s second-largest…

Category
International Dark Sky Park
Certified
2024
Land Area
65 Sq. Km
Coordinates
45.4699, -120.4426
IDA Certified Distance: 209.5 miles

Antelope, Oregon

Located in the upper Antelope Valley of north-central Oregon, the city of Antelope lies along an ancient route connecting the John Day watershed to the Great…

Category
International Dark Sky Community
Certified
2024
Land Area
1.19 Sq. Km
Coordinates
44.9105, -120.7227

Local Astronomy Clubs

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

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#9

Tacoma Astronomical Society

Tacoma, WA

NASA Night Sky Club ID
#140

Olympic Astronomical Society

Bremerton, WA