This undeveloped park is applying for official dark sky status. Seems like a good spot if you only want to drive 50 minutes from Ann Arbor.
Dark Sky Viewing:
- First weekend of each month, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, for the months March through November
- International Dark Sky Week
- Earth Day
Amenities:
100 acres of public recreation use. A 1.3-mile trail system provides opportunities for users to experience high-quality natural areas, scenic views, and wildlife and its habitat while at the same time passing by farm fields.
Also available are picnic tables, benches, nature interpretive signs, trail head display, a parking area and restroom (location is unconfirmed).
For astronomy, it’s pretty much a 6-car parking lot and open area.
Web site: https://milivcounty.gov/parks/lutz/
Pros: Pretty dark for southern Michigan, could be good for aurora, meteors, open skies, relatively close.
Cons: Safety? Web site claims there’s a bathroom, but it’s unconfirmed.
Directions: