Minnesota’s Dark Sky Sanctuary – Best for Northern Lights & Star Gazing

When we were kids, it was awesome to camp out at night, not in a tent, just gazing up at the sky and look at the stars.  For some reason, it can be completely mesmerizing.

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Now, as an adult, I cannot imagine sleeping outside all night.  Nope!  Pains, bad sleep, uncomfortable, etc.  BUT the star gazing thing and watching the Northern Lights never gets old.

DARK SKY SANCTUARY

Northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters area has recently been named as a Dark Sky Sanctuary.  Recently, as in the last 5 years.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

The wilderness was recently named a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association. This means the BWCAW is not only one of the places in the United States for stargazing, it's one of the premier places in the entire world to take in the splendor of the cosmos.

LETS GO OFF THE GRID

When you are considered a Dark Sky Sanctuary, it means that there are all the steps taken to keep away pollution, limiting artificial light, no high populated areas, all in an attempt to keep the dark sky as dark as possible.  This is to keep it an area to view the sky and all of it's glory - hopefully forever.

ENJOY THE PEACEFULNESS

The BWCA is a very peaceful place to unplug and unwind.  Totally off the grid.  If you love to do this, at least for part of the year just to get your batteries recharged, so to speak, this is the place to do that.

Just make sure to bring bug spray, and all of your survival gear.  But get ready also to become one with nature, at least for a few days.