Ocean Shores
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Ocean Shores, WA. From the verified horizons at Sasquatch Family Farms to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Obstruction Point, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Ocean Shores
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Sasquatch Family Farms. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~71.8 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 Tacoma Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 1 recognized sites near Ocean Shores offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
As a regional observation basecamp, Ocean Shores offers the essential amenities needed before heading into the isolated darkness of Obstruction Point. It marks the transition where the suburban light dome finally gives way to the true wilderness sky.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Ocean Shores
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Ocean Shores, 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 Ocean Shores Observers
When observing from Sasquatch Family Farms, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Ocean Shores 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 (75.1 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Ocean Shores
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 Ocean Shores spots to preserve your night vision.
Sasquatch Family Farms
" While it's a bit of a journey from Ocean Shores, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Sky Contrast Tip: To see the Milky Way, wait for the Moon to go below the horizon; even a 25% crescent Moon can wash out the faintest nebulae. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Ocean Shores
Rural conditions near Ocean Shores provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Ocean Shores
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Seeing the faint magnitude targets listed in these NPS readings often requires the specific gear we've staged for Ocean Shores nights in our observer field kit.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Ocean Shores, 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."
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Ocean Shores enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Plummer Peak to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"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 Ocean Shores
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 Ocean Shores residents.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Ocean Shores 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 Ocean Shores, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Ocean Shores
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 Solar System Guide profile.
Gearing Up for Ocean Shores Nights
"As an expeditionary observer leaving Ocean Shores for isolated dark skies, power management is your priority. Since these sites are often off-grid, bring a portable power station to keep your tracking motors or heated dew bands running all night."
The Ocean Shores Field Kit
When observing near Ocean Shores, the local atmospheric stability and the commute time to isolated zones are your primary logistical factors. The difference between the Ocean Shores city center and the instrumented readings at sites 72 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.