Dark Sky Destinations for a Halloween Escape

With nearly two thirds (62%)* of people considering trips to darker sky destinations, Booking.com spotlights five locations where travelers can experience a truly ‘dark’ and spellbinding Halloween like no other – from constellation gazing above Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef to watching the awe-inspiring aurora borealis (Northern Lights) illuminate the Swedish wilderness. For those new to dark sky travel, it’s worth learning about the phases of the moon (for optimal viewing conditions) and keeping local stargazing etiquette and rules in mind. A good pair of binoculars, night-sky navigation apps and plenty of layers are also worth the investment. So between trick-or-treating, crisp autumn air and celebrating the monstrous, dead and absurd this October 31, why not venture to the ‘dark side’ for a Halloween with all the magic, fantasy and thrill of stepping into the unknown that the annual celebration holds.

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

Set amongst the dramatic mountains and glacial lakes of New Zealand’s South Island, the small village of Lake Tekapo is nestled along the shores of the stunning turquoise blue waters of Lake Tekapo itself. Located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the world’s largest and most celebrated celestial viewing points, the area’s exceptionally low light pollution creates almost impossibly clear views of the stars at night. As night falls, the Milky Way stretches across the sky above, while the Southern Cross emerges crystal clear overhead. For a memorable Halloween escape, travelers can join a  Silver River stargazing experience (named after the Milky Way, also known as the ‘Silver River’) or even  soak in hot pools while gazing up at the stars. By day, the surrounding landscapes are just as dramatic, with snow-capped mountains, golden tussock (native New Zealand grass) and glacial lakes creating an almost cinematic backdrop. Once darkness descends across the town, the region takes on a mysterious and eerie feel – perfect for an atmospheric Halloween escape like no other.

Where to stay: Bunker House
Tucked into the Lake Tekapo hillside among farmland, this spacious, subterranean-style holiday home with two bedrooms and bathrooms is the perfect luxury stay for families and groups wanting an isolated dark sky retreat. The home's expansive glass front provides uninterrupted views of the starry sky at night and thousands of hectares of golden highland by day. Between stargazing, guests can curl up in front of the log burner, relax in the hot tub, gather in the fully equipped kitchen or simply embrace the darkness this October 31 and beyond.

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Surrounded by the otherworldly landscapes of Chile’s vast and arid Atacama Desert, those visiting the historic, high-altitude ‘oasis’ town of San Pedro de Atacama will feel like they’ve stepped onto another planet. Atacama is the world’s driest non-polar desert and is renowned for its exceptionally clear skies, extreme aridity and minimal light pollution, providing some of the world’s best conditions for observing the cosmos. Travelers can book a  guided astronomical tour where they’ll have the chance to use powerful telescopes to discover southern hemisphere constellations, distant galaxies and planets. During the day, San Pedro de Atacama’s surrounding geography of towering mountains and active volcanoes adds to the destination’s surreal atmosphere. Vast salt flats, volcanic peaks and sculptural rock formations of nearby Valle de la Luna, also called Moon Valley for its striking moon-like appearance, is a surreal landscape of salt, sand and rock formations shaped by wind and time, taking on a haunting lunar appearance both day and night. For the truly adventurous, local sandboarding tours are a popular and exhilarating way to experience Atacama’s flowing sand dunes, with some local operators even offering night sessions lit by the light of the moon.

Where to stay: Explora en Atacama
This multi-award-winning all-inclusive lodge in Chile's Atacama Desert offers guests 40-plus options to explore the surrounding haunting salt flats, volcanoes and dunes by foot, horseback or bicycle. The ultimate dark sky escape, guests will experience otherworldly beauty by day before stargazing beneath starlit skies from the onsite observatory by night. Just 10 minutes’ walk from San Pedro de Atacama, and with double and twin rooms and suites, it’s where cosmic mystery and eerie desert magic come alive.

Moab, Utah, USA

Surrounded by deep canyons and vast desert landscapes, Moab, a small city in eastern Utah along the Colorado River, appears almost unreal once the sun disappears. Famed for its awe-inspiring red-rock canyons by day, the region has some of the darkest night skies in the United States - a country known for its love of Halloween and array of annual celebrations. In Moab, the town comes alive for spooky season with decorating contests, costume contests and pumpkin painting. But for Halloween travelers wanting to explore the cosmos in all its wonder, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks just minutes outside of Moab offer spectacular conditions for eerily good stargazing. With certified International Dark Sky conditions, which ensure minimal light pollution and optimal viewing conditions, the parks’ high elevation and dry conditions enhance the visibility of spectacular cosmic sights such as meteor showers. Under the right conditions and with binoculars, it is even possible to spot the rings of Saturn. For the ultimate journey through the Moab night sky during the depths of Halloween and year round, travelers can book a  Professional Stargazing in Moab tour. Over two hours, attendees learn to locate seasonal triangles, constellations and visible planets while guides share stories about ancient civilizations, Greek mythology and the evolution of the cosmos – all the makings of a Halloween like no other.

Where to stay: Red Cliffs Lodge Moab
Built amongst stunning, 2000-foot red cliffs along the Colorado River, guests at this resort will think they’ve stepped right into the scene of a Western. Spacious suites and private, standalone cabins sleeping up to six, a river-front restaurant, heated outdoor swimming pool and access to local horse-riding and white-water rafting make for a truly memorable stay in Utah’s red rock country.

Kiruna, Sweden

Deep in Swedish Lapland, Sweden’s northernmost city of Kiruna offers a Halloween experience where darkness becomes the main attraction. As autumn takes hold, the nights grow longer and the Arctic wilderness surrounding the city becomes the perfect setting for searching for the Northern Lights. From September onwards, travelers have the chance to watch ribbons of green, pink and violet light sweep across the night sky, creating an eerie yet spectacular natural phenomenon that feels like something from another world. Visitors can head into the wilderness by dogsled, snowmobile or on foot in search of the aurora, with the best viewing often taking place during the late evening and early morning hours. Just outside Kiruna, Abisko National Park is renowned for its particularly favorable conditions for aurora viewing. During the day travelers can explore the remote Arctic landscape, learn about the traditions and heritage of the Indigenous Sámi people of northern Scandinavia, or visit the IceHotel in the neighboring village of Jukkasjärvi, one of the country’s most famous tourist attractions.

Where to stay: Reindeer Lodge
Experience Swedish Lapland’s magic at this authentic Kiruna stay. With family rooms in traditional Scandinavian tents and cozy cabins, guests are greeted by reindeer and the Northern Lights dancing across the sky in the mornings, with the chance to unwind with hot cocoa by the outdoor fireplace at night. With a sauna, hot tub, shared kitchen, and barbecue, the lodge is an unforgettable escape where ancient Arctic traditions meet cosmic wonder, perfect for an ethereal stay full of fairytale-like wonder.

Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Stretching along Western Australia’s remote Coral Coast, Ningaloo Reef is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, colorful coral gardens and the chance to encounter majestic local marine life, such as whale sharks, manta rays and turtles. After sunset, this World Heritage-listed destination reveals an entirely different side; with minimal light pollution and vast stretches of untouched coastal landscape, the region provides exceptional conditions for stargazing. Here, nighttime has its own kind of magic, where stunning constellations and celestial objects visible only from the Southern Hemisphere create a truly breathtaking scene, not for those traveling during Halloween but all year round. The  Ningaloo turtle watch and stargazing tour is one not to miss, offering travelers the chance to relax with a light snack and a cool drink as they watch the sunset and observe female turtle nesting habits before stargazing in Ningaloo’s unspoiled dark skies.

Where to stay:  Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Hidden in the white sand dunes of Western Australia’s Cape Range National Park, this breathtaking exclusive safari camp will leave guests in awe of its mesmerizing beachfront setting. With 15 spacious wilderness tents with ensuite bathrooms, guests sleep mere meters from the water’s edge. After days spent turtle watching and sea kayaking, guests can enjoy five-star, chef-prepared meals made with local ingredients served outdoors with clear views of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean before evenings of stargazing. 
 

* Travel Predictions 2025 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total, 27,713 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled (including 1,016 from Argentina, 1,002 from Australia, 502 from Austria, 1,003 from Belgium, 1002 from Brazil, 1,006 from Canada, 1,007 from China, 1,005 from Colombia, 501 from Croatia, 501 from Denmark, 1,011 from France, 1,009 from Germany, 1,004 from Hong Kong, 1,002 from India, 506 from Ireland, 501 from Israel, 1,014 from Italy, 1008 from Japan, 1,013 from Mexico, 1011 from The Netherlands, 1003 from New Zealand, 504 from Portugal, 508 from Singapore, 1004 from South Korea, 1,008 from Spain, 509 from Sweden, 500 from Switzerland, 507 from Taiwan, 1,009 from Thailand, 503 from the UAE, 1,012 from the UK, 1,006 from the US and 1,016 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in July-August 2024.