I used to go backpacking out in the middle of nowhere, miles from any city or town. The night sky is amazing, but nothing like what is shown in long-exposure pictures of the milky way.

Not that anyone asked, but it doesn't look like this:

It's more like this, and it needs to be a moonless night:

All I'm saying is, if this is on your bucket list, be prepared for the reality, or you might be a little disappointed. Still very much worth seeing, though.