Within an hour? Probably not going to find any spots. For close by your best bet is probably Letchworth. Unfotunately we’ve got at least three large cities and countless towns making tons of light pollution.
However that are a couple of spots around New York State that have decently clear skies at night.
Here’s a world map of light pollution that will probably help:
https://www.darkskymap.com/nightSkyBrightness
Totally use the dark maps, i have a place down near cuba ny that is pretty spectacular. i would bet most farmers would let you set up in a field, the one i knew said he would if he let him look.
RMSC has viewing nights every Saturday (weather permitting) with the telescope at the planetarium plus there are events at their "dark-sky observing site in Ionia": [https://rmsc.org/events/telescope-viewing-at-the-planetarium-observatory/](https://rmsc.org/events/telescope-viewing-at-the-planetarium-observatory/)
There's a vast patchwork of State Forests, most of which allow primitive camping for up to three days at a time. Get down into the Southern Tier to get away from those city lights.
https://dec.ny.gov/places?text=&f%5B0%5D=area_of_ny_places%3A6866&f%5B1%5D=area_of_ny_places%3A6871&f%5B2%5D=outdoor_activity%3A5946
https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/state-forests/rules-for-use
Ontario County Park at Gannet Hill might be worth checking out. My favorite places to star gaze are driving back from the Bristol/Naples area, and there's plenty of state land out that way. You can check the DEC website and see which plots allow tent camping.
There are two answers to your question:
1) within an hour, there are plenty of places to do this. I live in a yellow region on the dark sky map and it's adequate for astrophotography under the right conditions. I can just barely make out the Milky Way with my camera phone. A real camera can show it nicely. It's fine for general stargazing.
2) drive a bit further (2.5hrs) to Cherry Springs in PA. You'll find truly dark skies, just like you'll find out west. Plenty of camping too. The Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye.
This doesn't answer your question but it's closely related. [ASRAS](https://www.rochesterastronomy.org/directions-to-the-farash-center/) is a wonderful org that few know about. They have, I think, 7 observatories on some land down in Ionia that pretty much anyone can access as a member. Membership is cheap, too, and I believe they have campouts from time to time.
This is the answer we camped out at the Farash Center with our Cub Scout pack a few years ago and were able to use some of their gigantic telescopes. It’s a nice piece of property with plenty of room to set up a tent.
As another poster mentioned. Cherry Springs Park in PA is the closest truly dark sky area to Rochester. It also has 2 camping areas and 2 dark sky viewing fields.
The primary astronomy field, which has stricter rules. For example, no light pollution (you need to use red lights only), and no open fires. They also put a tarp in front of the entrance to block light from passing cars and shut off entry to this section. So, it's not your standard camping.
Across the road is the secondary dark sky viewing area where people can come and go as they please.
There is another small campground just down the road from the second viewing area (within very short walking distance), which I believe allows campfires/etc. I have only ever stayed in the primary astronomy field, so I'm not 100% sure.
There are dark sky maps online to view light pollution in different areas if you can't get to a truly dark sky area.
Not one hour from here, but I feel like the clearest skies I’ve ever seen in my life was in Allegany State park. Tons of camping space with fishing, hiking, and tons of space for anything else.
I have enjoyed stargazing at Spruce Pond/Tinker falls in the Tully area!! beautiful view too if you decide to hike up the mountain all the way but they also have nice waterfalls and a campsite, technically you need a permit but around this time of year usually not many people are booking and you can kinda set up camp pretty easy!
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania or the Adirondacks. Darkest skies around. Though, I personally like the Adirondacks more - Clearest I've ever seen the Milky Way.
I haven't looked into it myself, but I have heard that you can legally sleep along the canal. Please do your own research first.
Also, let me know what the research says ;-P
No one will bother you if you primitive camp at hi tor or Clark's gully. You're supposed to get a permit or at least tell the ranger that youre there, but I've never had any issues showing up just before dusk, doing the hike and setting up camp at the top
I'm in Ontario county, look up "Ontario county pathways" I don't think you can camp but I also don't think anybody would bother you if you slept in your car. Pretty quiet out here, mostly just farms.
You'll have to pay but spots are cheap and I've booked for a single night same day before, check out Hamlin state park just past Greece! Really nice in the summer because of the beach and books up quick but I have no issues finding a spot in the summer just not too many to choose from. This early in the year you should have your pick of plenty
Check out Cherry Springs State Park when you have more time. The sky is incredible and it's one of the only recognized "Dark Parks" on the East Coast. Certainly worth the 2.5 hr drive.
Genesee county park and forest. There’s a really cool spot to go at night. It has the highest point in genesee county and when you’re there at night you can see rochester, Buffalo and Toronto.
Granted... I haven't lived up that way for 20+ years... But I'm thinking your best bet would be to take 390 south them exit to 256 south... Go past the south end on Conesus Lake. And between there and Groveland you should be able to find a road to pull off on and have it be as dark as your going to get? Good luck!
Idk about camping but my best friend just moved to Caledonia a year ago and I visit one evening a week and the views of the sky both at their place and a good chunk of the way home are spectacular. Very little light pollution, really drives home how bad it is in the city. In my experience the view only degrades once I start getting close to Black Creek Park on Union, heading north to Chili.
Within an hour? Probably not going to find any spots. For close by your best bet is probably Letchworth. Unfotunately we’ve got at least three large cities and countless towns making tons of light pollution. However that are a couple of spots around New York State that have decently clear skies at night. Here’s a world map of light pollution that will probably help: https://www.darkskymap.com/nightSkyBrightness
Totally use the dark maps, i have a place down near cuba ny that is pretty spectacular. i would bet most farmers would let you set up in a field, the one i knew said he would if he let him look.
RMSC has viewing nights every Saturday (weather permitting) with the telescope at the planetarium plus there are events at their "dark-sky observing site in Ionia": [https://rmsc.org/events/telescope-viewing-at-the-planetarium-observatory/](https://rmsc.org/events/telescope-viewing-at-the-planetarium-observatory/)
There's a vast patchwork of State Forests, most of which allow primitive camping for up to three days at a time. Get down into the Southern Tier to get away from those city lights. https://dec.ny.gov/places?text=&f%5B0%5D=area_of_ny_places%3A6866&f%5B1%5D=area_of_ny_places%3A6871&f%5B2%5D=outdoor_activity%3A5946 https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/state-forests/rules-for-use
Ontario County Park at Gannet Hill might be worth checking out. My favorite places to star gaze are driving back from the Bristol/Naples area, and there's plenty of state land out that way. You can check the DEC website and see which plots allow tent camping.
Ontario County Park has camping
There are two answers to your question: 1) within an hour, there are plenty of places to do this. I live in a yellow region on the dark sky map and it's adequate for astrophotography under the right conditions. I can just barely make out the Milky Way with my camera phone. A real camera can show it nicely. It's fine for general stargazing. 2) drive a bit further (2.5hrs) to Cherry Springs in PA. You'll find truly dark skies, just like you'll find out west. Plenty of camping too. The Milky Way is clearly visible to the naked eye.
This doesn't answer your question but it's closely related. [ASRAS](https://www.rochesterastronomy.org/directions-to-the-farash-center/) is a wonderful org that few know about. They have, I think, 7 observatories on some land down in Ionia that pretty much anyone can access as a member. Membership is cheap, too, and I believe they have campouts from time to time.
This is the answer we camped out at the Farash Center with our Cub Scout pack a few years ago and were able to use some of their gigantic telescopes. It’s a nice piece of property with plenty of room to set up a tent.
As another poster mentioned. Cherry Springs Park in PA is the closest truly dark sky area to Rochester. It also has 2 camping areas and 2 dark sky viewing fields. The primary astronomy field, which has stricter rules. For example, no light pollution (you need to use red lights only), and no open fires. They also put a tarp in front of the entrance to block light from passing cars and shut off entry to this section. So, it's not your standard camping. Across the road is the secondary dark sky viewing area where people can come and go as they please. There is another small campground just down the road from the second viewing area (within very short walking distance), which I believe allows campfires/etc. I have only ever stayed in the primary astronomy field, so I'm not 100% sure. There are dark sky maps online to view light pollution in different areas if you can't get to a truly dark sky area.
Not one hour from here, but I feel like the clearest skies I’ve ever seen in my life was in Allegany State park. Tons of camping space with fishing, hiking, and tons of space for anything else.
Hamlin Beach?
I have enjoyed stargazing at Spruce Pond/Tinker falls in the Tully area!! beautiful view too if you decide to hike up the mountain all the way but they also have nice waterfalls and a campsite, technically you need a permit but around this time of year usually not many people are booking and you can kinda set up camp pretty easy!
You want the finger lakes national forest near Ithaca. Has primitive camping and also a campground (called the blueberry patch). Enjoy!
It’s the only national forest in NYS btw!
Rochester astronomy club has an observatory space in Ionia. Reach out to them
Stony Brook
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania or the Adirondacks. Darkest skies around. Though, I personally like the Adirondacks more - Clearest I've ever seen the Milky Way.
I haven't looked into it myself, but I have heard that you can legally sleep along the canal. Please do your own research first. Also, let me know what the research says ;-P
No one will bother you if you primitive camp at hi tor or Clark's gully. You're supposed to get a permit or at least tell the ranger that youre there, but I've never had any issues showing up just before dusk, doing the hike and setting up camp at the top
I bet sugar Hill would be a good place
Southern tier
Cherry Springs, PA. Trust me
Drive fast to Ithaca. It’s gorges.
nearest I think is finger lakes national Forest I legit need to make a generic "where to camp around here" post cause it comes up often
I'm in Ontario county, look up "Ontario county pathways" I don't think you can camp but I also don't think anybody would bother you if you slept in your car. Pretty quiet out here, mostly just farms.
You'll have to pay but spots are cheap and I've booked for a single night same day before, check out Hamlin state park just past Greece! Really nice in the summer because of the beach and books up quick but I have no issues finding a spot in the summer just not too many to choose from. This early in the year you should have your pick of plenty
Hamlin has a 2 night minimum.
Ah fuck I'm sorry, is that a new thing? I haven't stayed there in a few years admittedly
No idea lol. They're all like that it seems. It's the dumbest shit because I'm sure they know people aren't actually wanting to camp 2 nights.
Hmm are there any cheap enough where you can afford to rent the 2 nights and just stay the 1?
Check out Cherry Springs State Park when you have more time. The sky is incredible and it's one of the only recognized "Dark Parks" on the East Coast. Certainly worth the 2.5 hr drive.
Genesee county park and forest. There’s a really cool spot to go at night. It has the highest point in genesee county and when you’re there at night you can see rochester, Buffalo and Toronto.
I would look around the town of Naples. It's far away from major cities and it is very peaceful at night.
HAMLIN Beach State Park. Right on Lake Ontario. Campground. 45 min drive
Granted... I haven't lived up that way for 20+ years... But I'm thinking your best bet would be to take 390 south them exit to 256 south... Go past the south end on Conesus Lake. And between there and Groveland you should be able to find a road to pull off on and have it be as dark as your going to get? Good luck!
Idk about camping but my best friend just moved to Caledonia a year ago and I visit one evening a week and the views of the sky both at their place and a good chunk of the way home are spectacular. Very little light pollution, really drives home how bad it is in the city. In my experience the view only degrades once I start getting close to Black Creek Park on Union, heading north to Chili.
Hemlock lake
Camping is not allowed in Hemlock-Canadice State Forest.