Notes on the Observing sites. The list is sorted basically from the closest to Ann Arbor to the farthest. Most of these sites except the three Dark Sky Preserves and Alcona Park are within 45 minutes of Ann Arbor. The common disadvantage to these are light pollution. The farther from the city the better for viewing. These sites closert to Ann Arbor have one or two compromised horizons. Parking is not always near the best place for observing or astrophotography, and you’ll have to move gear over rough ground. Leslie Park, Liberty Pond, Koenn and Brauer are best if you have large equipment, though all but Leslie Park have small parking lots. The Dark Sky preserves are each excellent places but the closest is Lake Hudson (south of Jackson) at about 90 minutes. However, the difference in the enjoyment of the sky is stunning at the dark sky preserves.
Leslie Park
Pros: Big parking lot, lots of open space
Cons: In the middle of Ann Arbor, so light pollution is an issue
Liberty Pond Nature Area
Brauer Nature Preserve
Koenn Nature Preserve
Peach Mountain McMath Observatory
Note: This location is only open during Lowbrow Astronomers Open House Events. See the Calendar
Portage Lake in Waterloo State Recreation Area
Use the Boat Launch area or the beach. Access off Seymore Road.
Haehnle Bird Sanctuary
Lutz County Park
100 acres of public recreation use. A 1.3-mile trail system provides opportunities for users to experience high-quality natural areas, scenic views, and wildlife and its habitat while at the same time passing by farm fields.
Also available are picnic tables, benches, nature interpretive signs, trail head display, a parking area and restroom (location is unconfirmed).
For astronomy, it’s pretty much a 6-car parking lot and open area.
Web site: https://milivcounty.gov/parks/lutz/
Lake Hudson Recreation Area
This State Park is mostly a fishing lake and campground. It does have Dark Sky Preserve status and is a Bortle 3.5-4 sky. It gives a very nice experience on a clear night. There is a designated parking lot for observation (1st right past the gatehouse). However, many like to use the beach as it has better west and South views. The Boat launch area is also a good spot, but you will have to contend with boaters removing boats after dark. Many fisherman are night fisherman here.
Port Crescent State Park and Dark Sky Preserve
Nice and dark. Open ALL nights. It’s the “Day Use Area” not the campground a mile away. The Pin on the map marks the day use area. The park encourages astronomers.
The beach parking lot is where folks set up big equipment. Downside is the yahoos who barrel in at midnight with their brights, raking you as they do a U-turn. So block the entrance direction with your car. Better yet, if lightweight equipment, take the short hike through the sand dune to the beach. The best place to observe aurora and see good for objects that are not straight south. For south, stay in the parking lot. There are places to stay and eat nearby. The Farm restaurant is FANTASTIC, close by, but a bit pricey. The campground is great, recently renovated, but always pretty full. They have cabins and geodesic domes that you can rent. Highly recommended!
Alcona Park
Very dark, only 3 hours north. A few cabins to rent, big campgrounds. On a dammed lake. Near the city of Glennie, MI. Adrian and I have taken some great images there over the years. Go to the lakeside open area south of the boat launch to get away from lights and campfires. Glennie has restaurants. Other than the cabins, I don’t think there are other options (like motels) nearby.
TK Lawless Dark Sky Preserve
