To find the darkest skies near Rochester, head as far away from the city as possible without moving closer to another city. This will require some planning, but generally, the best location can be found by moving away from Monroe County.
Dark Sky Science
Choose a location from the green-to-dark-blue category, as explained in the legend above. The New World Atlas of Artificial Sky Brightness was created by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. I have used their data to identify the darkest places around Rochester where you can witness the beauty of the Universe.
For the best stargazing experience, head to destinations northeast of Rochester near Lake Ontario and south of US-20 in the Finger Lakes region. Dark skies provide optimal viewing for 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 skies near Rochester.
Perseid Meteor Shower
You can see the Perseid Meteor Shower in the early mornings up to August 12. The Perseids will appear to originate beneath ‘W’ shaped Cassiopeia in the eastern sky, which is easier to locate than Perseus, for which the shower is named.
In addition, late summer is prime time for observing the Milky Way.
Pack a lounge chair, bug repellent, and a blanket, and 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
The Perseid meteor shower will peak on the nights of August 11, 12, and 13. Although the moon will be 50% illuminated, it will set around midnight, providing dark skies for meteor spotting. The shower will appear to originate beneath the Cassiopeia constellation in the eastern sky. Learn more about the Perseids here at space.com at earthandsky.org’s article, Perseid Meteors: All You Need To Know.
Find the Darkest Sky in Each County
If you plan to visit these locations, it’s important to contact them first to learn about any necessary permissions or gate closures. You may also need to camp overnight. Several state parks host expert-led stargazing nights.
Greater Rochester
Finger Lakes National Forest
Seneca County
Gannett Hill
Ontario County
Hemlock Lake Park
Livingston County
This is a popular spot for night-sky photographers who want to capture the Milky Way. For the best view, they usually look towards the south.
Keuka Lake State Park
Yates County
Lakeside Beach State Park
Orleans County
Letchworth State Park
Wyoming County
Montezuma Audubon Center
Wayne County
The Audubon Center, located north of the Thruway in Savannah, has interconnected waterways with the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.
Surrounding Counties
Allegany State Park
Cattaraugus County
Canasaraga State Forest
Steuben County
Fair Haven Beach State Park
Cayuga County
Golden Hill State Park
Niagara County
Hanging Bog Game Management Area
Allegany County
Optimal viewing conditions
You could be fortunate to wake up at the perfect time, or you could 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 fortunate to wake up at 4:45 a.m. to a crystal clear, dark sky. You’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see the Orion Nebula along Orion’s Sword.
Inspiring Photographs
These photographers thrive on finding the darkest sky near Rochester!
Hemlock Lake
Letchworth
Chimney Bluffs
Allegany State Park
Explore More
50 New York State Parks Within a Two-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 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!
Explore New York’s Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes region is a popular tourist destination, featuring 11 lakes, charming cities and villages, and scenic farmland.
Explore The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail
The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.
Where is your favorite spot to sit under the darkest sky near Rochester?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
