LOCAL GUIDE
Stargazing in Broken Bow
A couple's guide to the night sky in the Oklahoma pines.
Get away from city lights and the sky over Broken Bow and Hochatown fills with stars. On a clear night, you see far more than you ever do at home.
WHEN TO LOOK
Best nights for stars
Pick a night close to the new moon, since a bright moon washes out faint stars. Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust, and put your phone away.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Highlights through the year
Summer brings the Milky Way overhead on clear, moonless nights. Watch for meteor showers: the Perseids in mid-August, the Orionids in late October, and the Geminids in mid-December. Any clear night, aim the telescope at the moon's craters and bright planets.
WHERE TO WATCH
Your own private observatory
At The Wild Haven, you don't have to go anywhere. Step into your clear stargazing dome with a blanket and a bottle, or watch from the hot tub. Dress warmer than you think in fall and winter, and make a wish on the first shooting star.
PLAN YOUR STAY
The Wild Haven is an adults-only couples cabin in Hochatown with a private stargazing dome, barrel sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub. Dog-friendly, too.