Ocean Shores.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Ocean Shores, WA. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Ocean Shores
- Top Community Pick: Sasquatch Family Farms (~71.8 miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 4.0 at Obstruction Point
- Local Experts: Tacoma Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 1 distinct spots
Stargazing in Ocean Shores is surprisingly rewarding if you know exactly where to set up your tripod. While enthusiasts often gather at Sasquatch Family Farms for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Obstruction Point provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 4.0. Atmospheric stability in the Ocean Shores region is often influenced by local topography, which can help settle the air for high-magnification viewing.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Ocean Shores
For the best results in Ocean Shores, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.
Expert Tips for Ocean Shores Observers
Before heading out to Sasquatch Family Farms, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. For the best views here, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Washington Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
Sasquatch Family Farms
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
"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."
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
"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."
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Local Astronomy Clubs
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