Woodinville
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Woodinville area serves as a strategic corridor for WA observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Big Rock Park with professional NPS sky reports at Obstruction Point for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Woodinville
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Big Rock Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~7.6 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 Seattle Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Woodinville offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Woodinville acts as a primary gateway to the Big Rock Park zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Obstruction Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Woodinville
While Winter offers the most consistent clear nights for Woodinville, 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 Woodinville Observers
When observing from Big Rock Park, try to position yourself facing away from the nearest major light dome. For Woodinville 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 (58.4 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Woodinville
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 Woodinville's local horizons.
Big Rock Park
" Just a quick dash for Woodinville residents, this location offers great convenience. 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
" Just a quick dash for Woodinville residents, this location offers great convenience. 'Dress warmly. Redlight flashlights only. "
Snoqualmie Point Park
" Woodinville observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Please, no white lights. Any cell phones and flashlights need to be tinted deep red. "
Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead
" Heading out from Woodinville toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Scientific Fact: Around 3 AM, the atmosphere is usually most stable, offering the 'steadiest seeing' for high-magnification planetary views. "
Covington Community Park
" Heading out from Woodinville toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Dress more warmly than you think necessay. Please be careful walking around after dark. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Woodinville
Rural conditions near Woodinville provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Woodinville
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 Woodinville nights in our observer field kit.
Obstruction Point
Olympic NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Woodinville, 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."
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
For observers in Woodinville, Burroughs Mountain serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"High Cirrus to North West"
Dark Sky Oasis near Woodinville
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
Woodinville stargazers often look to Cottonwood Canyon State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
99989 Highway 206
Antelope, Oregon
The protected skies at Antelope, Oregon represent a vital astronomical asset for the Woodinville observing community.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Woodinville
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 Woodinville residents to bring to your first meet-up.
Gearing Up for Woodinville Nights
"With such a short hop from Woodinville to the stars, your gear kit should prioritize "setup speed." Use a stable Alt-Az mount that lets you start viewing the moment you park."
The Woodinville Field Kit
Every observer in Woodinville eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. The difference between the Woodinville city center and the instrumented readings at sites 8 miles away is staggering, requiring optics that can handle both glare and deep contrast. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near Woodinville.