Lake Stickney
Stargazing Guide.

Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Lake Stickney, 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.

Scientific NPS Bortle Regional Benchmarking
4
~52.2mi at Obstruction Point
Scientific NPS SQM Instrumented Reading
21.35
Regional Atmospheric Base
Verified Spots Community Vetted
5
~9.0mi to Paramount School Park
Dark Sky Oasis Certified IDA Park
187.0mi
IDA: Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Stargazing Logistics for Lake Stickney

  • STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~9.0 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 Everett Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
  • STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Lake Stickney offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Local Observation Strategy

Lake Stickney 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 Lake Stickney

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

Expert Tips for Lake Stickney Observers

If you're visiting Paramount School Park, 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 WA during the peak viewing seasons. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (52.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.

Regional Perspective: Lake Stickney is situated just 3.3 miles from Mukilteo, but its local horizon often provides a more stable viewing experience for planetary targets.
Community Vetted
Methodology Verified

Best Spots for Stargazing in Lake Stickney

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 Lake Stickney environment.

Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Paramount School Park

9 mi
Distance

" Just a quick dash for Lake Stickney residents, this location offers great convenience. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "

Shoreline, WA 98155
Get Directions
Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Big Rock Park

15.6 mi
Distance

" Lake Stickney observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. 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. "

Duvall, WA 98019
Get Directions
Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Snoqualmie Point Park

31.1 mi
Distance

" Lake Stickney 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. "

Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Get Directions
Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead

31.1 mi
Distance

" Lake Stickney observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Veteran Pro-Tip: Avoid using your phone's white screen. Even with low brightness, it resets your eye's Rhodopsin levels instantly. "

Snoqualmie, WA 98045
Premier Verified Hub Confidence: 100%

Covington Community Park

35.8 mi
Distance

" A manageable drive from Lake Stickney, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "

Covington, WA 98042
Get Directions
Celestial Alert
Real-Time Tracking

2026 Celestial Roadmap for Lake Stickney

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

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Instrumented Data

Sky Quality Reports for Lake Stickney

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

52.2 mi
Distance
21.35 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

For observers in Lake Stickney, Obstruction Point serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.

"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

Redoubt - American Camp

San Juan Island NHP

53.7 mi
Distance
21.12 SQM
Bortle Class 4

Local Relevance

For observers in Lake Stickney, Redoubt - American Camp serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.

"Light domes all around, Victoria brightest and largest. 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."

Observation Date
8/17/2012
Elevation
62m
Zenith Brightness
21.13
Certified Destinations

Dark Sky Oasis near Lake Stickney

Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Experience the full, pristine depth of these IDA certified skies with the precision stargazing gear we recommend for Lake Stickney residents.

International Dark Sky Park Certified

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

The protected skies at Cottonwood Canyon State Park represent a vital astronomical asset for the Lake Stickney observing community.

99989 Highway 206

Scale
65 Sq. Km
Coordinates
45.4699, -120.4426
International Dark Sky Community Certified

Antelope, Oregon

As one of the closest certified environments to Lake Stickney, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.

94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001

Scale
1.19 Sq. Km
Coordinates
44.9105, -120.7227
Community Hubs

Astronomy Clubs for Lake Stickney

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.

NASA Club ID
#172
10.1 mi
Distance

Everett Astronomical Society

Everett, WA

NASA Club ID
#487
15.4 mi
Distance

Seattle Astronomical Society

Seattle, WA

The Celestial Photographer's Staging Advice

Gearing Up for Lake Stickney Nights

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

The Lake Stickney Field Kit

When observing near Lake Stickney, the local atmospheric stability and the immediate access to verified hubs are your primary logistical factors. The difference between the Lake Stickney city center and the instrumented readings at sites 9 miles away is staggering, requiring optics that can handle both glare and deep contrast. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.

Level 1: EssentialsLevel 2: OpticsLevel 3: Power