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The Pacific Northwest, especially Washington and Oregon, offers endless opportunities for viewing the cosmos – from miles of unpopulated coastlines and towering mountain tops to rural observatories and geeky scientific astronomy tours.

Warm weather and wide-open skies — summer is the time for stargazing and working your night moves. What can be seen depends on the exact location, season and time, but on a clear night, after your eyes have adjusted to the dark, both amateur and avid astronomers can typically enjoy eclipses, meteor showers, naked-eye planets, the possibility of an aurora and skies twinkling with hundreds of stars. There’s really never been a better time to take up interest in far-flung heavenly bodies – 2009 has been hailed the International Year of Astronomy in honour of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope to study the skies. Here’s where to get your celestial fix in the Pacific Northwest:

Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout, Mount Spokane State Park

Say “bye-bye” to boisterous summer campground neighbours and capture a romantic part of the Pacific Northwest’s past with a stay at Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout, about 30 miles northeast of Spokane. Sure, camping conditions are primitive, but the dark skies, solitude and budget-friendly price ($73 per night) draw amateur astronomers from near and far. Those wishing to stay park near the Selkirk Lodge, the starting point for the 13 mile trail system, and then hike 2.2 miles to the remote former fire lookout. The 14’ by 14’ wood frame structure sleeps four comfortably and features wrap-around windows and a deck that doubles as an impromptu observatory, assuming, of course, you’ve brought your own telescope. Basic amenities are available – mattresses, propane stove, and patio furniture – but don’t plan on electricity. If you want to get a little kitschy, swing by the Fire Lookout Museum in North Spokane for some background information before heading up the mountain. Operated from a private residence, the “museum” owner and author of Fire Lookouts of the Northwest, Ray Kresek is a complete character and invaluable resource for all local, natural and outdoor topics. Note: The Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout is a seasonal rental in the summer months.

Information: website or phone:(509) 238-5258.

The Bridge of the Gods

Stretching across the mighty Columbia River, the night-time views from The Bridge of the Gods rival those in the daytime. Part of the Pacific Crest Trail that links Mexico to Canada, sparse traffic and a snail-like 15-mile per hour speed limit allows footbridge pedestrians to safely take in the night skies with minimal light or noise distraction. Part of the spring run for more than a million salmon and steelhead, the Columbia River spans more than 1200 miles from the Canadian Rockies and emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The history of the river’s third oldest bridge is richly woven with Native American prime-time TV-worthy tales of love, rivalry and destruction, while modern stories less colourfully cite the steel truss cantilever structure simply as a practical link between Cascade Locks, OR and Stevenson, WA.

Information: website

Sunriver Nature Center Observatory, Sunriver, Oregon

Nightly stargazing events and super powerful telescopes have made Sunriver Nature Center Observatory a Mecca for astronomy buffs. Each evening from 9 – 11p.m., enthusiasts of several generations descend upon the privately run, non-profit to discover and discuss various stars, planets, galaxies and nebulae. Committed stargazers come equipped with their own gear, but on high traffic nights, it’s not uncommon for there to be ten or more telescopes in rotation for general use. Kids dig the hands-on learning aspects of the experience, while celestially savvy grownups appreciate the crystal clear skies thanks to strict light pollution control in Sunriver.

Information: website or telephone: (541) 593-4394

Full Moon Floats with Rill Adventures, Thorp, Washington

During Rill Adventures’ Full Moon Floats, guests commune with the great outdoors under a surrealistically huge and luminous moon. One night a month, the rafting and fly-fishing outfitter gathers an intimate group of guests for a mesmerizing float down the Yakima River Canyon. Home to trout, bass, panfish, as well as giant birds of prey, osprey and eagles, the Yakima River has its own mystical charm, especially under bright, moonlit skies. Soak up the tranquility of the river while learning about local flora, fauna and spotting the occasional shooting star. Rafting newbies need not fear; experts will gently guide you down the river in the cool night air. Sigh.

Information: website or telephone: (509) 964-2520

Washington State Ferry en route from San Juan Islands, Washington

Unobstructed, pitch black skies on Puget Sound position the late night ferries between San Juan Islands and Anacortes for planetary adoration. Visitors flock to the sparsely populated archipelago for sea kayaking and Orca whale watching, but timed right, travelling to and from via ferry affords travellers a unique and unexpected perspective on the celestial skies. Bundled up passengers clasping cups of steaming beverages take to the top deck for best views and the occasional make-out session pressed against boat rails. The one-hour journey is efficient, smooth, and just long enough to induce a blissed-out state of mind. During summer months, Washington State Ferry runs past midnight, making impromptu day trips and date nights to the San Juan Islands possible.

Information: website or telephone: (206) 464-6400

Crystal Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Washington

At 4,400 ft. base elevation and a quick two-hour drive from Seattle, Crystal Mountain, near the White River/Sunrise Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is a favourite summertime camping destination for city slickers and a popular, year-round spot for stargazers. Surrounded by national park, national forest and wilderness lands, nothing gets between outdoor enthusiasts and the sprawling night skies.

Information: website or telephone: (888) SKI-6400

WildSpring Guest Habitat, Port Orford, Oregon

At this secluded five-cabin Zen getaway, about an hour north of the California border, spiritual seekers get their star fix in a variety of ways. Get horizontal after dark either with a massage or floating in the open-air slate spa which overlooks the ocean. Meander through a rock bordered labyrinth amongst a grove of towering Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, Port Orford cedar, and exotic myrtlewood while contemplating the heavens. Arrange for guided walking tours, horse riding on the beach, a jetboat up the Rogue River, or even just stay put and sway in cool evening breeze in a hammock while soaking up the peaceful night skies. From mid-May to mid-October, the weather is so predictable you can pretty much count on warm evening temperatures and clear skies, making star gazing an absolutely magical experience.

Information: website or telephone: (866) 333-9453

For further information on the area, visit our Washington State, Seattle and Oregon destination guides.

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About the writer:

Charyn Pfeuffer is a Seattle-based writer and editor with a decade’s worth of experience in publishing and media. She has written extensively on her specialist subjects, food and travel, and has been published in over 50 media outlets, including National Geographic Traveler, Fodors.com, San Francisco Chronicle and Seattle Times.