Backcountry hiking is great fun, but you don't need to hike out into the wilderness to find good darkness. You can instead visit an astronomy club on their way to a "dark site". Look that up and see if you can find one near you. They are usually not more than a few hours drive away, although if you are on the east coast it make take more travel time.

Or just get in your car, drive until you are really far away from anywhere, pull over, and look up. Then go find a motel.