Property is accessible at night to the general public for stargazing.
For best viewing locations see the map below or talk with a team member at the OAC.
The Keweenaw is fortunate to have dark skies, where one can look up and easily see a multitude of bright stars in the sky. There is very little artificial light around the Keweenaw. This is especially the case at the tip of the Keweenaw, where the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is located.
There are many nights which provide prime opportunities for stargazing, where you can look see the following at or around the resort:
- Constellations [ download the current month’s evening sky map from skymaps.com ]
- Meteor Showers
- Northern Lights
- Moonlit Snowshoe Hikes
Telescope Lending Program
KML lodging guests are welcome to borrow a telescope from the Outdoors Activity Center (OAC). Using a telescope to view stars enhances the experience of, as one can get closer to what you are seeing above you at night. [ Learn more about the Telescope Lending Program ]
Flashlights
It is useful to take a flashlight with you when you are walking around the property so you watch where you are stepping. To be considerate of others, a red flashlight is preferred. If you do not have one, inquire at the OAC about borrowing one. If using a flashlight that uses standard colored bulb, be respective of others while viewing the night sky by making sure to shine it downwards and turn it off when not needed.
Stargazing in Michigan
Here are articles about locations in the state of Michigan which offer vantage points to see the stars, along with various tips to see the dark skies:
- 10 Tips For Enjoying Michigan’s Dark Skies (Pure Michigan)
- The Most Stellar Places for Stargazing in Michigan (Pure Michigan)
- Magical Destinations to Chase the Northern Lights in Pure Michigan (Pure Michigan)
- Inside Secrets for Viewing the Northern Lights in Michigan (Pure Michigan)
- 5 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Michigan (MTNScoop)
- Stargazing in the Midwest doesn’t get any better than in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chicago Tribune)
- 5 Expert Tips for the Most Spectacular Summer Stargazing (Thrillist)
Supporting the Dark Skies
Stargazing is made possible in the Keweenaw by having dark skies, and we continue to foster dark skies with our activities (e.g. educational workshops, lighting management) and being a part of the International Dark-Sky Association.
Each year, in April, the world celebrates International Dark Sky Week in April. This year, it was April 15-22, 2023. The State of Michigan also issued a proclamation this year stating it was International Dark Sky Week in the state. [ Read the State of Michigan Proclamation ]
The benefits of dark skies are:
- Improve one’s circadian clock (or rhythm) — sleep patterns, hormone release, eating habits and digestion, and body temperature; for good health, we need sunshine as well as darkness [ i.e. better circadian clock means a better sleep, which contributes to better overall health ]
- Improving ecological integrity — many plants, wildlife, and insects rely on darkness to forage, breed and navigate, thus dark skies help them survive. [ e.g. many birds migrate at night, and the top of the Keweenaw is one of their byways ]
- Ensuring the full enjoyment of a wilderness experience