North Fort Lewis
Stargazing Guide.
Just 28.7 miles from the center of North Fort Lewis, lies some of the region's best viewing at Covington Community Park. We feature instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to guarantee the most accurate sky quality data.
Stargazing Logistics for North Fort Lewis
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Covington Community Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~28.7 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Burroughs Mountain as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Tacoma Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near North Fort Lewis offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
North Fort Lewis is positioned in a strategic 'Starlight Corridor.' It is far enough from the WA metro glare to allow for deep-sky imaging, yet serves as a convenient staging area for the deeper Class 4 skies found at Burroughs Mountain.
The Best Times for Stargazing in North Fort Lewis
For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in North Fort Lewis. This is when local industrial lighting and residential 'sky glow' is at its minimum, and the most prominent Winter constellations are directly overhead at the zenith.
Expert Tips for North Fort Lewis Observers
Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near North Fort Lewis, looking slightly to the side of a faint nebula will reveal much more detail than looking directly at it, especially when dealing with the Class 5+ suburban skies of the WA region. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Burroughs Mountain (45.7 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in North Fort Lewis
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 North Fort Lewis spots to preserve your night vision.
Covington Community Park
" Heading out from North Fort Lewis toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
Paramount School Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from North Fort Lewis, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from North Fort Lewis, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Pack some snacks for the drive from North Fort Lewis; this destination is a justified detour. Scientific Fact: Around 3 AM, the atmosphere is usually most stable, offering the 'steadiest seeing' for high-magnification planetary views. "
Big Rock Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from North Fort Lewis, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. 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. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for North Fort Lewis
Rural conditions near North Fort Lewis provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for North Fort Lewis
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, North Fort Lewis observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
North Fort Lewis enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"High Cirrus to North West"
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Plummer Peak provide North Fort Lewis residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"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."
Dark Sky Oasis near North Fort Lewis
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Planning a trip to a nearby Dark Sky Park? Ensure your kit is ready by viewing our staged observer advice below.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
North Fort Lewis stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
As one of the closest certified environments to North Fort Lewis, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for North Fort Lewis
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 Desert Specialist profile.
Gearing Up for North Fort Lewis Nights
"For the extended excursion from North Fort Lewis, prioritize "travel-ready" optics. A 4.5-inch reflector or 70mm refractor provides the perfect balance of discovery power and trunk-space efficiency."
The North Fort Lewis Field Kit
Every observer in North Fort Lewis eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. With Covington Community Park sitting at a ~29-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near North Fort Lewis.