The Best Telescopes for Camping in 2024: Our Top Picks for Stargazing Under Dark Skies
Whether you’re an avid astronomy enthusiast or just getting into the hobby, looking at the stars while camping is something everyone can enjoy. While we understand that there are limitations as to what kind of astronomy equipment one can bring camping, we have configured a set of guidelines that help narrow down your options. Each of the telescopes on this list are capable of providing stunning sights of a wide range of celestial wonders, from the planets, the Moon, and even deep space objects. Take advantage of dark skies with our list of the top telescopes for camping!
Our telescope recommendations follow these guidelines to give you the ultimate stargazing experience while camping under the stars:
- Must be usable on non-level ground
- Lightweight and portable
- Can fit easily into a 4-door sedan
- Assembly and disassembly quick and easy
- Larger aperture to take advantage of the dark skies
- Limited or no power necessary
Celestron NexStar 8SE
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope Bundle -
As the largest telescope on this list, the NexStar 8SE is sure to make your camping trips unforgettable with the awe-inspiring views it provides. With 8” of aperture and 2032 mm focal length, this powerhouse of a scope delivers outstanding sights of faint deep sky objects, with even the green hues of the Orion Nebula visible under dark enough skies. This Celestron telescope, mount and all, weighs just over 30 lbs., meaning it’s easy to pack away amongst your camping gear. Also, the tried-and-true NexStar SE mount is effortless to operate, and gives you access to a whopping 40,000+ celestial objects!
✓ Large 8” aperture for bright, detailed views
âś“ Reliable GoTo capabilities with the powerful NexStar SE mount
âś“ Weighs ~30 lbs. for easy transport
Recommended accessories
Celestron NexStar 6SE
Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope Bundle -
This Celestron NexStar 6SE is our next pick for the best camping telescope for a few different reasons. Mainly due to the best aperture to size ratio, while also being incredibly reliable. The stable tripod minimizes vibrations, and the 6” mirror is perfect for viewing galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and plenty more. With the ability to peer into deep space while also having a lower weight, this package offers everything one would want in a computerized telescope for camping under the stars!
âś“ Provides a great balance between portability and size of mirror
âś“ Fully computerized with 40,000 objects to choose from
âś“ Incredibly reliable and consistently accurate for viewing many objects per viewing session
Recommended accessories
Celestron NexStar 4SE
Celestron NexStar 4SE Telescope Bundle -
Keeping with the reliability of the Celestron NexStar SE series, this fully computerized package offers everything the more expensive models offer, but in a considerably more compact system. The 4" aperture Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design will give you access to nearly everything in the Messier catalog, not to mention planets and the Moon!
âś“ The 4SE is the most portable of the visual scopes on this list
âś“ Maksutov-Cassegrain design really delivers great contrast and color on the planets and stars
âś“ A great value when paired with the versatility and performance of the SE mount
Recommended accessories
Celestron NexStar 130 SLT
Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Ultimate Telescope Bundle -
Equipped with a fully GoTo single fork arm mount and a 130 mm Newtonian, this Celestron NexStar 130 SLT is a wonderful choice for your camping trip! The optical tube assembly features 5” of aperture, delivering stunning sights of a plethora of celestial objects—especially under the dark skies of campsites. The entire system weighs less than 20 lbs., making transportation a breeze. Not only is setup quick and easy, but this system comes standard with two eyepieces, a red dot finder, and a sturdy tripod to rest everything atop.
✓ High quality 5” Newtonian for incredible views
âś“ Easily portable with a total weight of less than 20 lbs.
âś“ Quick and painless setup
Recommended accessories
Tech-Enhanced Camping with Smart Telescopes
While the telescopes listed above provide an immersive visual experience, if you’re wanting to capitalize on the dark skies of your campsite for astrophotography, we have you covered! With our top picks for smart-device assisted astrophotography, the ZWO Seestar and the Vaonis Hestia, you can capture stunning images of a plethora of celestial objects to share with friends and family. These two telescopes are extremely portable with their small, lightweight frames, require no manual alignment, feature intuitive app interfaces, and deliver awe-inspiring results.
ZWO Seestar S50
ZWO Seestar S50 All-in-One Smart Telescope -
Encapsulating optics, a camera, electronics, and a mount into a singular unit, this ZWO Seestar makes observing the night sky incredibly easy! This small, yet mighty smart telescope is to be operated using your smart device. Simply set your Seestar on the ground, power up the Seestar app, and choose from thousands of objects to observe. Once you’ve made your selection, this smart telescope will automatically find and center your desired target—providing you with stunning images displayed on your smart device. Weighing less than 7 lbs. and coming complete with its own carrying case, the ZWO Seestar is the perfect grab-and-go telescope for your camping trip!
âś“ Automatic GoTo without any necessary alignment
âś“ Small, lightweight, and compact
âś“ Easily operated with your smart device
Recommended accessories
Vaonis Hestia
Vaonis Hestia Standard Package -
Taking your smartphone and turning it into a powerful smart telescope, the Vaonis Hestia makes observing the night sky more accessible than ever before! This device features a 30 mm lens, that, when paired with your smartphone, offers 25x the magnification of your smartphone’s camera alone. Simply align your smartphone with the Hestia, power up the intuitive Vaonis Gravity app, and you’re well equipped for unforgettable nights under the stars. Not only can you take breathtaking images of the Moon, but the planets and deep space objects are well within your reach. If you’re interested in solar imaging with the Hestia and your smartphone, check out the Hestia Ulitmate Package or the Hestia Solar Package we carry here at High Point. Compatible with just about any smartphone, the Hestia opens the doors to unforgettable nights under the stars for years to come!
âś“ Utilizes your smart device for astroimaging, providing timeless fun
âś“ Compatible with just about any smart device
âś“ Weighs less than 2 lbs., (including the tripod)
Recommended accessories
With these top picks for the best telescopes for camping, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience under dark skies. Not only are these telescopes easy to use and easy to set up, but they’re powerful in performance, ensuring you’ll get the most out of your nights under the stars!
Click the arrow above to see MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style citations.
MLA:
High Point Scientific Team. "Best Telescopes for Camping," AstronomyHub, High Point Scientific, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-camping.
APA:
High Point Scientific Team. (2024, October 23). Best telescopes for camping. High Point Scientific. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-camping
Chicago Manual of Style:
Bibliography:
High Point Scientific Team. "Best Telescopes for Camping," AstronomyHub (blog), High Point Scientific, October 23, 2024. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-camping.
Footnote:
High Point Scientific Team, "Best Telescopes for Camping," AstronomyHub, High Point Scientific, October 23, 2024. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-camping.
This Article was Originally Posted on June 5th, 2021
