There’s something magic about staring up at a sky full of stars. Whether you’re watching the Perseids streak across the night or just tracing constellations in peaceful silence, stargazing taps into something deep and calming.
The Northern Lights. The moon cresting over the hill looking close enough to touching with a ladder. Billions of stars to remind us that our problems are nothing in the eternal scheme of things.
That’s why creating a glamping site designed with the stars in mind is such a meaningful way to offer your guests something unforgettable—and it doesn’t require a lot to pull off.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a glampsite that’s perfect for stargazing: from choosing the right location and reducing light pollution, to offering cozy, thoughtful touches that make guests want to lie back and stay a while.
1. Start With a Stellar Location
The most important part of any stargazing setup is the sky itself. That means your first task is to find a location with minimal light pollution.
Use a Dark Sky Map
Websites like LightPollutionMap.info can help you locate dark sky areas. The further you are from cities or industrial areas, the clearer the view.
Elevation Matters
If your property includes any hills or ridges, higher elevations may offer wider, more open skies with less atmospheric haze. With that said. our campsite is located in a valley – and the planetarium-like view. with very little ambient light, is breathtaking. If you are going to designate a star gazing area, you will want to focus on accessibility—especially for guests who might be arriving at night.
Tree Coverage
Some tree cover is fine—and even cozy—but you’ll want at least one or two open-sky zones that give a panoramic view of the heavens. Clearings, meadows, or the edge of a forest line work beautifully. Walking away from a tree covered firepit area into a field revealing a sea of stars overhead is something to be remembered.
2. Design for Darkness Without Sacrificing Comfort
The key to an excellent stargazing site is creating comfort without lessening the experience with artificial light.
Low-Light Pathways
Install low-level solar path lights with downward-facing bulbs or motion-activated LEDs. Warm-toned lights are best, and amber or red hues preserve night vision.
No White Light Zones
Consider designating a “dark zone” near your stargazing area where bright lights are discouraged. Provide guests with red-lens flashlights or lanterns they can borrow during their stay. At our camp, every dusk til dawn light can also be turned off with an easy to access switch – that way guests can experience more darkness and an ultimate star gazing experience.
Blackout Options in Cabins or Tents
Ensure that interior lights don’t spill out into the night unnecessarily. Heavy curtains or blackout shades let guests enjoy the night sky without light bleed. Turning off cabin interior and outside lights also does the trick, with decorative low-amp lighting to show the way.
3. Create a Stargazing Lounge or Deck
Once your guests find the stars, they’ll want to stay awhile—and comfort makes all the difference.
Essential Features:
- Reclining loungers, hammocks, or Adirondack chairs
- Firepit or chimenea for warmth and ambiance
- Blankets or throw shawls for cooler nights
- Outdoor rugs or cushioned mats to encourage lying down
- Small telescope or binoculars with an intro guide for beginners
Bonus: Add a small side table or stump for placing drinks, a thermos, or a stargazing guidebook.
4. Offer Stargazing Kits or Rentals
A little extra equipment can turn a good night into a magical one.
What to Include in a Stargazing Kit:
- Star chart or app instructions (e.g., SkyView or Stellarium)
- Red flashlight for night vision
- Cozy blanket or wrap
- Binoculars
- Thermos of tea or cocoa (optional but memorable!)
Make it easy to check out a kit, or even better, leave one in each tent or cabin. You might also offer rentals of telescopes or guided stargazing experiences during peak viewing nights.
5. Time Your Bookings With Celestial Events
Keep an eye on the astronomical calendar and highlight key events for your guests. You can use this as a marketing boost too.
Big Nights to Promote:
- Meteor Showers – Perseids (August), Geminids (December), Leonids (November)
- Eclipses – Lunar or solar, depending on your region. The solar eclipse last year attracted guests from all around the country!
- Planet Alignments – Great for telescope viewing
- New Moon Weekends – Best time to see the stars in full glory
Mention these events in your booking calendar or blog. Some sites even offer “astro-cations”—you can market a few special weekends this way, especially if you offer extras like guided viewings or themed s’mores nights.
6. Decor That Echoes the Sky
You don’t need a space theme to suggest starry night beauty—but a few special touches go a long way.
Ideas for Atmosphere:
- Solar-powered fairy lights wrapped in tree branches
- Constellation maps or moon-phase art inside cabins
- Star-shaped lanterns on the porch
- A stargazing journal or guestbook with prompts like “What did you see tonight?”
You can even name cabins after constellations to weave the night sky into your branding.
7. Educate, Inspire, and Connect
Part of what makes a stargazing site special is helping guests connect with the vast Universe above them.
Offer a Simple Star Guide
Include a printed guide or QR code to an app so guests can identify constellations and planets. You could even include a star log where they can record what they saw.
Host Occasional Sky Talks or Night Walks
Even if you’re not an astronomer, you can read up on a few highlights of the sky and lead a short moonlight walk. Some local astronomy clubs might be willing to partner for seasonal events.
Encourage Connection
The stars have a way of sparking reflection. Suggest that guests put phones away for part of the evening. Provide a stargazing “playlist” or invite them to just sit in silence. It doesn’t have to be high-tech—it just has to be heartfelt.
8. All-Weather Stargazing: Think Ahead
Not every night is clear, so it’s worth having a backup plan that still honors the theme.
Ideas for Cloudy Nights:
- Planetarium projector in a covered lounge area
- Night-themed board games or trivia cards
- Moon-phase baking kits or glow-in-the-dark crafts for kids
You can even provide access to live telescope feeds online or recorded sky tours for rainy days.
Final Thoughts: Magic Happens When You Look Up
A glamping site designed with stargazing in mind offers something rare and deeply moving: the chance to unplug, slow down, and connect with the universe. Whether you’re building from scratch or adding thoughtful touches to an existing campsite, these simple strategies can turn an ordinary stay into an unforgettable night under the stars.
And don’t forget to look up yourself—enjoy what you’ve accomplished along with the vastness of the night sky. Enjoy!!
