Agency quotations below were checked October 12, 2026. Our notes, our plain-language guide and the distance-reference information in the card are identified separately. Hours, fees and programs change, so confirm on the agency's site before you go. We don't know tonight's weather.
Our guideWhat this means for your night
Our plain-language reading of the sources and calculations on this page. It adds no new facts; the quotes below are the evidence.
Two different ways to visit. DCNR runs two separate stargazing areas, and they work differently. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area, north of Route 44, is for short visits of a few hours; overnight stays aren't permitted there. It has public parking, restrooms and a walkway to an amphitheater shielded from passing headlights, and it's where park educators give public programs, weather permitting. White light is allowed there, though DCNR recommends a red filter, and anyone using white light during a program will be asked to put it out. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is for serious observers with equipment: registration, a permit and a user fee are required, all lights must be red or fully shielded, and you must arrive in daylight to park on the field. It has power pedestals and concrete telescope pads. DCNR doesn't list a fee for the public viewing area on the pages we quote, so check with the park rather than assume either way. There's also the Rustic Campground, which DCNR suggests for casual stargazers staying overnight.
Which to choose. For a family with no telescope, the public viewing area and its programs are the natural fit: short, with public programs on some nights and restrooms. The overnight field is the place for a planned, equipped all-nighter, and its rules on white light and headlights exist to protect the observers already set up there.
Certification, in order. DCNR declared Cherry Springs its first Dark Sky Park in 2000, a state designation. The International Dark Sky Park certification followed in 2008, as DCNR's page in our directory card states.
What to bring. DCNR says the park sits on a mountaintop where weather tends to be cool and damp, so bring warm, waterproof layers.
Two different recognitions: DCNR declared the park a state Dark Sky Park in 2000 (quoted below), and its International Dark Sky Park certification followed in 2008 (quoted in the card at the end of this page).
Park-wide
Getting there
“Street Address: 4639 Cherry Springs Road Coudersport, PA 16915”.
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Hours and night access
“The park is open every day of the year.”
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Facilities
“Cherry Springs State Park is located on top of a mountain and the weather generally tends to be on the cool side. It can also be damp.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Certification
“Recognizing this unique resource needed to be managed and protected, during 2000, DCNR declared Cherry Springs State Park its first Dark Sky Park.”
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Night Sky Public Viewing Area
The agency's information for this area of the park only.
Where to observe
“If you would like to come out and enjoy the magnificent night sky at Cherry Springs and only wish to gaze for a few hours, you may do so at the Night Sky Public Viewing Area located north of Rt. 44.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
“Night Sky Public Viewing Area -- Best short-term stargazing for a few hours. Although white light is permitted, a red filter or cover for your flashlight is recommended to preserve your night vision.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Hours and night access
“The Night Sky Public Viewing Area is intended for short term (a few hours or less) star gazing and is not permitted for overnight stays.”
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Facilities
“Public parking, restrooms, and waysides are located here. Follow the walkway to the amphitheater which is shielded from passing vehicle lights.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Astronomy programs
“Weather permitting, a park educator or guest speaker presents public stargazing programs in the Night Sky Public Viewing Area and amphitheater.”
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Night rules
“Any visitor using white light during a public program will be asked to extinguish the light.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Overnight Astronomy Observation Field
The agency's information for this area of the park only.
Where to observe
“Overnight Astronomy Observation Field -- Excellent overnight viewing for serious stargazers with equipment.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Hours and night access
“The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is open to registered users all night.”
Source: DCNR: Cherry Springs State Park
Fees and permits
“Astronomers must register and acquire a permit before using the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field. All users are required to register at the contact station across the road from he Overnight Astronomy Observation Field and pay a user fee before setting up.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Facilities
“Electricity is available on the astronomy field from 120-volt ground fault protected power outlets in RV style pedestals (six per pedestal).”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
“Concrete Telescope Pads -- Pads, ranging in size from 4 feet to 6 feet, are located randomly across the field for astronomers who prefer to set up on the pads.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Night rules
“Arrive during daylight hours to park on the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
“After dusk, parking is only available in the adjacent parking lot and users must walk onto the field.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
“On the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, all lights must have red filters or need to be fully shielded. White light is prohibited. Interior vehicle lights should be turned off or shielded with red filters.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
“When driving after dark, keep headlights on but follow one-way signs to ensure headlights are directed away from the field.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
Rustic Campground
The agency's information for this area of the park only.
Where to observe
“Rustic Campground -- Suggested for overnight stargazing for casual stargazers. Not Recommended for serious stargazers.”
Source: DCNR: stargazing at Cherry Springs
"he" in the overnight-field instructions is as printed by DCNR (it reads as "the").
At a glance
Cherry Springs State Park
Dark Sky Park · certified 2008
Pennsylvania
Address the agency lists: 4639 Cherry Springs Road Coudersport, PA 16915
“During 2008, Cherry Springs State Park attained a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park certification from the International Dark Sky Association.”
Source: pa.gov (the managing agency's page)
Distance reference point: the center of ZIP code 16915, taken from the address the agency lists, because the Census geocoder could not place the street address; this is an approximate location, not the park itself. It's for measuring distance, not for navigation; use the agency's own directions to get there. View reference point on map for Cherry Springs State Park
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