The best chance we have to find the darkest sky near Rochester is to head as far away from the city as possible without moving closer to another city.
Sounds logical, though not easy to achieve without a good deal of planning. If you want to get to the best possible location, head away from Monroe County.
Make your next day trip a night trip
Pick a location that falls in the green-to-dark-blue category, detailed in the legend above from The New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness by Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences.
We used their data to determine the darkest destinations around Rochester from which to observe the Universe.
Destinations northeast of the City of Rochester close to Lake Ontario and south of US-20 in the Finger Lakes region will offer the darkest possible options to view meteor showers, stars, planets, and the Milky Way.
Specifically, if you head close to the locations below—one for each county—you’ll be under the darkest sky near Rochester.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Each August you can see the Perseid Meteor Shower just looking up, though the meteors will seem to originate from a place just beneath Cassiopeia which will be east of Rochester. It’s easier to find the ‘W’ shaped constellation than Perseus, for which the shower is named.
In addition, late summer is prime time for viewing the Milky Way!
Pack a lounge chair, bug repellent, and a blanket a spend a few hours gazing into the cosmos. A red flashlight can help you see, but not ruin your night vision like white light. It takes about 20 minutes to adjust our eyes to the dark, but just a few seconds of white light can ruin that.
Perseid Meteors 2021
According to earthsky.org’s article entitled, Perseid Meteors 2021: All You Need To Know:
“No matter where you live worldwide, the 2021 Perseid meteor shower will probably produce the greatest number of meteors on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13.
“On the peak mornings in 2021, there will be no moonlight to ruin the show. A non-intrusive waxing crescent phase will beautify the western sky at nightfall, but will set by early-to-mid evening. That guarantees a dark sky for this year’s Perseid meteors.”
Optimal viewing conditions
You could get really lucky waking up at the right time, or just look ahead at the cloud cover forecast to find an optimal time to observe the Universe unobstructed by cloud cover.
This photo of Orion was taken with my phone. I was lucky to wake up at 4:45 am to a crystal, clear dark sky. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see the Orion Nebula along Orion’s Sword.
These photographers thrive on finding the darkest sky near Rochester!
Hemlock Lake
Letchworth
Chimney Bluffs
Allegany State Park
Find the darkest sky near Rochester
If you’d like to go these locations specifically, make sure to contact them first to determine what permissions may be required, or whether gates close. You may need to spend the night camping. State Parks often host official “Star-Gazing” nights with experts.
1. Montezuma Audubon Center
Wayne County
The Audubon Center is located in Savannah, just north of the thruway, and its waterways are interconnected with Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.
2. Hemlock Lake Park
Livingston County
This is where many night-sky photographers head to capture the Milky Way, looking south.
3. Letchworth State Park
Wyoming County
4. Lakeside Beach State Park
Orleans County
5. Canasaraga State Forest
Steuben County
Center Circle: Keuka Lake State Park
6. Keuka Lake State Park
Yates County
7. Gannett Hill
Ontario County
8. Finger Lakes National Forest
Seneca County
9. Golden Hill State Park
Niagara County
10. Hanging Bog Game Management Area
Allegany County
11. Fair Haven Beach State Park
Cayuga County
12. Allegany State Park
Cattaraugus County
The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.
49 New York State Parks Within a 2-hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them each unique!
9 Lake Ontario Lighthouses in New York
These lighthouses along Lake Ontario in New York are within a two-hour drive of Rochester. And where there’s a light there’s a sweeping view!
Spend a Day in the Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes Region is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and right in our backyard! It is easy to get out there and explore.
Where is your favorite spot go sit under the darkest sky near Rochester?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!