Mukilteo
Stargazing Guide.
Just 10.7 miles from the center of Mukilteo, lies some of the region's best viewing at Paramount School Park. We feature instrumented readings from Obstruction Point to guarantee the most accurate sky quality data.
Stargazing Logistics for Mukilteo
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Paramount School Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~10.7 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 Mukilteo offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Mukilteo 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 Mukilteo
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Mukilteo, wait for the 4-day window surrounding the New Moon each month for the deepest contrast. Since the sun sets early in the late Winter months, you can often begin deep-sky imaging as early as 7 PM.
Expert Tips for Mukilteo Observers
When observing from Paramount School Park, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Mukilteo residents, this usually means looking toward the rural horizons of WA to capture the lowest magnitude stars that are normally invisible from the city center. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Obstruction Point (49.9 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Mukilteo
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 Mukilteo spots to preserve your night vision.
Paramount School Park
" Just a quick dash for Mukilteo residents, this location offers great convenience. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" A manageable drive from Mukilteo, 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. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" A manageable drive from Mukilteo, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Heading out from Mukilteo toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Scientific Fact: Around 3 AM, the atmosphere is usually most stable, offering the 'steadiest seeing' for high-magnification planetary views. "
Covington Community Park
" Mukilteo observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Mukilteo
Rural conditions near Mukilteo provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Mukilteo
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
Local Relevance
Mukilteo enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Obstruction Point to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"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."
Redoubt - American Camp
San Juan Island NHP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Redoubt - American Camp provide Mukilteo residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Evening hours better, Cygnus milky way at Zenith well displayed but later the entire band looks washed out. Dark adaptation difficult. Port Angeles and Port Townsend visible in early evening, lost in fog late. Puget Sound light dome subdued, Victoria light dome bright but cut off vertically to the south, presumably because of fog. Data sets 1-3 OK, 4th has problem with wire pulling out of camera, no good. 5th incomplete and no good."
Dark Sky Oasis near Mukilteo
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 Mukilteo observers.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
As one of the closest certified environments to Mukilteo, 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 Mukilteo, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Mukilteo
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 Deep Sky Hunter profile.
Gearing Up for Mukilteo Nights
"Staging for a night near Mukilteo requires a balance of power and portability. Consider 10x50 binoculars as a primary scouting tool while your main telescope acclimates to the cooler rural air."
The Mukilteo Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Mukilteo requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. Since Paramount School Park offers a specific Class 4 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.