Orting
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Orting area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Covington Community Park with professional NPS sky reports at Burroughs Mountain for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Orting
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Covington Community Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~19.3 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 Galileo Astronomy Unclub for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Orting offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Orting 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 Orting
In WA, the transitional periods of early Summer often provide a stable atmosphere between weather fronts. For Orting residents, this means less 'star twinkling' (scintillation) and a significantly steadier view for high-magnification planetary observation.
Expert Tips for Orting Observers
If you're visiting Covington Community 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 Burroughs Mountain (28.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Orting
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. To get the most out of these verified spots, ensure your mobile reconnaissance kit is ready for Orting's local horizons.
Covington Community Park
" Heading out from Orting toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Heading out from Orting toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Orting observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
Big Rock Park
" While it's a bit of a journey from Orting, 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. "
Paramount School Park
" Pack some snacks for the drive from Orting; this destination is a justified detour. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Orting
Rural conditions near Orting provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Orting
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, Orting observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Orting 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
Orting 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 Orting
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
Orting 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 Orting, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Orting
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Local astronomy clubs are great for testing gear; see what we suggest for Orting residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for Orting Nights
"Because you're heading just outside the Orting light dome, ensure your kit includes a dedicated "dew shield" to protect your optics from the humidity shifts found in the transitions between urban and rural zones."
The Orting Field Kit
When observing near Orting, the local atmospheric stability and the immediate access to verified hubs are your primary logistical factors. Since Covington Community Park offers a specific Class 4 horizon, your equipment needs to be calibrated for the unique transparency found in this part of the state. We've curated a specific progression of gear—from entry-level comfort to dedicated imaging hubs—to help you maximize every clear night.