11 Breathtaking Geodomes In The USA For Sleeping Under The Stars
Though traditional accommodations come in the form of hotels and homes, there's a new type whose unique shape lends itself to the whole experience: geodomes. Geodomes are dome-shaped structures with glass walls and ceilings that help travelers immerse themself in nature, offering sweeping views from sunrise to the night sky, enjoyable from the comfort of their bed. Dark sky tourism is on the rise in the U.S. as travelers seek unplugged experiences where they can escape and reconnect with nature.
Geodomes have emerged as an accommodation that puts stargazing at the forefront of the experience, letting travelers immerse themselves in the natural landscape without sacrificing comfort. Many of today's geodomes come with king-sized beds, climate control, telescopes, firepits, and more that can handle Alaska's wintery nights or Texas's summer heat.
Based on several articles, traveler reviews, and a search for the best geodomes in the U.S., this list includes plenty of options across a range of price points, locations, amenities, and experiences.
Clear Sky Resorts, Grand Canyon, Arizona and Bryce Canyon, Utah
Clear Sky Resorts is a luxurious getaway for those wanting to connect with nature alongside the U.S.'s most iconic canyons. With two locations in Grand Canyon, Arizona, and Bryce Canyon, Utah, these geodomes are fully equipped with amenities. The Grand Canyon location is a 25-minute drive south of the South Rim entrance. It features several domes with different themes, including pink unicorn and rainbow, '80s video games, British secret agent, and space galaxy. It also has standard domes without themed decor.
The Bryce Canyon domes are located about a 20-minute drive from Utah's best stargazing in Bryce Canyon National Park. Rates start at $296.25 per night at the time of writing, and there are domes available for two or four people. They're outfitted with climate control, a private patio, coffee and tea, a mini fridge, a microwave, towels, a private bathroom, and Wi-Fi. More deluxe domes have private fireplaces, a secluded enclave for better stargazing, and music sound systems and a dance floor in the disco-themed domes.
Each location has a main dome, with a gift shop at the Grand Canyon location and a restaurant at the Bryce Canyon location. The main dome at both sites also hosts live music and wellness activities, such as yoga, to do during the day while you're waiting to enjoy sunset views and bright starry nights in the evening. One reviewer on TripAdvisor called these domes a "cathedral ceiling to the stars" and enjoyed the free s'mores by the campfire with live music. Another reviewer said, "they have plenty of activities for the kiddos and also for couples. There was a live performer at night and a guided telescope tour of the night skies."
Borealis Basecamp, Alaska
Borealis Basecamp, located less than an hour's drive outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, is the ultimate geodome resort in one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights and endless starry skies. Packed with luxurious amenities, once-in-a-lifetime activities, and views for miles thanks to the dark skies of remote Alaska, this resort is jam-packed with features to make your trip special.
Borealis Basecamp offers three types of accommodation: igloos, cubes, and cube suites. Cubes and cube suites have floor-to-ceiling windows for clear, unobstructed views of the night sky, but for travelers looking for the unique geodome experience, be sure to book an igloo. Igloos have the signature dome shape with clear, 12-foot ceilings for 360-degree views. They're equipped with a full bathroom, comfortable beds, a beverage bar, bathroom toiletries, and Wi-Fi. And if you're worried about missing the Northern Lights because of their elusiveness and late-night hours, don't be. The hotel lets you sign up to be woken up if the lights are out.
While at the resort, guests can book an Alaska sled dog ride, a UTV/snowmobile tour, an aurora photography tour, a sunset snowcoach tour, a photoshoot with the Northern Lights, experiences to walk with reindeer, a helicopter tour, an Arctic Circle driving tour, a hot springs tour, and a sauna experience. Some of these activities are restricted by age, weather, availability, or season. Many of those who stayed at Borealis Basecamp call it a "bucketlist experience" in their TripAdvisor reviews. "At night the magic happens. Nothing can describe the magnitude of the aurora borealis from a mountaintop resort with your own private igloo," said one reviewer, while another raved that "everything about this lodge is catered to ensure we were well taken care of."
StarStruck Glamping, Big Bend, Texas
Located in the world's largest Dark Sky Certified place in the world, Starstruck Glamping is one of the premier places for endless stars. Take a drive 3 miles off the main road to reach these remote domes spread across 80 private acres in Big Bend, which ensure minimal light pollution for optimal stargazing — be that from a cozy bed inside the dome, at Big Bend Observatory, or somewhere in the reserve.
Each dome comes outfitted with a mini fridge, Wi-Fi, climate control, a full bathroom, an outdoor kitchen and dining setup, and a fire pit. The domes also come with a telescope so visitors can get close-up views of their favorite planets and a 30-minute stargazing audio guide. Domes cost around $250 to $600 at the time of writing, depending on the time of year, day of the week, and the size of the dome. Only four domes can house up to two or four guests.
Yelp reviewers rave about the gorgeous 360-degree views of sunrises, sunsets, and the stars, but also advise other travelers of a few things to keep in mind. For example, visitors must bring their own drinking water, though the running water there is fine for washing dishes. Also, because the domes are solar-powered, travelers should turn off the AC and close the full curtain if they venture out during the day to avoid draining the power and prevent the dome from getting too hot.
Quail Wash Retreat, Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best national parks in America for stargazing, according to visitor reviews, and is a certified International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. For those wanting to maximize their night sky views, look no further than Quail Wash Retreat. Spread across 25 acres, this property is home to the Luxe Boho House and the Geodesic Star Dome. The dome has soaring, 20-foot ceilings, a king-sized bed, and is climate-controlled to make visitors' stays in the desert comfortable, all just about an hour's drive outside of Palm Springs.
The dome has plenty of details and amenities to help travelers feel right at home. Guests are welcomed by complimentary bourbon and coffee. The outdoor space is fully decked out to take wellness to the next level, with a sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, outdoor shower, fenced outdoor area, gas-powered fire pit, and hammock. To enhance the stargazing experience, the dome comes with a Vespera 3 smart telescope. This smart telescope includes an app that lets users point to the celestial body they want to see, take photos, autofocus, and even stack live images to create astrophotographs.
Quail Wash's prices change depending on the season and time of week, but prices range from around $600 to $960 per night, at the time of writing. Joshua Tree hosts several dark sky events throughout the year, including an annual Night Sky Festival, stargazing tours, and even a stargazing sound bath.
Glamping Collective, Asheville, North Carolina
Perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville, the Glamping Collective's Ultra Luxe Domes combine luxury with nature for miles of gorgeous panoramic views and expansive starry skies. Each 23-foot dome offers 400 square feet of interior space, outfitted with a king-sized bed, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. But the outdoor space steals the show. Guests not only have clear views of the stars and mountains, but can enjoy them from their private hot tub, fire table, or outdoor dining table. The property also has a communal area for all guests to enjoy, complete with a large fire pit, an outdoor grill, picnic tables, and games.
Guests who venture beyond the dome have 5 miles of private hiking trails throughout the property and an additional 10 miles of trails open to the public in the surrounding area. One of the hikes takes visitors up 4,334 feet to the summit with 40-mile panoramic views, perfect for sunrise or sunset.
The property boasts over 2,000 five-star reviews, with one reviewer on Airbnb writing, "The dome we stayed in was fun, romantic, modern & had amazing views. The views from inside the dome were absolutely breathtaking. The hot tub facing the mountains was definitely a highlight." At the time of writing, the domes cost over $600 per night.
The Kosmic Tortoise, Joshua Tree, California
For an intimate desert dome experience, the Kosmic Tortoise sits only about 10 minutes from the Twentynine Palms entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. Only two domes on the property ensure an intimate experience; both are solar-powered, air-conditioned, and have private bathrooms. They also come with Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, a grill, complimentary bottled water, coffee, and hot chocolate, and a fire pit. The domes each can accommodate two people on a queen bed, but an additional inflatable twin bed is available for a third guest.
The owners live on-property, so they can respond to requests quickly and easily while still giving guests plenty of privacy. The domes are close to Twentynine Palms, California's up-and-coming city with artsy attractions, so visitors can enjoy nature and unobstructed views while staying close to restaurants, shops, and more.
Prices range from $165 to $239 per night, depending on whether you book directly or through Airbnb and what nights you're booking. One reviewer on Airbnb said, "This stay was truly unforgettable! The dome is absolutely beautiful and was one of the highlights of my road trip. It was the perfect place to disconnect, relax, and enjoy nature."
White Camel, Kanab, Utah
White Camel sits at the epicenter of some amazing stargazing sites, making it the perfect place to stay for a variety of experiences, all close to the scenic, laid-back western town of Kanab. With access to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Sand Caves, Jackson Flat Reservoir, and more, visitors can make the most of their visit to the Southwest. These geodomes include a full kitchen, a grill, a private outdoor space, a private bathroom, climate control, a telescope, and a fire pit.
Kanab, Utah, has a ton to do, whether it's visiting one of the jaw-dropping natural sites in the vicinity or checking out Kanab's local shops and restaurants. The domes are only about an hour and a half from the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park, and just over an hour to Zion National Park, two of the most beautiful national parks in the country, making them the perfect day trip destinations. For shorter trips, the domes are about a 15-minute drive from Jackson Flat Reservoir, the Sand Caves, and the Kanab Dinosaur Tracks.
White Camel has dozens of five-star reviews on Airbnb, with one guest noting, "Had never stayed in a dome before and loved it so much we booked for another night. Loved using the telescope-we saw craters on the moon and the stars were amazing. Shower was probably one of the best I've ever had anywhere. Wonderful experience." The domes cost $573 nightly at the time of writing.
Pagosa River Domes, Colorado
As the first geodesic dome destination in Colorado, the Pagosa River Domes give a front-row seat to the banks of the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. These 14 domes have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a JBL speaker, a private patio, king- or queen-sized beds, an electric fireplace, a kitchenette, a gas fire pit, and a hammock.
For those seeking stargazing, the local Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado's 20th International Dark Sky Park, hosts plenty of night sky tours and events, or you can just visit the park on your own. Because the park has an altitude of 7,200 feet, it gives clear, milky views of a blanket of stars and is the perfect place for astrophotographers or families to learn about the night sky. There are events led by astronomers with telescopes to educate the public.
Pagosa Springs is also known for its famous hot springs, located within the Springs Resort. It's also a great spot for stargazing. The resort offers day passes for $74 to $433 per day, depending on the package. It's only about a 5-minute drive from the Pagosa River Domes, so it's perfect for a day trip. Pagosa River Domes cost $249 to $279 per night at the time of writing. One traveler on TripAdvisor said, "The Domes made for a perfect location for our Pagosa Springs stay. With hiking, hot springs and mountain drives on our menu, this location gave us easy access to all. Coming back each evening to a perfect and private deck attached to our dome, we unwound with the fire pit and the great star gazing."
Two Capes Lookout, Oregon
Two hours outside Portland, Two Capes Lookout sits on 58 private acres wedged between Cape Kiwanda and Cape Lookout on the Oregon coast, surrounded by rust-red sandstone cliffs and scenic ocean views. The property features mirror cabins and domes, both with stunning views. Though getting to the accommodations requires a bit of a hike, which the property warns can be challenging in the dark, they assure guests that the privacy they experience is worth it. The domes feature climate control, Wi-Fi, an electric fireplace, a work desk, a fridge, an outdoor patio, and a fire pit. There are communal bathrooms.
The property offers a lot of amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. There are mountain biking cleaning stations and repair kits, dog packages that include a bed, bowls, and a welcome treat, and a s'mores kit. In the surrounding area, when visitors aren't enjoying sweeping views of the ocean or the stars, they can rent kayaks on the Nestucca River, climb the dunes at Cape Kiwanda, hike through Bob Straub State Park, go fishing or wildlife watching, and learn about local history through a guided tour.
Reviewers loved the seclusion that the property offers, and one reviewer even said that "the rain and clouds cleared around 3 a.m., revealing a star-filled sky worthy of a Van Gogh painting. Mesmerizing. Did I mention the little window above the bed you can open for fresh air or to take in the stars whilst staying cozy under the covers?" The domes cost $350 to $400 per night.
The Summit, Big Bend, Texas
The Summit at Big Bend has an incredible, unique experience for night sky enthusiasts, featuring three different types of geodomes, cave rooms, and two houses sprawled across 1,000 acres of private land. The geodomes come in three sizes: Stargazing Domes, Super Stargazing Domes, and the Stargazer Deluxe Suites, all located in a beautiful, under-the-radar gem that is Big Bend National Park.
Each has its own fire pit and free firewood, Wi-Fi, a king-size bed, climate control, a coffee maker, a mini fridge, a grill, towels, linens, and stunning views of the desert. The bathrooms are communal. The Stargazing Domes sleep two people and cost $199 to $353 per night, depending on the time of year or night of the week. The Super Stargazing Domes sleep four people on a king-sized bed and a sleeper sofa, and cost $199 to $353 per night. The Stargazer Deluxe Suites, the largest selection, sleep four people but are twice the size of the Super Stargazing Domes. These have a private bathroom and shower inside the dome, an upstairs loft, a king-sized bed, a sleeper sofa, and the other amenities included with the other domes. They cost around $275 to $375 per night, depending on the night of the week.
Reviews of The Summit at Big Bend on Trip Advisor raved about the clear skies and the luxurious feeling of the domes. One traveler said, "My friends and I absolutely loved our time at the Summit. The Super Stargazing dome was spacious, clean and very comfortable. The bathhouse was also very well kept. We laid out on the hammocks and watched the stars for hours – the sky was so clear and we saw shooting stars!"
The Domes Nature Retreat, New Mexico
The Domes Nature Retreat in New Mexico offers two geodomes for travelers on a private 34-acre property for ultimate privacy, peace, and seclusion. Equipped with a kitchen, living room, common areas, an in-house art gallery and gift shop, and a wrap-around deck, these geodomes are a great place to stay in nature while visiting attractions such as White Sands National Park, only about an hour's drive away.
This place is perfect for those who want a simple, relaxing trip where they can unplug, spend time with their loved ones or get some alone time, and take in the gorgeous scenery. The property has books and games, and the property does have Wi-Fi for those who do need to access the internet. The owners only rent the property to one group at a time, so the booking includes both domes and the whole property for ultimate privacy. It costs $212.50 per night at the time of writing. There is a $53 pet fee. The property can accommodate up to 15 people.
One reviewer on Yelp said, "The Domes Nature Retreat was quite literally, a breath of fresh air! My family and I went to get some time away from the city and it was so refreshing. Sometimes it's hard to think of life without technology and all that it entails but without phones, computers, video games etc, I learned my 5 year old truly enjoys puzzles."