The Strawberry Moon is one of the most breathtaking lunar events that we can experience down here on Earth. Native American tribes named it because of its appearance during the strawberry harvest. However, this year, it’s set to be even more spectacular than any year before, thanks to a rare lunar alignment that will make the moon appear larger and more vibrant than ever before.
Stargazers across America can’t wait to see this phenomenon for themselves. But where are the best places to witness it? Let’s take a look at the top states where you can see the ultra-rare Strawberry Moon this week. Are you ready for an incredible night of moon watching?
1. California
California has super diverse landscapes, including cliffs and high mountain peaks, which are perfect for moon gazing. If you want to see the Strawberry Moon, you should consider areas like Big Sur and Joshua Tree National Park. They offer minimal light pollution and provide clear, unobstructed views of the Strawberry Moon.
California usually has mild weather in June, which increases your chances of a perfect sighting. Whether you watch the moon from a sandy beach or a forested mountain, California’s stunning landscapes provide the perfect setting for this event.
2. Florida
There’s no better place to stare at the Strawberry moon than Florida. With its clear June skies and abundance of unobstructed coastal horizons, you’re sure to have the view of a lifetime. With the moon hanging especially low in the sky this year, you’ll be perfectly positioned for an unobstructed view of the moon’s warm amber and rosy hues.
Head to Miami Beach or the remote shores of the Florida Keys for the best view. Don’t forget to take along a blanket and picnic basket, and make it a memory for life.
3. Arizona
Arizona’s dry climate and massive desert landscapes make it the perfect spot for moon watching. Flagstaff, which is recognized as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, is a favorite spot for stargazers. With its breathtaking scenery, the Grand Canyon also provides a stunning backdrop that makes the Strawberry Moon look even more mesmerizing.
Arizona has low humidity and clear skies, making it a favorite among photographers hoping to capture the Strawberry Moon’s rosy glow over the state’s striking rock formations and landscapes.
4. Maine
If you love being outdoors and surrounded by nature, Maine might just be the perfect spot for you to see this remarkable sight. Some of the best spots to kick off your boots and enjoy the view are Acadia National Park, renowned for its dark skies and panoramic vistas, and the International Dark Sky Sanctuary at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, where the city lights don’t stand a chance.
5. Colorado
If you live in Colorado, you are in for a treat. This state’s high elevation and clear mountain air offer the perfect conditions for stargazing. During celestial events, skywatchers often flock to Rocky Mountain National Park and the San Juan Mountains.
With wide-open skies and low humidity, the state provides clear, vivid views of the Strawberry Moon. Whether camping in the wild or enjoying the view from a cozy mountain town, Colorado’s stunning landscapes and fresh air create a truly memorable moon-watching experience.
6. Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for some of the darkest spots to give you the best view of the Strawberry moon, you’ll find the best rural areas, elevated terrains, or renowned dark sky parks in Pennsylvania. With low light pollution, rolling hills, and the smell of nature in the air, this will be one of the best views yet!
7. Utah
Utah is considered home to some of the darkest skies on Earth, especially in the state’s national parks. Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park are wonderful stargazing destinations. This week, the much-anticipated Strawberry Moon will likely shine brightly over Utah.
Due to Utah’s unique geological features and remote locations, viewers will enjoy a peaceful, awe-inspiring night under the stars while also being surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Southwest.
8. Minnesota
Dark skies and scenic wilderness are exactly what you’re looking for when you think about the best spot to take in the beauty of the Strawberry moon. Voyageurs National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are great places to unpack and sit back for the best view. If you’re close to Twin Cities, Eagle Lake Observatory, and Afton State Park, you’ll be surrounded by other stargazers with plenty of open sky to share.
9. New Mexico
New Mexico has a high desert terrain and low population density, which makes it a wonderful spot for stargazing. If you are looking for pristine night skies, you should consider White Sands National Park and the Gila Wilderness. This week, the Strawberry Moon is expected to illuminate New Mexico’s unique landscape and provide a stunning viewing experience.
With its cultural history and natural beauty, this state is the perfect place to relax and watch the Strawberry Moon rise in all its glory.
10. Nevada
With deserts all around, these landscapes are perfect for stargazers wanting to take in the moon’s beauty. For an unforgettable experience, head to iconic locations like Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, or the vast expanses outside Las Vegas, where the unobstructed eastern horizon and dark skies provide ideal conditions for lunar viewing. This is truly an experience you don’t want to miss, so make the best out of the darkest spots you can possibly find.
11. Texas
Texas is known for its massive, open skies, which are absolutely perfect for moon watching, especially in the state’s western regions. This week, people will be flocking to Big Bend National Park, which is a designated International Dark Sky Park, ensuring minimal light pollution.
No one would want to miss the sight of the Strawberry Moon rising over the rugged Texas landscape. No matter where you are in Texas, the state’s wide horizons and warm summer nights create the perfect moon-watching atmosphere.
12. Georgia
Georgia is a fantastic state to catch the ultra-rare Strawberry Moon this week, with many unique viewing locations thanks to its diverse landscapes and several protected dark sky areas. With elevated spots like Brasstown Bald, Rabun Bald, and Preacher’s Rock, you will surely have an unobstructed view of a lifetime. If you’re looking for one of the darkest skies, Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee Swamp stands out as a certified International Dark Sky Park, giving you the clearest night skies in the Southeast.
13. Oregon
Oregon is known for its scenic beauty and abundance of state parks, which make it a perfect location for lunar events. For elevated vantage points, you can visit the Cascade Mountains and Crater Lake National Park for the ideal view of this week’s Strawberry Moon.
Oregon usually has clear June nights, which provide excellent opportunities to catch the Strawberry Moon in all its glory. If you live in Oregon, you can expect the perfect view.
14. Washington
Washington is one of the best places to photograph the Strawberry moon. You’ll be in for a treat with dramatic landscapes, dark sky preserves, and minimal light pollution. For the best view, head to renowned stargazing destinations like Steamboat Rock State Park in North Central Washington, the pristine skies of the Methow Valley, or the rugged coastlines and mountain vistas of Olympic National Park.
Elevated spots such as Hurricane Ridge or Artist Point on Mount Baker also provide panoramic views that are perfect for moon-watching, and it’s sure to be a photo-worthy moment.
15. Montana
Montana is often referred to as the “Big Sky Country,” and it certainly lives up to this name during celestial events. Thanks to this state’s wide-open spaces and low population, you can expect less light pollution and a better view of this week’s Strawberry Moon.
If you want the perfect view of the moon, you should consider visiting Glacier National Park and the surrounding areas.
16. Michigan
This state has ample options when deciding where to take in the view. Areas like Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County, Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in the Upper Peninsula, and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are all top choices for an unobstructed and immersive lunar experience.
State parks like Lake Hudson, Negwegon, Port Crescent, Rockport, Thompson’s Harbor, and Wilderness State Park are also great choices for many stargazers, with some of the best landscapes to go along with the moon’s soft glow.
17. Alaska
Alaska has long summer days, which means that the state experiences late-night moonrises. However, Alaska’s remote wilderness areas offer unmatched clarity. Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula are the perfect spots to witness this week’s Strawberry Moon.
If you are willing to stay up a little later than usual, the moon will likely appear especially vivid against Alaska’s dramatic, untouched landscapes.
18. Vermont
If you’re looking for the best spot to look at the moon, it is no surprise that Vermont made its way onto this list. Southern Vermont’s wide-open spaces near West Dover, including Molly Stark State Park and Lake Whitingham, have some of the best vantage points for watching the moon in its full glory.
With clear skies forecasted for much of the state and the moon’s rare low trajectory, this will be an experience you won’t ever forget.
19. Wyoming
Wyoming has some pretty great spots to offer. Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming’s first International Dark Sky Park, is a great place to start, or even some other areas like Wind River Country, Devils Tower National Monument, the alpine lakes near Pinedale, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks. These are some pretty spectacular options to turn moon-watching into an experience you won’t be likely to forget.
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