Parkland
Stargazing Guide.
Just 22.1 miles from the center of Parkland, 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 Parkland
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Covington Community Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~22.1 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 Parkland offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Parkland 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 Parkland
Observation in Parkland is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Pacific region often result in significantly higher transparency, allowing you to see objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula with much more definition.
Expert Tips for Parkland 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 (39.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Parkland
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 Parkland's local horizons.
Covington Community Park
" Heading out from Parkland 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
" A manageable drive from Parkland, 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
" A manageable drive from Parkland, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Atmospheric Tip: Scintillation (star twinkling) is a sign of high-altitude turbulence. If stars are twinkling heavily, stick to low-magnification wide views. "
Paramount School Park
" Heading out from Parkland toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Big Rock Park
" Pack some snacks for the drive from Parkland; this destination is a justified detour. 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 Parkland
Rural conditions near Parkland provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Parkland
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.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Parkland 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 Parkland 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 Parkland
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 Parkland observers.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Parkland 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 Parkland, Antelope, Oregon offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Parkland
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Planning to join a local session? Make sure you have the essentials ready by checking our starter kit recommendations.
Gearing Up for Parkland Nights
"Staging for a night near Parkland 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 Parkland Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Parkland requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With Covington Community Park sitting at a ~22-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.