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St. George Island
As a barrier island with a limited population, St. George Island is perfect for stargazing. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is tucked away at the east end of the island, far from the lights of a major city. Visitors have the rare opportunity to gaze upon a truly dark sky, with the best views of the night sky in the region. In fact, staff are working toward achieving designation as a Dark Sky Park with the International Dark Sky Association.
All Florida State Parks close at sunset; however, they offer several ways to gain after-hours access to the park to enjoy the dark skies:
- Reserve a campsite in the family campground online or by calling Reserve America.
- If you are a Florida State Parks Family Annual Pass holder interested in gaining access to the preserve after sunset, please visit the office during the regular office hours and sign up for an after-hours permit, which would grant you access to the park’s common day use areas after hours.
Please note that the entrance is closed daily 15 minutes after sunset; only registered campers or after-hours pass holders are allowed entry after dark.
Cape San Blas
Cape San Blas is also an excellent place to view the night sky when on the Forgotten Coast. You can see a map of the Cape San Blas night sky here to see which planets and objects are visible and where to locate them.
The T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on Cape San Blas sustained significant damage to the camping facilities during Hurricane Michael in 2018. The Category 5 winds carved a breach connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Eagle Harbor. Though the road leading to the campground is gone now, a land bridge forms sometimes now when the tide is low. You can apply for an overnight recreational pass if you wish to spend a few hours stargazing after sunset.
Alligator Point
The exquisite stargazing, along with unsurpassed tranquility, are considered some of the best reasons to visit Alligator Point, Florida.
This pristine, rural beach community is located 45 minutes south of Tallahassee, and there are no crowds, no strip malls, and no movie theaters. In fact, it doesn’t even have a t-shirt shop. You will find miles of quiet beach, along with unparalleled opportunities for fishing, relaxing,and stargazing.
