The Northshore is known for its sunsets, especially over Lake Pontchartrain, but once the colors fade into a clear night, you'll want to head north to Folsom, which offers some of the clearest, quietest night skies in southeast Louisiana. Tucked into the parish’s highest terrain, this rural community is an easy escape for anyone looking to slow down, breathe in the dark and look up at a sky full of stars.
Astro-tourism is growing across the country as travelers seek places where the night sky still feels big. In Folsom, that sense of wonder is as close as a short, scenic drive north.
What Makes Folsom Ideal for Stargazing
Derek Wohltmann photo
A Small but Mighty Elevation Advantage
Folsom sits on the highest ground in St. Tammany Parish but its elevation—it's only 157 feet—is not its why stargazers love it. Folsom is far enough from commercial lighting to offer noticeably darker skies. The Bortle scale—a measure of night-sky brightness—drops from Class 6 in Covington to Class 4 in Folsom, a meaningful jump for stargazers. For comparison, a Class 1 dark-sky site—considered the darkest possible—would be someplace like Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas or Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
Rural Charm
Horse farms, narrow roads and forested hills keep the area naturally dim and beautifully quiet.
Low Lighting Impact
With little development and no nearby cities, artificial light stays low. For visitors traveling from New Orleans or Slidell (both Class 9), the shift to Folsom’s Class 4 sky feels dramatic.
Peaceful Ambience
The countryside adds its own soundtrack—crickets, leaves rustling in the dark, the occasional owl—making the night sky feel even larger.
What You Can See in the Skies
Orion constellation, Derek Wohltmann photo
While the full arc of the Milky Way isn’t visible, portions of it can appear on clear, moonless nights. Expect:
- Bright constellations like Orion, Ursa Major and Cassiopeia
- Planets including Venus, Jupiter and Mars (a handy tip: stars twinkle, planets don’t)
- Major meteor showers such as the Perseids and Geminids
- Moon phases casting soft light across the fields
- Flyovers by the International Space Station
- Satellites cruising steadily; they don’t blink like aircraft, though reflective ones such as Starlink can occasionally flare
Rosette nebula, Derek Wohltmann photo
Scenic Journeys to Folsom
Lush woods north of Covington, draped in Rosa laevigata vines (Roberta Carrow Jackson photo)
Getting there is part of the appeal. First, it's just one hour north of New Orleans' French Quarter, making it a great overnight on a Crescent City getaway. Roads wind through pine woods, open fields, and rolling hills, offering glimpses of a quieter Northshore landscape. Whether you’re coming from Covington, Bush or farther south, the drive sets the mood for an evening that stretches out wide.
Where to Stay: Cabins, Cottages and Rural Retreats
The Stables at Giddy Up photo
Folsom is full of private hideaways perfect for dark-sky evenings. Look for rentals with big yards, open pastures, porches or decks, fire pits or hot tubs, and peaceful surroundings set far back from bright lights. Just steps from The Giddy Up are its equestrian-themed Airbnb rentals, The Stables, where rustic details meet modern amenities across three cozy units in two adjacent houses.
Find more places to stay in Folsom and nearby towns.
Where to Eat
Gus's Restaurant
Some easygoing local favorites include:
- The Giddy Up — A community hub with coffee, comfort food, live music, conversation and special events
- Geaux Pizza & Wings — Fresh-made pizzas, wings, sandwiches and pastas; part of the Efrain Bermudez family of restaurants (Valencia and EmpaTaco in Madisonville, Covington and Lacombe)
- Roux 25 — A contemporary American bistro with French-inspired dishes, known for chef-driven specials, creative small plates and a polished cocktail and wine program.
- Gus's Restaurant — A large breakfast menu, po-boys, hamburgers, and plate lunches and dinners.
Giddy Up Folsom
Check out our Culinary Scene for more of Folsom's eateries.
Make it a Real Getaway: Daytime Activities and Attractions
Pair your nighttime adventure with a day of exploring around Folsom.
Family-Friendly Fun
Global Wildlife Center — More than 900 acres of free-roaming wildlife where guests ride safari wagons to feed giraffes, zebras, camels and other species.
Bogue Chitto State Park — Just north in Franklinton, offering hiking, mountain biking, tubing, horseback riding and more.
Local Arts & Culture
Studios, galleries and small-town shops featuring handmade work and regional craft traditions.
Outdoor Exploration
Peaceful forest walks, birding along migratory flyways and quiet trails invite you to linger, and with a little planning, you can also visit one of the area’s two hippotherapy centers—New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center and Healing with Horses Louisiana—each a meaningful part of the Northshore’s cultural and wellness landscape.
Tips for Stargazing in Folsom
- Bring a blanket, reclining chair or hammock
- Use a red-light flashlight to protect night vision (go hands-free with a headlamp with red-light feature)
- Check moon phases and cloud conditions before heading out
- Download a stargazing app to help identify what you’re seeing
- Avoid bright lights—light pollution grows about 10 percent each year, and protecting the darkness makes the sky stand out more
- Give your eyes at least 20-30 minutes to adapt to the dark (keep that cell phone in your pocket!)
- For clear-sky and cloud forecasts, consult the National Weather Service at weather.gov.
- For moon phases, consult the NWS astronomical tables at weather.gov/fsd/astro.
Why Folsom Belongs on Your Nighttime Bucket List
Comet Tsuchinshan, Derek Wohltmann photo
Folsom offers the kind of night sky people don’t realize they’ve been missing until they stand beneath it. With its rolling hills, rural quiet and surprising clarity, it’s one of Louisiana’s most rewarding places to rediscover the stars.
Tag your night-sky photos with #NorthshoreStargazing to share your favorite views.
If you’d like local tips, sky-tour guidance or astrophotography help, reach out to Derek Wohltmann, a Northshore-based visual astronomer and astrophotographer offering private sessions, lessons and equipment advice.
Many thanks to Derek, who contributed not only great astrophotography to this article but provided an insider's knowledge.
Happy stargazing!
Abandoned tugboat on Lake Pontchartrain near Madisonville, Derek Wohltmann photo
