Dark Skies Beckon: Southwest FloridaS Premier Stargazing spots
OKEECHOBEE, FL – Escape the city glow and witness the brilliance of the Milky Way. Southwest Florida offers accessible destinations for stargazers, with Kissimmee Prairie Preserve leading the way as the state’s first designated Dark Sky park. As light pollution increasingly obscures the night sky, preserving access to these dark havens becomes crucial for astronomical observation, astrophotography, and simply reconnecting with the cosmos.
For residents of Naples and Fort Myers seeking a celestial experience, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve presents a relatively short drive to unparalleled views. Designated by the International Dark Sky Association in 2016, the preserve actively works to minimize light pollution, offering opportunities for after-hours access to fully appreciate the night sky. This comes at a time when 80% of Americans can no longer see the Milky Way due to artificial light,according to the International Dark-Sky Association.
Located at 33104 N.W. 192nd Ave. in Okeechobee, the preserve is approximately 110 miles and a 2-hour, 18-minute drive from Fort Myers, and 146 miles (a 2-hour, 45-minute drive) from Naples.
Access to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve costs $4 per vehicle. While Florida State Parks generally close at sunset, special arrangements can be made to gain after-hours access for stargazing.Details on obtaining this access are available on the Florida State Parks website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/dark-sky-designation.
The best time to view the Milky Way in Florida is between April and September, and optimal viewing conditions require moonless nights away from light pollution. Photographers can achieve stunning results with equipment like a Canon 1DX Mark II camera, a 24-70mm lens set at 24mm, an aperture of 2.8, and an ISO of 1600, using a 30-second exposure.
