The sky puts on an amazing show for us every night and Crawford County is an amazing place to see the stars. The county’s remote locations in the countryside provide unobstructed views of the sky and low light pollution makes them as clear as day! You can even see some stars in the early hours on clear mornings, which fade perfectly into gorgeous sunrises you’ll never forget.
Stargazing is a great date night idea and a unique activity for a friend group to enjoy, so consider grabbing food from one of our great restaurants and make it a romantic picnic or fun friends night. Or, if you and your loved ones are morning people, grab some coffee and pastries from our local coffee shops and enjoy the early dawn show!
Some great places to view the stars include Ernst Trail, a former railroad bed converted into a walking and biking trail that offers unobstructed views of the sky. Pymatuning Lake in Pymatuning State Park also offers a phenomenal view of the sky both from the water and from the shore. Some other amazing places to check out include Oil Creek State Park, Woodcock Lake State Park and Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Not only are these amazing places to see stars, but provide lots of other daytime activities such as hiking and biking trails that make it the ideal whole-day affair. Check out these places to camp to make it a full summertime getaway.
The Total Eclipse in Crawford County
Also, there’s amazing news for stargazers: the next solar eclipse is in 2024 and Crawford County is in the perfect spot to see the eclipse in totality.
On Monday, April 8, 2024 at 2:01 p.m., a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States, and Crawford County is one of the best places to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. If you’re a fan of astronomy, natural phenomena or are just looking for an unforgettable adventure, mark your calendar and plan to be in Crawford County for this monumental experience.
Crawford County is directly in the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse, making it the perfect spot to get the full eclipse experience. The total eclipse means that the Moon’s shadow will pass directly over our region, and viewers in Crawford County will experience the total eclipse for around 2 minutes and 35 seconds, the longest duration of totality on the East Coast.
Until the big day, there are many other amazing constellations that you can see while in Crawford County including:
Orion: This is one of the most recognizable constellations and is visible in the winter months. Look for the three bright stars that form Orion’s belt.
Ursa Major (The Big Dipper): This is a well-known constellation that can be seen year-round. The Big Dipper is easy to spot because it looks like a ladle.
Ursa Minor (The Little Dipper): This constellation is located close to Ursa Major and can be seen year-round as well. Look for the North Star (Polaris) at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.
Cassiopeia: This constellation is visible in the fall and winter months and looks like a W or M depending on the position of the stars.
Draco: This constellation can be seen in the summer and fall months and looks like a serpent. Look for the bright star, Vega, to help locate this constellation.
If you’re taking pictures of your findings, consider sharing them with us! You can share by direct messaging pictures to our social media accounts or tagging #VisitCrawfordCoPA in your post. We’d love to see your stargazing adventures!
View the Stars With Us
Make your stargazing experience a relaxing long weekend by engaging in some great educational opportunities such as the Drake Well Museum, John Brown Tannery, Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum and many others. For those who love outdoor activities, our state parks, including Pymatuning State Park and Oil Creek State Park, offer hiking, fishing and boating opportunities. There are also a ton of great leisure activities to enjoy in our surrounding communities such as shopping, dining, crafting and so much more. Don’t forget to check out our Events page to see what other exciting activities our community has to offer!
To make the most of your experience, consider booking your accommodations early. Crawford County has a variety of lodging options, from cozy bed & breakfasts to boutique hotels and inns, but they will likely fill up quickly as warm weather approaches.
Watching the beauty of the sky from Crawford County is an opportunity that should not be missed. With its ideal location for viewing stunning natural scenery and featuring a variety of activities for tourists, Crawford County offers an unforgettable stargazing experience for all. Don’t hesitate to plan ahead for viewing the eclipse and witness this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon in person.
Photo Credits to: Jay Witosky, Rhonda Coe, & Mike Webber