Kingsland
Stargazing Guide.

Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Kingsland, GA. From the verified horizons at verified local spots to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Apollo #5, your journey to the stars starts here.

Scientific NPS Bortle Regional Benchmarking
4
~146.9mi at Apollo #5
Scientific NPS SQM Instrumented Reading
20.81
Regional Atmospheric Base
Verified Spots Community Vetted
0
~0.0mi to verified local spots
Dark Sky Oasis Certified IDA Park
38.2mi
IDA: Stephen C. Foster State Park

Stargazing Logistics for Kingsland

  • STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: verified local spots. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~0.0 mile radius.
  • STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Apollo #5 as your technical benchmark for the region.
  • STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Northeast Florida Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
  • STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 0 recognized sites near Kingsland offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Local Observation Strategy

Kingsland acts as a primary gateway to the verified local spots zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Apollo #5 just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Kingsland

In GA, the transitional periods of early Winter often provide a stable atmosphere between weather fronts. For Kingsland residents, this means less 'star twinkling' (scintillation) and a significantly steadier view for high-magnification planetary observation.

Expert Tips for Kingsland Observers

If you're visiting verified local spots, bring a pack of chemical hand-warmers and rubber-band them to your eyepiece or camera lens. This acts as a 'budget' dew heater, which is essential for the humid nights often found in GA during the peak viewing seasons. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Apollo #5 (146.9 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.

Regional Perspective: If you're traveling from Yulee, the 15.7-mile trip to Kingsland is a justified detour for anyone seeking slightly clearer atmospheric 'seeing'.
Community Vetted
Methodology Verified

Best Spots for Stargazing in Kingsland

The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Max out your local session by using the essential observer gear staged for the Kingsland environment.

Celestial Alert
Real-Time Tracking

2026 Celestial Roadmap for Kingsland

Rural conditions near Kingsland provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.

Swipe
Instrumented Data

Sky Quality Reports for Kingsland

Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Kingsland observers should check our recommended optics kit.

Apollo #5

Canaveral NS

146.9 mi
Distance
20.81 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

The scientific findings at Apollo #5 provide Kingsland residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.

"Set up in the middle of parking area at Apollo #5. Lots of fire smoke during the day and into the evening from wildfire to the SW towards Orlando. Smoke visible throughout the evening along the horizon from the north to the west and south."

Observation Date
3/15/2018
Elevation
5m
Zenith Brightness
21.12

Stafford Air Strip

Cumberland Island NS

15.5 mi
Distance
20.54 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

For observers in Kingsland, Stafford Air Strip serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.

"Numerous feral horses grazing nearby, though they did not seem interested in the equipment. This site provides a great location for stagazing, as the nearby light domes from communities and the Navy base are mostly blocked by the surrounding forest. Given the size of the cleared area around the landing strip, the tree line only extends to about 5 degrees above the natural horizon. For the nearby campground, this is an excellent area for visitors to enjoy the night sky. The light dome from Jacksonville is very prominent to the south and the Naval Submarine base also brightens the sky to the SW. The smoke from the previous days burning at the Navy base had subsided and the skies were very clear."

Observation Date
3/9/2018
Elevation
10m
Zenith Brightness
20.86
Certified Destinations

Dark Sky Oasis near Kingsland

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 Kingsland observers.

Dark Sky Park Certified

Stephen C. Foster State Park

The protected skies at Stephen C. Foster State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Kingsland observing community.

17515 Hwy. 177 Fargo, GA 31631 USA

Scale
0.32 km2
Coordinates
30.8232, -82.3648
Dark Sky Community Certified

Groveland, Florida

Kingsland stargazers often look to Groveland, Florida as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.

156 S Lake Avenue Groveland Florida 34736

Scale
71.2 km2
Coordinates
28.5602, -81.8561
Community Hubs

Astronomy Clubs for Kingsland

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 Planetary Expert profile.

NASA Club ID
#49
33.9 mi
Distance

Northeast Florida Astronomical Society

Jacksonville, FL

NASA Club ID
#633
71.7 mi
Distance

Ancient City Astronomy Club

St Augustine, FL

The Planetary Expert's Staging Advice

Gearing Up for Kingsland Nights

"Since deep darkness at sites like the local staging areas is less than a 15-minute dash from Kingsland, you can justify using heavier, high-aperture telescopes that would be a hassle to transport long distances."

The Kingsland Field Kit

Designing a field kit for Kingsland requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With verified local spots sitting at a ~0-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.

Level 1: EssentialsLevel 2: OpticsLevel 3: Power