This directory lists certified dark sky places across the United States and Canada: parks, sanctuaries, reserves and communities recognized by DarkSky International (opens in new tab) for meeting its outdoor lighting and sky-quality standards, plus provincial dark-sky sites tracked by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (opens in new tab). Each listing links to its certifying body and shows the year it was certified, so you can find a genuinely dark sky within a reasonable drive rather than guessing from a map. Browse by state or province, then check /moon for the best night this month and /events for anything worth timing your trip around. For a province-by-province rundown of Canadian sites specifically, see our dark sky preserves in Canada guide.
Updated October 29, 2026
AMC Maine Woods is an International Dark Sky Park in Maine, certified in 2021. Three AMC lodges with cabins operate inside it: Medawisla, Gorman Chairback and Little Lyford, and they offer celestial programming. The park sits at the edge of the North Maine Woods, a largely uninhabited forest of more than 14,000 square kilometers stretching from Monson to the Canadian border.
Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area is a 4,800-acre natural area southwest of Calgary, Alberta, designated a nocturnal preserve in 2015. It is run as a day-use area, so confirm after-dark access before you go. Staff hold Lunar Walks and Star Nights and join the Dark Sky Country program with Rothney Astrophysical Observatory and RASC Calgary Centre; dates are on the events calendar.
Antelope Basecamp is a cabin and camping property in Antelope, Oregon, certified as DarkSky Approved Lodging in 2025. It rents A-frame cabins with two twin beds (some without running water), three partial-hookup RV sites and tent sites, with self check-in. The site advertises clear views of the Milky Way, constellations and meteor showers from a quiet high desert valley.
Antelope Island State Park is an island park in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round, so plan to leave by closing time or book a cottage, primitive site, RV site or tent pad. Drones are banned March through November, and rideshares do not pick up here, so bring a car.
Antelope is a high desert town of 37 residents in Oregon, listed by DarkSky as a Dark Sky Community in 2024. The town's website says you can see the Milky Way from Main Street, and describes Antelope as a former stage stop between The Dalles and Canyon City. For a bed, Antelope Basecamp rents cabins and campsites on Main Street.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a desert park in eastern San Diego County, California, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. Quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and day visitors must leave by 10 p.m., so camp if you want to stay out late. Drones are prohibited; the visitor center at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs (760-767-4205) can tell you about current night programs.
Apache Junction Municipal Complex is the city hall campus in Apache Junction, Arizona, certified for dark-sky lighting in 2026. At 300 E Superstition Boulevard, the city keeps a City Hall Campus Light Management Plan and has reached Level 2 DarkSky certification across its parks, including Prospector Park and Superstition Shadows Park. It is a lighting example in town rather than a remote observing site.
Arches National Park is a red rock park near Moab, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. The park service suggests Balanced Rock Picnic Area, the Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint and Panorama Point, and says skies get darker the farther north you drive from Moab. Ranger-led stargazing events appear on a southeast Utah calendar; plan around the new moon.
Au Diable Vert is a mountain lodge in Glen Sutton, Quebec, about 1h30 from Montreal or Sherbrooke, with DarkSky Approved Lodging status. Stays range from treehouses and pod cabins to rustic cabins, plus summer camping. It runs a stargazing show called ObservÉtoiles (advance tickets), and its open fields suit your own telescope or binoculars.
Badlands National Park in southwestern South Dakota became an International Dark Sky Park in 2025. Rangers lead night sky programs year-round, and the free Badlands Astronomy Festival each July sets up telescope lines at the Cedar Pass Campground amphitheater. Cedar Pass Campground has 96 sites near the visitor center, and primitive Sage Creek Campground on the North Unit's west side is free and first come.
Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve is a dark-sky preserve in Alberta, designated in 2006, that includes Elk Island National Park. The park is open all day, every day, so you can visit at any hour of the night. Parks Canada limits artificial lighting there, offers stargazing programs, and warns that the Astotin Lake area can be breezy and cold after dark.
Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is a dark sky sanctuary on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, Michigan, certified in 2024. It covers 9,195.5 acres of the research area plus 230 acres at Miller's Marsh, at 29200 West Side Road, Beaver Island. Vehicle access on the island is limited, so check how you will get around before you go.
Bee Cave, a city in the Texas Hill Country, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2023. It earned the status by adopting outdoor lighting standards that limit unnecessary lighting and favor dark-sky-friendly fixtures. This is a town rather than a park with a gate, so watch the city's announcements for public night sky events.
Beverly Shores, a small Lake Michigan town in northwest Indiana, was named an International Dark Sky Community in 2014. Lighting rules there date to 1983, and Indiana Dunes National Park surrounds the town on three sides. Nearby Kemil Beach has the only parking lot at the park that stays open 24 hours, so it is the easiest late-night viewing spot; bring a red light.
Big Bend National Park is a Rio Grande border park in far West Texas, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2012. The park service says it has the darkest night skies of any national park in the lower 48, and rangers and volunteers run free night sky programs such as star parties and moonlight walks. There are four developed campgrounds plus backcountry camping, and the park sits at the end of the road.
Big Bend Ranch State Park is a remote Texas state park along the Rio Grande, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. Camping is drive-up or hike-in primitive, with lodging at the Sauceda Bunkhouse, and free Night Sky Explorer Packs can be checked out. The only interior route is a 27-mile dirt road from FM 170, so allow time to drive in; Terlingua and Lajitas are nearest to the east entrance.
Big Cypress National Preserve is a swamp preserve in southern Florida, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. The National Park Service describes it as protecting a beautiful night sky, and it has eight campgrounds. Ranger activities listed include discovery hikes, boardwalk talks and canoe programs; check the preserve's calendar for any night sky events (239-695-2000).
Big Park, also called the Village of Oak Creek, is an unincorporated Arizona community certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2016. It lies in Yavapai County about 7 miles south of Sedona and 110 miles north of Phoenix, among red rocks and pinon and juniper forest. Trails from the village lead into Coconino National Forest.
Bisbee, a former mining town in Cochise County, Arizona, became an International Dark Sky Community in 2024. Volunteers worked about six years on the application, and the city is converting municipal lights to dark-sky compliant fixtures. About 5 miles north of the Mexican border, Bisbee has mostly fair weather for Milky Way viewing; the Bisbee Dark Skies group is the contact for local events.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. The park never closes, so you can stargaze at any hour from South Rim overlooks such as Chasm View and Dragon Point, or North Rim spots like Kneeling Camel. Summer programs include telescope nights; South Rim Campground takes reservations and North Rim sites are first come.
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area is a dark sky sanctuary in West Texas, certified in 2021, next to Big Bend National Park. The 103,000-acre area lies about 55 miles south of Marathon, 18 miles down FM 2627. Camping is allowed only at designated sites, and the only restroom is at the headquarters campsite, so bring water and all supplies.
Black Mesa State Park is in the Oklahoma panhandle near Kenton, certified as a dark sky park in 2025. The park has RV sites with water and electric plus tent sites; reserve at 877-657-2757. The nearby nature preserve is open dawn to dusk only and has no camping, so plan night viewing at the state park, about 15 miles away.
Blanco is a Texas Hill Country town certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2022. Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky measures sky darkness with meters around the county, gives away 2700K LED bulbs to residents and businesses, and holds open monthly meetings. The group's website has lighting guides and a county light pollution map.
Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre is a school-board outdoor education site near Wiarton, Ontario, designated a dark-sky preserve in 2012. It is home to the E.S. Fox Observatory, run in partnership with the Bluewater Astronomical Society. Public night schedules are not posted on the centre's page, so check the society's website or contact the centre before you drive out.
Bluff is a small town in San Juan County, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2025. The town hosts the Bluff Dark Sky Festival each November with stargazing, a Navajo storyteller and Western and Indigenous astronomers. Desert roads can wash out after storms, so check UDOT road conditions and avoid flooded washes.
Bon Accord is a town of about 1,500 north of Edmonton, Alberta, certified as a Dark Sky Community in 2015. The town office is at 5025 50th Avenue and lists a dedicated Dark Sky Community page on its website. Its event calendar shows no regular stargazing events, so call the office at 780-921-3550 for current observing information.
Borrego Springs is a desert town in San Diego County, California, certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2009. It sits inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, whose visitor center is at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive. Day visitors in the park must leave by 10 p.m., and campgrounds there take reservations.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a million-acre canoe wilderness in northeastern Minnesota, certified as a dark sky sanctuary in 2020. It lies within the 3-million-acre Superior National Forest, which borders Canada and Lake Superior. The Forest Service has a permit page, so check conditions and book an entry permit before you go.
Browns Canyon National Monument is a 21,589-acre canyon monument in Chaffee County, Colorado, certified as a dark sky place in 2024. Ruby Mountain and Hecla Junction have campgrounds, and access is by unpaved roads; Forest Service Road 1434A is gated December 1 to April 15. Salida holds the visitor center where annual passes are sold.
Bruce Peninsula National Park is a Lake Huron park near Tobermory, Ontario, designated a dark-sky preserve in 2009. The park invites campers to sleep under the night sky at Cyprus Lake Campground. The visitor centre is at 120 Chi sin tib dek Road in Tobermory; call 519-596-2233 for night programs.
Bruneau Dunes State Park is a sand dune park near Mountain Home, Idaho, certified as a dark sky park in 2024. Its observatory has a 25-inch telescope, which the park calls Idaho's largest for public viewing, and winter programs run Saturday nights November through February. Camping has 82 serviced and 35 standard sites plus two cabins; day-use areas close at 10 p.m. and the elevation is 2,470 feet.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a hoodoo-filled park in southern Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. The park service highlights its dark skies and lists ranger programs and full moon hikes, where you watch the moon rise on a ranger-led walk. One area of the park sits at about 8,000 feet, so bring warm layers for night viewing.
Buffalo National River is a river park in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Campgrounds line the river, with fees, and pavilions, group sites and some individual sites can be reserved. The park has no entry fee and its page features a night sky viewing section; the mailing address is in Harrison.
Camp Verde is a town in Arizona's Verde Valley, certified as an International Dark Sky Community in 2018. It sits on the Verde River less than an hour from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott and Payson. The town's visitor center is at 435 S. Main Street near Fort Verde State Historic Park, and its website links a dedicated Dark Sky page.
Canyonlands National Park is a canyon park near Moab, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. Its districts include Island in the Sky, the Needles and the Maze, and no roads join them. The park service recommends a high viewpoint or open area away from roads, and ranger night sky programs run in season.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is a chain of barrier islands off North Carolina, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. The islands are about three miles offshore and reached by ferry, so bring all the food, water and supplies you need. You can camp on the islands, stargaze on your own or join a public astronomy program.
Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2015. The Milky Way shows in both summer and winter, and good viewing spots include Panorama Point, the end of the Scenic Drive and the Burr Trail. Rangers host monthly moon walks from Fruita Campground, Heritage Starfest is held each year, usually in September, and light painting is not allowed.
Caprock Canyons State Park is a canyon park near Quitaque, Texas, certified as a dark sky park in 2025. Camping ranges from drive-up sites with electricity to hike-in primitive sites and equestrian sites, and the park often fills, so reserve. Wild bison roam the grounds, so keep your distance after dark; elevation runs 2,180 to 3,180 feet.
Capulin Volcano National Monument is a volcanic cone in northeastern New Mexico, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. The park service describes one of the darkest night skies in the country and views of four states from the rim. Vehicles over 26 feet and any trailers are not allowed on Volcano Road, and hours vary, so check them before a night visit.
Cataloochee Ranch is a mountain ranch and lodge at 119 Ranch Drive in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, certified as DarkSky Approved Lodging in 2025. It sits at about 4,800 feet on the southeast edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, roughly 39 miles from Asheville. The ranch lists no dedicated stargazing program, so call 828-926-1401 to ask about sky viewing.
Cattle Point is a waterfront viewpoint in Uplands Park in Oak Bay, near Victoria, British Columbia, designated an Urban Star Park in 2013. Artificial light is strictly controlled here, and RASC Victoria Centre members regularly observe at the site. Event dates are not posted publicly, so joining the RASC Victoria Centre is the way to hear about observing nights.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a high plateau amphitheater in southern Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. It sits above 10,000 feet, so nights are cold even in summer. The park service describes crystal-clear night skies and lists ranger-led events on its calendar; call 435-986-7120 for current hours.
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was certified in 2017 and is billed as America's first Gold-tier International Dark Sky Reserve. The Idaho Dark Sky Alliance runs it and lists public programs, celestial events and an observatory on its website. Contact info@idahodarksky.org or 208-352-3153 for current event dates.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a park in northwestern New Mexico, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2013. Gallo Campground has sites for tents, trailers and RVs, and the park asks you to reserve ahead. Check directions and road conditions before you travel, and call 505-786-7014 for the park's dark sky programs.
Cherry Springs State Park, on a 2,300-foot mountaintop in northern Pennsylvania, has been an International Dark Sky Park since 2008. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area suits visits of a few hours, while the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field has telescope pads, 120-volt outlets and a user fee, and bans white light. The rustic campground runs mid-April to late October.
Chimney Rock National Monument is a 4,726-acre archaeological site in San Juan National Forest, Colorado, certified as a dark sky place in 2025. Its twin pinnacles frame lunar standstill, solstice and equinox alignments, and the Forest Service says the moon rises between them a few days a year. Vehicles need a $20 activity pass, bought online or by card on site.
Chiricahua National Monument is a sky island mountain monument in southeastern Arizona, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. Bonita Canyon Campground is small, historic and takes reservations only, fitting small vehicles and tents. The visitor center phone is staffed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
City of Rocks National Reserve is a national reserve in southern Idaho, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2023. The reserve has camping, including Smoky Mountain Campground, and its mailing address is in Almo. Winter is quiet there; check the operating hours page or call 208-824-5901 before a night trip.
Clayton Lake State Park is a lake park near Clayton, New Mexico, certified as New Mexico's first dark sky park in 2010. The Lake Observatory has a 14-inch Meade telescope, the park has 26 developed campsites, and it is open 24 hours at 5,186 feet. Avoid water contact at the lake because of an algae toxin warning.
Copper Breaks State Park is a state park near Quanah, Texas, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2014. It holds star parties monthly from April through November and other night sky programs through the year. Camping includes drive-up and hike-in sites; the park opens 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., so camp if you want to stay late. Elevation is 1,568 feet.
Cosmic Campground is a campground in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, certified as a dark sky sanctuary in 2016. It lies about 8 miles north of Alma off US 180 at 5,360 feet, with dry camping, a toilet and a telescope area but no water. White lights are banned after dark, so bring a red flashlight and your own food, water and fuel.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park is a remote, undeveloped Oregon park near Wasco, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2024. Lone Tree Campground has 21 primitive sites, 14 walk-in tent sites and a group camp, plus four rustic cabins by reservation. There is no cell coverage and walkways are barely lit, so bring a flashlight; dark sky programs are posted on the park store events page.
Cottonwood, a Verde Valley city in Yavapai County, Arizona, became an International Dark Sky Community in 2019. Getting there took about four years of public comment on its outdoor lighting rules, and the local club Astronomers of the Verde Valley hosts public sky events. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, a 423-acre preserve with three lagoons, is a common meeting point; skip full-moon nights.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is a lava-field park near Arco, Idaho, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. It is open every day of the year, though the Loop Road usually closes by mid-November. Lava Flow Campground sits among young lava flows and tends to fill by evening in summer; in winter you can hike in and snow camp with a free permit.
Crestone is a small Colorado town that became an International Dark Sky Community in 2021. The Dark Sky Crestone committee of the Crestone Foundation hosts community sky nights; one Perseids evening put an 8-inch telescope and lawn chairs at Crestone Charter School. Bring a chair, blanket and binoculars, and ask the committee for current dates.
Curecanti National Recreation Area is a reservoir and canyon park near Gunnison, Colorado, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2021. The park is open 24 hours, and overlooks or campgrounds set back from the road shield you best from passing headlights. Rangers run summer telescope programs at the Elk Creek Campground amphitheater, and the Gunnison Valley Observatory joins in.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park straddles the Alberta and Saskatchewan border and has been a Dark Sky Preserve since 2004. The Alberta side has 12 campgrounds, with more on the Saskatchewan side, and the Centre Block Observatory runs public programs from spring to fall. The Saskatchewan Summer Star Party meets each August at Meadows Campground, and the West Block is the darkest section.
Dead Horse Point State Park is a canyon-rim park outside Moab, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. The campground has RV sites, tent pads and yurts, booked online. Day use ends at 10 pm, but campers, yurt guests and people on ranger-led programs or permitted tours can stay out later, and star parties appear on the events calendar.
Death Valley National Park in California became an International Dark Sky Park in 2013, the third in the national park system. The Racetrack area is very dark but needs a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and Badwater Basin is a good place to watch Orion. Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells have shielded lighting; the park urges visitors to stay out after sunset, and its phone is 760-786-3200.
The Del Norte Unit of Devils River State Natural Area is a remote Texas park near Del Rio, designated a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019. Reservations are required, camping is primitive with no water or power, and you must bring all supplies. The gate is staffed Friday to Sunday with no check-in after 4 pm, and rangers lead night sky programs; visitors can borrow a Dark Sky pack.
Diamond Mountain Retreat Center is a retreat property near Bowie, Arizona, named a DarkSky Approved Lodging Experience in 2025. Guests rent cottages for solo or group stays, spaced apart for quiet. The center follows strict outdoor lighting rules, the Milky Way is visible from the grounds, and its Prepare page covers off-grid living and desert conditions.
Dinosaur National Monument is a remote park near Dinosaur, Colorado, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Rangers hold summer stargazing programs behind Split Mountain Campground, which is also the park's designated stargazing spot. The monument has six campgrounds; give your eyes 30 minutes to adjust and use red light.
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park is a Cass County, Michigan park near Jones, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2019. Admission is $3 for county residents and $5 for others, and hours are posted at the park. It has seven miles of hiking trails and two picnic shelters with electricity; the county page lists no camping, so call ahead before planning an overnight.
Dripping Springs is a Texas city that in 2014 became the state's first International Dark Sky Community. It adopted an outdoor lighting ordinance in 2000, years before the designation, and its website explains why and invites questions. The city page lists no dedicated viewing site or public star programs, so check with the city before building a trip around it.
East Canyon State Park is a reservoir park near Morgan, Utah, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2020. Camping ranges from RV hookups to primitive tent sites, with cabins, yurts and wagons also offered through ReserveAmerica. Day-use hours are 6 am to 10 pm, and the park page lists no organized star parties.
El Morro National Monument is a National Park Service site near Ramah, New Mexico, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. A free campground with nine first-come sites is available, and the Inscription Loop and Headland trails start at the visitor center. The park page lists no night programs, so call 505-783-4226 ext. 801 about after-dark events.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a Texas state park near Fredericksburg, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2014. Rangers lead star parties listed on the events page. The park is open 6:30 am to 10 pm with the gate closing at 8 pm, and late campers should call before 5 pm for the gate code; elevation is 1,825 feet.
Flagstaff Area National Monuments, meaning Walnut Canyon, Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano, were certified as one Dark Sky Park in 2016. Sunset Crater is about 6 miles north of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon 10 miles east and Wupatki 26 miles north. A 2016 notice listed hours of 9 am to 5 pm and occasional free night hikes at Wupatki, so confirm current hours with the park.
Flagstaff, Arizona became the world's first International Dark Sky City in 2001, and the Milky Way can be seen over downtown. The city relies on amber lighting, downward-shielded fixtures and limits on total light. Buffalo Park hosts the Flagstaff Star Party in early October, and the Celebration of the Night series runs September to October.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a fossil site near Florissant, Colorado, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2021. The monument offers Night Sky stargazing programs, with details on its program page. Its NPS pages list no campground; call 719-748-3253 for current hours and the program schedule.
Fort Union National Monument is a National Park Service historic site near Watrous, New Mexico, certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2019. Daytime hours are 8 am to 4 pm year-round with no entrance fee, and it closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. It runs special programs in summer, so call 505-425-8025 ext. 1 about evening events and after-hours access.
Fountain Hills, Arizona was designated an International Dark Sky Community in January 2018. The local Dark Sky Association suggests the east side of Fountain Park, plus Four Peaks and other town parks when the ball field lights are off. McDowell Mountain Regional Park, about six miles from downtown, has darker skies and a year-round campground.
Fredericksburg, Texas is a Hill Country town designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. Visitors usually head to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which holds star parties, or Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, a Dark Sky Park since 2021. Reserve a day pass for Enchanted Rock ahead of time and arrive before sunset.
Fremont Indian State Park is a Utah state park near Sevier, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. Castle Rock and Sam Stowe campgrounds offer RV and primitive sites, plus cabins and a teepee, booked online. Listed park hours are 9 am to 5 pm, so call about after-dark access.
Frisco, Colorado, in Summit County about an hour west of Denver, earned International Dark Sky Community status in 2026. The town requires fully shielded, warmer-toned lights with curfews, and Main Street now has dimmable shielded fixtures. Night-sky signs are posted in town parks and Frisco Historic Park and Museum hosts annual night-sky events; no formal viewing site is named.
Fry Family Park is a Stark County, Ohio park near Magnolia that earned Urban Night Sky Place status in 2021. The park is open 24 hours, and shelter-area lights are turned off for stargazing on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus Saturdays from November to April. The barn area is darkest and best for telescopes; no camping is listed.
Fundy National Park sits on the Bay of Fundy near Alma, New Brunswick, and has been a Dark Sky Preserve since 2011. The park is always open, and you can camp in a tent, a trailer, park accommodations or the backcountry. Reservations go through the Parks Canada booking site; campground and information centre hours are on a separate page.
Geauga Observatory Park is an Ohio park in Montville Township with public observatories, designated a Dark Sky Park in 2011. The Oberle Observatory and Nassau Astronomical Station, home to a 36-inch telescope, open only for naturalist-led programs. The park is open 6 am to 11 pm, or until 1 am from Memorial Day to Labor Day; no camping is listed.
Goblin Valley State Park is a Utah state park near Green River, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. It offers primitive sites, RV sites, tent pads and yurts, reserved online. The park is open 6 am to 10 pm and the visitor center 9 am to 5 pm; its events list has included a Constellation Tour.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a Colorado mountain park about 16 miles northwest of Golden, certified in 2026. Reverend's Ridge Campground has tent and RV sites among 156 campsites in the park, plus backcountry sites. Day use runs 5 am to 10 pm and the visitor center 9 am to 4 pm; the park page lists no night programs, so confirm after-dark access.
Goosenecks State Park is a Utah overlook park near Mexican Hat, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round, at about 4,500 feet. There is a primitive campsite, along with fire pits, picnic tables and vault toilets.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona has been an International Dark Sky Park since 2016. Stargazing is listed among its activities. Backcountry camping needs a permit; call 928-638-7888 for current conditions.
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is a remote Arizona monument, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2014. There is no designated campground; primitive camping is free with no reservations. Hundreds of miles of backcountry roads reach remote areas, so check that your vehicle suits them. The monument's visitor center is in St. George, Utah.
Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, with its mailing address in Val Marie, has been a Dark Sky Preserve since 2009. Parks Canada lists camping from tent sites to oTENTik cabins, booked through its reservation system. The park is open year-round, though some services run only in summer, so check the hours page.
Great Basin National Park in Nevada, near Baker, was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. The park promotes some of the darkest night skies in the country and advises checking the moon phase before you go. It has five front-country campgrounds, and Wheeler Peak rises to 13,063 feet.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2019. The park is open 24 hours every day, and no reservations or timed-entry passes are required. Its page suggests staying on a moonless night for the best star views.
The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve spans more than 15,000 square miles of Texas and Mexico and was certified in 2022. It links parks, towns and protected lands on both sides of the Rio Grande around better outdoor lighting. The reserve website carries a visiting guide and a stargazing experiences page for planning a trip.
Groveland, Florida was certified in June 2023 as the state's first International Dark Sky Community. The city's lighting code prohibits unshielded sidewalk lighting, and Duke Energy is retrofitting 783 city-leased fixtures to meet it. No public viewing sites are named in the sources found; City Hall is at 156 S Lake Ave, 352-429-2141.
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is a Bureau of Land Management canyon area just north of Montrose, Colorado, certified in 2024. The terrain runs from adobe badlands to pinyon and juniper slopes, and the BLM page offers an area map, brochures and river flow data. It lists no camping or night programs, so call the Montrose office at 970-240-5300.
Hawthorn Woods, Illinois is a village designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. The village website states the designation but lists no public viewing site or lighting ordinance details. Village Hall is at 2 Lagoon Drive, 847-438-5500; ask there about local stargazing.
Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a lakeshore park at 15675 Headlands Rd near Mackinaw City, Michigan, designated in 2011. The grounds are open 24 hours every day, but camping is not allowed. White light is banned in the viewing area, red-filtered flashlights are sold on site, and the shore runs about 10 degrees colder than expected.
Helper, Utah is a small town in Carbon County designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. It is reached by Highways 6 and 191, roughly 68 miles from Provo and 123 miles from Moab. The city website names no stargazing sites or ordinance details, so ask City Hall about public viewing spots.
Homer Glen, Illinois is a village that has been an International Dark Sky Community since 2011. The village website highlights its dark sky status and lighting ordinance but gives no details. Village Hall is at 14240 West 151st Street, open weekdays 8 am to 4:30 pm, 708-301-0632; ask there about public viewing places.
Horseshoe Bay, Texas has been an International Dark Sky Community since 2015. The city keeps a dedicated dark sky page and has listed public stargazing parties at the HSB Nature Park. City Center is at 9101 W. FM 2147, 830-598-8741.
Hovenweep National Monument straddles the Utah and Colorado border and was certified a Dark Sky Park in 2014, the first to span two states. Camping is available but requires a reservation, and the NPS site has an Observe the Night Sky page. The mailing address is McElmo Route, Cortez, Colorado; check the Info page or call about hours.
Irving Nature Park is a coastal park near Saint John, New Brunswick, designated an Urban Star Park in 2011. It is open roughly May to October or November, and vehicles are shut out at dusk except during events, though people on foot may enter any time. There is no lodging on site; the Upper Squirrel parking lot is the main viewing spot, and a wooded lookout suits binoculars.
Jackson Hole Airport, inside Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, was certified a DarkSky place in 2025. The airport calls itself the first with this recognition and is a working commercial airport at 1250 East Airport Road, so it is a lighting showcase rather than a viewing field. Its page gives no lighting specifics.
Jackson Lake State Park is a Colorado reservoir park near Orchard, the first Colorado state park certified by the dark-sky association, in 2020. It has 247 campsites booked online. Park hours are 5 am to 10 pm daily and the visitor center is open 8 am to 4 pm at 26363 County Road 3.
James River State Park is a Virginia park near Gladstone, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Staff run stargazing sessions twice a month from Memorial Day to Labor Day and monthly from September to May. There are five campgrounds and 18 cabins and lodges; the park is open dawn to dusk, so ask about after-hours access.
Jasper National Park in Alberta is a Parks Canada dark sky preserve, designated in 2011 and described as the world's second largest. Camping includes campgrounds, oTENTiks, backcountry and winter camping, and the Jasper Information Centre is at 500 Connaught Drive. The park's dark sky page and Parks Canada programs list current events.
Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park, south of Kelowna, British Columbia, has been an RASC Nocturnal Preserve since May 2023. The 405.8-hectare park is day use only, so night visits happen through programs such as stargazing nights with the Okanagan RASC and guided hikes like Owl Prowl. Access is via Chute Lake Road, with about 2.9 km of gravel.
Jonestown, Texas is a small city near Lake Travis in Travis County, designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2023. The city website links to a Jonestown Night Sky Advocacy page, and City Hall is at 18649 FM 1431, Suite 4A, 512-267-3243. It names no public viewing site, so ask the city about stargazing.
Jordanelle State Park is a Utah reservoir park in Heber City, a few miles from Park City, certified in 2021. Campgrounds open May 1 to October 31 with quiet hours 10 pm to 7 am; day use runs 6 am to 10 pm and the gates never close. Rock Cliff Nature Center offers year-round programs, but the park page lists no star parties.
Joshua Tree National Park in California, near Twentynine Palms, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2017. Use the lots at Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock and Ryan Mountain, staying within 20 feet of your car. Pinto Basin Road pullouts are darkest, Cottonwood Campground has the darkest camp skies among nine campgrounds, and a Night Sky Festival is held annually.
Julian, California is a San Diego County mountain town named an International Dark Sky Community in May 2021. The Julian Dark Sky Network pushed the county to revise its outdoor lighting ordinance and has run public astronomy events, including a Dark Sky Festival on August 15, 2025. Its site names no public viewing spot; email juliandarkskynetwork@gmail.com.
Kartchner Caverns State Park, about 9 miles south of Benson on Arizona Highway 90, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2017. Star parties run on a few Saturdays a year, with solar viewing by day, a talk on protecting dark skies, and telescope viewing after dark. Campsites and private cabins can be reserved online, and the Discovery Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, certified in 2020, reached through Patten. The National Park Service says its skies are the darkest east of the Mississippi River. Front-country and backcountry camping can be reserved inside the monument, and the park's Current Conditions page covers road and weather updates before you drive in.
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, at Maitland Bridge, is Nova Scotia's only dark-sky preserve, designated in 2010. Parks Canada lists a Dark Sky Viewing Area, and the park is open year-round. The visitor centre and camping run from the Victoria Day weekend to October 31, with serviced, unserviced and backcountry sites plus roofed accommodation, all booked through Parks Canada.
Ketchum, Idaho is an International Dark Sky Community certified in 2017, and was the first place in the state to earn that status. The city requires street and building lights to be shielded and aimed downward, with separate rules for holiday lighting. It is a town rather than a park, so there are no gates or hours; the city must keep up dark sky events and education to hold the designation.
Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, certified in 2022, is headquartered at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge at the top of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Stargazing is offered year-round, with dates on the lodge calendar. The lodge rents 24 cabins (27 units, one to three bedrooms) that must be booked in advance, and walk-ins are not accepted; the site does not list camping.
Killarney Provincial Park, on Ontario's Georgian Bay coast about 10 km from Killarney village, is a dark-sky preserve designated in 2018. Ontario Parks lists Dark Sky Viewing among its activities. Camping includes 153 car campsites, 214 backcountry sites and 24 radio-free sites, plus yurts, and the park is open all year.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, near Okeechobee, Florida, was recognized in 2016 as the state's first International Dark Sky Park. Day-use hours are 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, for $4 per vehicle. Overnight options include campgrounds, primitive and equestrian camping, and glamping; call 863-462-5360 to ask about after-dark access.
Kosmos Stargazing Resort & Spa, an off-grid lodge near Mosca, Colorado, became DarkSky Approved Lodging in 2026. Three private villas each have a telescope and an indoor hot tub. Certified astronomers lead guided stargazing that non-guests can book, and lighting switches to red after dark; Great Sand Dunes National Park is about 18 minutes away.
Kouchibouguac National Park is a dark sky preserve on New Brunswick's east coast, designated in 2009. It is open year-round, with visitor services from January to October. Camping covers tent and trailer sites, oTENTik cabins and primitive sites booked through Parks Canada, and the park's programs page lists evening interpretation.
Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center, near Lake City in Hinsdale County, Colorado, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2020. Guided stargazing runs Tuesday evenings from mid-June to late August, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., at the former Slumgullion Campground on County Road 50 near the top of Slumgullion Pass. The annual Lake City Star Fest is also held here.
Lake Superior Provincial Park, at Wawa on Ontario's Lake Superior shore, was designated a dark-sky preserve in 2018. Ontario Parks lists Dark Sky Viewing as an activity. Two campgrounds serve it: Agawa Bay and Rabbit Blanket, both seasonal from spring to fall, plus backcountry campsites.
Lakeland Provincial Park in northeastern Alberta, reached from Lac La Biche by Highway 663, is a dark-sky preserve designated in 2016. It has five observing sites reachable by vehicle and no public electricity. Front-country camping is in the adjacent recreation area, with 21 backcountry sites, and the Lakeland Dark Sky Celebration usually falls in mid-September.
Lakewood Village is a small town on a peninsula in Lewisville Lake, Texas, certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2019. It is a residential town rather than a park, so there are no gates or visitor hours. The town website's Dark Sky Watch column describes upcoming sky events and where to view them, and Town Hall is at 100 Highridge Dr.
LeTerrain is a private 400-acre RASC Dark-Sky Preserve in La Pêche, Quebec, about an hour from Ottawa, certified in 2025. Access is by membership, which includes the preserve, 20 km of trails and a monthly Sunday gathering. Members can also book three off-grid cabins; the site mentions no day passes or camping.
Liberty Hill, Texas is an International Dark Sky Community certified in 2025, the first in Williamson County. The volunteer group Save Our Stars runs public star parties with the Austin Astronomical Society, lighting audits and a Night Sky Friendly Business program. The city adopted an outdoor lighting ordinance in 2022, and a Tri-County Star Party is planned for River Ranch County Park.
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge in Pleasant Valley, northwestern Montana, is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary certified in 2022, near Marion. Posted refuge hours are sunrise to sunset, so confirm after-dark access with staff. From Marion the road turns to gravel for about 13 miles, cell service is sporadic, and the nearest gas is in Marion.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, near Stonewall in the Texas Hill Country, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. Rangers and astronomers lead evening programs such as Night Skies Over the LBJ Ranch, with telescopes provided. Call 830-868-7128 to confirm dates and hours, since no standing nighttime hours are posted.
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. Rangers run night sky programs through the year with park telescopes provided, and the grass fields and parking lots near the visitor center are the suggested open viewing spots. Three campgrounds and more than 13 backcountry sites allow overnight stays; call 270-758-2180 about night access.
Manitoulin Eco Park in Tehkummah, Ontario, has a 70-acre RASC dark-sky preserve designated in 2008, on the southeast side of Manitoulin Island. A large open field gives a 360 degree view, and the no-white-light Dark-Sky Campground offers tent sites, a bunkie and a stargazing cabin. After dark, vehicles park outside the preserve gate and visitors walk in; day and dark-sky passes are sold on the park website.
Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in far northern Washoe County, Nevada, became an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019. The BLM-managed area near the California and Oregon borders is remote, with elevations of 5,520 to 6,780 feet and views up to 60 miles. Vehicle access is limited and water is unreliable, and no campground or facilities are described, so carry everything you need.
Mayland Earth to Sky Park in Burnsville, North Carolina, is an International Dark Sky Park (2014) with the Bare Dark Sky Observatory. The grounds and parking area are open around the clock for stargazing. The observatory's 34-inch telescope is used at ticketed monthly viewing nights bought in advance, and the planetarium and visitor center are open Thursday to Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Medicine Rocks State Park near Ekalaka, Montana, is the state's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary (2020), with a Night Sky Trail. Day-use hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and eight first-come campsites plus one reservable group site are open year-round. Summer stargazing nights provide telescopes; bring a folding chair and warm clothing.
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, about 26 miles southwest of Valentine, Nebraska, became the state's first certified Dark Sky Park in 2022. Campsites range from basic to electric, with water, showers and a dump station, and half the sites at Beeds Landing, Boardman and Cedar Bay take reservations. A park entry permit is required, and the Nebraska Star Party meets here each summer.
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado became an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, the 100th in the world. In summer, rangers hold Wednesday night sky programs at the Morefield Campground Amphitheater: a short talk, then laser tours and telescope viewing. Ancestral sites and trails close at night, but Morefield Campground, the Far View Lodge area and park-road pullouts stay open for stargazing.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Champaign County, Illinois, became an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. The North Waterfowl Management Area and the Dark Sky Trail, where visitors can set up their own telescopes, are open 24 hours. Camping is limited to the Harry L. Swartz Campground, and public programs usually take place at the observatory.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, at 23610 Hamilton Pool Road near Dripping Springs, Texas, is a Travis County park certified as a Dark Sky Park in 2021. The park closes at civil twilight, so after-dark visits go through the Reimers Observatory, which holds several programs a month and requires a reservation to be in the park at night. Camping is not allowed.
Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve in Quebec's Eastern Townships, certified in 2007, was the world's first reserve of its kind. The ASTROLab in the park's Observatory sector hosts observatory days and nights, and the Franceville sector has 65 campsites plus cabins and ready-to-camp units. The park, at 189 route du Parc in Notre-Dame-des-Bois, is open year-round.
Mount Carleton Provincial Park in northern New Brunswick is a dark-sky preserve designated in 2009, about 40 km from Saint-Quentin. Armstrong Campground and Nictau Lake are the favoured viewing spots, and Armstrong has 88 tent and trailer sites. Night viewing generally means an overnight stay, since park hours end at 8 p.m. in the main season, apart from the occasional dark-sky event.
Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia, about 30 minutes from Roanoke, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, with ranger-led stargazing, moonrise and astrophotography programs on selected dates. Primitive camping at Blue Hollow is open year-round and reservable; the sites have no hookups and RVs cannot reach them.
Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah was certified in 2007 as the world's first International Dark Sky Park. The monument is open year-round and camping is by reservation only. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in summer, and the monument posts a no cell service notice, so plan fuel and supplies before you arrive.
Newport State Park sits at the far end of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, near Ellison Bay, and was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2017. It is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round and has 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Backpack camping is available, and the Wisconsin DNR calendar lists events at the park; call 920-854-2500 for details.
North Fork Park, on the eastern side of Utah's Wasatch Range near Liberty, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2015. Weber County runs 181 individual campsites with fire pits, water and flush toilets, plus six group areas with covered shelters, and a camp host is on site. The park is at 6413 North Fork Road; call 801-399-8491 for hours.
North Frontenac Astronomy Park, about 6 km southwest of Plevna, Ontario, anchors the township's RASC Dark Sky Preserve, designated in 2013. The free site is open 24 hours with concrete telescope pads, parking, washrooms and a 16-inch observatory telescope that volunteers open during events. Camping and campfires are not allowed because it shares ground with a medical helipad, and red lights are preferred.
Norwood, Colorado, a small town on Wright's Mesa at about 7,000 feet, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2019. The town's dark-sky advocate group describes the high-desert sky as exceptionally dark and posts upcoming gatherings through norwooddarksky.org. As a town it has no gates or visitor hours, so check that site for star party dates.
Nucla and Naturita, neighboring towns in far western Colorado, became an International Dark Sky Community in 2021. The canyon country along Highway 141 in either direction reaches Bortle Class 1 darkness. The towns sit roughly between Telluride and Moab, which makes them a quiet night stop on a Four Corners road trip.
Obed Wild and Scenic River, a National Park Service unit near Wartburg, Tennessee, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2017. Rangers lead free guided programs listed on the park calendar. The park's website does not post night hours or campground details, so call 423-346-6294 before planning an after-dark visit.
Observatory Park at Turner Farm, a Fairfax County park in Great Falls, Virginia, was certified an Urban Night Sky Place in 2024. The park is open sunrise to sunset, and the observatory zone opens only for registered astronomy programs. A Night Viewing Permit, valid through December 31, lets each adult stay in the designated parking lot after hours for stargazing or night photography.
Okefenokee State Park (formerly Stephen C. Foster State Park) in Fargo, Georgia, is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2016. It has 52 tent, trailer and RV campsites, and gates lock at 10 p.m., so camping or a night program is the way to see the sky. There is no dedicated stargazing area, but the lot across from the Trading Post has open views, and night programs run through the year.
Old Man on His Back is a 5,200 hectare Nature Conservancy of Canada property in southwest Saskatchewan, designated a RASC Nocturnal Preserve in 2015. Skies are Bortle 1, and the interpretive centre keeps an 8-inch Dobsonian that must be arranged in advance. Access is by gravel road that turns slick when wet, and the nearest fuel is Frontier, 40 km away, so bring food, water and fuel.
Old Snowmass, a rural community in Pitkin County, Colorado, became an International Dark Sky Community in 2026, the Roaring Fork Valley's first. The volunteer group WildSky Old Snowmass promotes shielded, downward-aimed lighting and holds picnics and star parties with the local caucus. Its website keeps a calendar of upcoming eclipses and meteor showers.
Oracle State Park, in the Tucson area of Arizona, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2014. Public star parties are held on select Saturday evenings, and stargazing access is available seven days a week at the American Avenue Trailhead parking lot by reservation (520-896-2425). Regular park hours end at 4 p.m. in winter, and the park page does not describe camping.
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, near Cave Junction, Oregon, was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2024. The park has 17 first-come, first-served campsites. The park website does not post night hours or programs, so check its calendar or write to 19000 Caves Hwy before a night visit.
Oregon Outback is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary covering the remote high desert of Lake County, Oregon, certified in 2024. It is billed as the largest certified sanctuary in the world, with Bortle 1 skies and sparse population. The website lists no lodging or camping, so base yourself in Lakeview, and watch the sanctuary's Facebook page for community sky events.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a Sonoran Desert park near Ajo, Arizona, was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2026. The monument offers developed, primitive and backcountry camping, and ranger programs run through the winter months. Its website does not list hours or night sky events, so call 520-387-6849 for current details.
Palos Preserves, a 6,662-acre forest preserve network in southwest Cook County, Illinois, was named an Urban Night Sky Place in 2021. Palos locations close at sunset, so the practical ways to see its sky are an astronomy program from the Forest Preserves of Cook County or a camping stay at Camp Bullfrog Lake. Adler Planetarium measured about four times as many visible stars here as over Chicago.
Parc du Mont-Bellevue is a roughly 200 hectare urban forest beside the Université de Sherbrooke, certified an Urban Night Sky Place in 2022. Several kilometres of trails are used for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and mountain biking. The project aims to protect the night sky from light pollution; check with the city of Sherbrooke for hours and any public night programs.
Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, a 1,510 square kilometre Sepaq park in Quebec, became an International Dark Sky Park in 2023. It is open year-round, but access to a sector can be refused when its parking lot is full, so reserve online up to 30 days ahead. Shuttles serve the La Diable and Pimbina-Saint-Donat sectors.
Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona was certified an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. To stay past closing, pick up a free Dark Sky Viewing Permit at the Painted Desert Inn; only two are issued per day, first come, first served, and you still pay entry. About half the park is wilderness, with just a faint glow from Holbrook on the western horizon, so aim for a new moon.
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park, with Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, is a Tennessee International Dark Sky Park (2015). Dark sky viewing takes place at the Pogue Creek Canyon Astronomy Field. Restored CCC-era cabins can be booked; call 1-888-867-2757 to confirm lodging and camping.
Pipe Spring National Monument in Fredonia, Arizona, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021, set within the Kaibab Indian Reservation. Rangers hold star parties as part of their special events, which are posted on the monument's event calendar. The address is 406 Pipe Springs Road; call 928-643-7105 or check the Info page for current hours.
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2020. It offers tours, weekend visits and planetarium programs, plus cabins and campsites for staying overnight. Hours are posted at pari.edu/hours, and the main number is 828-862-5554.
Point Pelee National Park, near Leamington, Ontario, was designated a dark-sky preserve in 2006. Parks Canada runs a Dark Sky Nights program for exploring the park after dark, with dates on its events calendar. Regular hours are 7 a.m. to dusk, and oTENTik cabins at Camp Henry are open year-round.
Prineville Reservoir State Park is an International Dark Sky Park (certified 2021) on a reservoir near Prineville, Oregon. The main campground has 22 full-hookup, 22 electrical and 23 tent sites, plus five log cabins, and the park calendar lists night sky programs. Evening-only visitors can stay after hours in the day-use area by displaying the park's Stargazing Permit on the dashboard.
Quetico Provincial Park is an International Dark Sky Park (2021) of canoe-country wilderness in northwestern Ontario near Atikokan. The main entry, Dawson Trail Campground, is about 45 km east of town. It has 106 car-camping sites, 51 with power, plus year-round rustic cabins and camping pods; the campground itself is open from mid-May to mid-October. Backcountry camping, roughly 2,200 sites, is reserved online.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument, on Lake Powell in southern Utah, was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2018. Most visitors arrive by boat from marinas near Page, Arizona, then walk about a mile, and the park warns that at current lake levels the dock does not reach land. The bridge is sacred to neighboring tribes; the monument line, 928-608-6200, is staffed weekdays 7am to 4pm MST.
Rappahannock County Park is a small International Dark Sky Park (2019) off Route 211 near Washington, Virginia. The park, a few miles east of Shenandoah National Park, is open dawn to dusk, so after-dark viewing happens at Open Observation Evenings, which need registration 24 hours ahead. Separate program events need no registration, and the park's page does not mention camping.
Ridgway is a small town in the foothills of Colorado's San Juan Mountains, certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. Just over 1,000 people live on about 4.8 square kilometres. Plan visits around the new moon and astronomical twilight; Top of the Pines, a certified Dark Sky Park with a campground, is also in Ridgway.
Rockport State Park, near Peoa in northern Utah, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. More than 100 campsites across five campgrounds are open year-round, from tent pads to partial-hookup RV sites. Posted hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with gates closing between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., so call 435-336-2241 before planning to stay out after dark.
Saguaro National Park, split into east and west districts on either side of Tucson, Arizona, is a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place (2023). Backcountry camping is allowed year-round with a permit reserved through recreation.gov. The park page lists no night sky program schedule, so check its hours page or call 520-733-5153 before planning an after-dark visit.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, run from Mountainair, New Mexico, is an International Dark Sky Park (2016). It has three mission units, Abo, Quarai and Gran Quivira, and night sky programs are posted on the park's event calendar. After-hours photography needs a special use permit; call the visitor center at 505-847-2585 x220 about hours.
Sedona, a red rock tourist town in central Arizona, was named an International Dark Sky Community in 2014. Visit Sedona's stargazing picks include Centennial Trailhead (a short paved path), Baldwin Trailhead with stars over Cathedral Rock, and Brins Mesa Trailhead near Uptown. For the darkest sky, drive out to Beaverhead Flat Scenic Overlook, outside town.
Shield Ranch is a 6,400-acre protected ranch about 18 miles west of downtown Austin, Texas, certified a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place in 2024. It was the first such place in Texas, and a permanent monitor records sky brightness every 15 minutes. The Campsite at Shield Ranch hosts events with night sky programming; check shieldranch.com/events or call 512-476-4816, since general visiting hours are not published.
Sinks Canyon State Park, just south of Lander, Wyoming, is the state's first International Dark Sky Park (certified 2023). Popo Agie Campground takes reservations May to September and is first-come the rest of the year, and yurts can be booked year-round. Facilities run 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and after 10 p.m. only campground guests may be on site.
Sisters, Oregon, a town of about 3,475 in Deschutes County, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2025. The city strengthened its outdoor lighting ordinance to qualify, and the town has an astronomy club founded in 2000. It is about 20 miles from Bend, with Deschutes National Forest on three sides.
Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia, is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2021. Turner Pond is the Dark Sky Observation Area, open after dusk until 2 a.m. with a $10 parking hang tag, and volunteer astronomers lead monthly programs. Camping is primitive and hike-in only: 19 sites, reached by a one-mile walk on Hadow Trail.
Snow Canyon State Park in Ivins, Utah, was named a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place in 2025. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and its 38-site campground runs year-round, so camping is the practical way to be there after dark. Backcountry camping is not allowed, and ranger programs are seasonal; call 435-628-2255 for night sky dates.
South Llano River State Park near Junction, Texas, is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2017. Most campsites have water and electricity, and there are six walk-in sites and five primitive hike-in sites. Day visitors can stay late to stargaze by paying the night activity fee, and stargazing programs are posted on the park's events page.
Springdale, Utah, the gateway town to Zion National Park, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2023. Town code requires shielded, downward-facing outdoor lights, and the Canyon Community Center hosts seasonal telescope events. About 600 people live in the canyon town, and Zion's own night programs are a short trip away.
Spruce Woods Provincial Park near Glenboro became Manitoba's first Dark-Sky Preserve in 2022, designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Park buildings use shielded amber lighting, and zenith readings run 21.5 to 21.7 magnitudes per square arcsecond. Interpreters run night sky programs at the visitor centre in summer, and the Winnipeg RASC Centre holds an annual star party here.
Stacy Park is a 35-acre community park at 9750 Old Bonhomme Road in Olivette, Missouri, certified an urban night sky place in 2021. The city lists it for nightly sky viewing and links to a Sky Viewing page and a LightsOut page. No park hours or event dates are posted, so call the city before planning a late visit; restrooms are open year-round.
Staunton River State Park, near Scottsburg, was Virginia's first state park named an International Dark Sky Park (July 2015). A field beside the visitor center is open year-round for observing, and the Staunton River Star Party runs each March and October with free public Saturday nights. The 48-site campground opens the first Friday in March, and eight 1930s cabins are available; park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Steinaker State Park, near Vernal, Utah, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2018 and sits at 5,500 feet. The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers cabins, RV sites with full or partial hookups, and tent pads. The Utah State Parks dark skies page covers night sky details, and the reservoir also supports boating and fishing.
Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, is DarkSky Approved lodging (2026) on the edge of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. The resort uses shielded outdoor lighting and is building guided stargazing and astronomy programs. Nearby spots named for dark skies include Bald Mountain, the Trail Creek meadows and Galena Summit.
Terra Nova National Park, Canada's most easterly national park, is a Dark-Sky Preserve (2018) near Glovertown, Newfoundland. Camping includes frontcountry, backcountry and oTENTik options booked through Parks Canada, and the main operating season runs from mid-May to mid-October. Evening programs are part of the park's tours and programs, so call 709-533-2801 for current dates.
Teton County, Wyoming, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2025, with stargazing tours based in Jackson. Wyoming Stargazing, at 700 Coyote Canyon Road, runs private and group tours around Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, plus free public programs. Book on its website or at 844-996-7827; private tours start at $250.
Moab, Utah, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2024 and sits on the Colorado Plateau near Arches and Canyonlands. An outdoor lighting ordinance passed in 2019 and updated in 2023 covers new and existing buildings, and volunteers measure sky darkness quarterly. The nonprofit Moab Dark Skies helps residents replace non-compliant fixtures.
The Swag is a lodge near Waynesville, North Carolina, on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary, certified DarkSky Approved Lodging in 2025. Nearly a mile above sea level, it uses shielded, dimmed lighting for a 360-degree view of the sky, and the Milky Way is often visible on clear evenings. Lodging is in the Swag House, Chestnut Lodge and cabins; call (828) 926-0430.
Thousand Hills State Park, near Kirksville, Missouri, was certified a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place in 2024. The park has campsites and cabins, and its event listings include a Dark Sky Program. Call the office at 660-665-6995 for hours and current night programs.
Thunder Mountain Pootsee Nightsky is the Kaibab Paiute Reservation's International Dark Sky Community, certified in 2015 in northern Arizona. The reservation lies on the Arizona-Utah border about 80 km north of the Grand Canyon. The tribe suggests planning visits around the new moon, and the tribal website lists an RV Park & Campground; nearby Pipe Spring National Monument holds ranger star parties.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork Canyon, Utah, is a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place, certified in 2020. Night sky programs are held with the national forest and local astronomy groups, usually in the canyon in summer. The visitor center, caves and Cave Access Trail close for winter; call 801-756-5239 for current programs.
Top of the Pines is a 175-acre International Dark Sky Park (2021) at 1035 Highland Drive in Ridgway, Colorado, at the foot of the Sneffels Range. A rustic campground with reservable sites is on the property, and the site keeps a Lighting Management Plan and a dedicated stargazing page. Ouray, Ridgway and Telluride are all close.
Torrance Barrens is a Dark-Sky Preserve in the District of Muskoka, Ontario, designated by the RASC in 1999. Camping and fires are allowed only at six free, first-come campsites marked with orange tent signs, each with a fire cairn and backcountry toilet. There is no water, cell service or garbage collection, so pack out waste; the Torrance General Store at Highway 169 and Southwood Road sells approved firewood.
Torrey, Utah, the gateway town to Capitol Reef National Park, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2018, the first in Utah. Residents improved the outdoor lighting ordinance and raised funds to retrofit town-owned streetlights. The town sits in rural Wayne County between Boulder Mountain and Capitol Reef, a Dark Sky Park since 2015; town hall is at 100 North 75 East, (435) 425-3600.
Breckenridge, Colorado, at 9,603 feet in the Rockies, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2025. A 2007 lighting ordinance requires fully shielded fixtures and limits color temperature and brightness. The town's listed viewing spots are the Sawmill Museum, Gold Run Nordic Center and the summit of Discovery Hill.
The Town of Castle Valley, Utah, a residential and agricultural community near Moab, became an International Dark Sky Community in 2024. Its first outdoor lighting ordinance dates to 1991 and requires fully shielded fixtures, and it was updated in 2022 to follow DarkSky standards. The valley has no commercial zoning, so stock up in Moab, about 9 miles away, and look for the Milky Way above the red rock mesas.
Paonia, a town of nearly 1,500 on Colorado's Western Slope in Delta County, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2024. The town adopted a lighting ordinance in 2022 and runs two continuously logging sky quality meters, with monitoring and outreach led by the volunteer group Dark Skies Paonia. Grand Mesa National Forest and two wilderness areas lie nearby.
Trinchera Ranch is a 172,000-acre lodge and reserve above Colorado's San Luis Valley, certified for dark sky lodging in 2025. It sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Stays are all-inclusive across a 16-room lodge, two private residences and backcountry outpost cabins, and nights under the stars are a listed activity. Guests are met at San Luis Valley Regional Airport, about 25 minutes away.
Tubac, Arizona, in the Santa Cruz River Valley, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2024. The town adopted an updated outdoor lighting code after a local committee measured sky quality. Tumacacori National Historical Park, a certified Dark Sky Park, is just south, and the Smithsonian's Whipple Observatory is about 12.5 miles northeast.
Tumacacori National Historical Park, off Frontage Road south of Tubac, Arizona, has been an International Dark Sky Park since 2018. It has run evening programs on the night sky as a cultural resource since 2016, and keeps remarkably dark skies despite lying between two growing urban areas. Check the park calendar or call 520-377-5060 for program times.
UBarU Camp and Retreat Center, near Mountain Home in the Texas Hill Country, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2015. The Unitarian Universalist camp has an observatory and a Youth Astronomical Observatory, and a UBarU Star Party is listed on its events page. It offers camping and retreat lodging at 277 U-bar-u Drive; call 830-460-6002 for dates.
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon is a DarkSky-certified tent camp near Widtsoe, Utah, about 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park (2024). The camp sits on 700 acres of juniper forest at a listed 7,600 feet and operates seasonally, from early May to late September. Stargazer tents have a window above the bed, and the camp hosts star parties.
Under Canvas Grand Canyon is a DarkSky-certified tent camp in piñon and juniper forest, about 25 minutes from the South Rim entrance (2024). The camp covers 160 acres and operates seasonally, from mid-April to late October, with wood-stove safari tents and ensuite bathrooms. Stargazer tents have a night-sky window, and the camp offers star parties.
Under Canvas Lake Powell and Grand Staircase is a DarkSky-certified tent camp on a canyon rim plateau near Big Water, Utah (2023). It operates seasonally, from mid-March to late October, about 14 miles from the main Lake Powell marina and roughly 22 minutes from Antelope Canyon. Stargazer tents have a viewing window above the bed, and star parties are offered.
Under Canvas Moab is a DarkSky-certified tent camp about seven miles north of Moab, Utah, near Arches National Park (2023). The camp operates seasonally, from early March to October. Stargazer tents have a window above the bed and the camp offers star parties; its FAQ puts Arches about 12 minutes away and Canyonlands' Island in the Sky about 25.
Under Canvas ULUM Moab is a tent resort at 147 S Looking Glass Road in La Sal, Utah, certified for dark sky lodging in 2025. Suite tents have a king bed, ensuite bathroom, private deck and wood-burning stove, and the property has dipping pools, fire pits and a yoga deck. The resort page lists no season or stargazing programs, so ask before booking.
Under Canvas Yosemite is a DarkSky Approved tent camp on 85 forested acres in Groveland, California, certified in 2026. It sits about 10 minutes from the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite and operates seasonally, from mid-April to late October. Stargazer tents have a window above the bed, Deluxe guests can stargaze from private decks, and a YARTS shuttle stop is on site.
Under Canvas Zion is a DarkSky-certified tent camp near Virgin, Utah, about 8 miles off Highway 9 on N. Kolob Road (2024). The camp operates seasonally, from mid-March to early November. Stargazer tents have a window above the bed, Suites sleep four, and the camp offers star parties and celestial-themed dining.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, in Albuquerque's South Valley, is a DarkSky Urban Night Sky Place (2019). The entrance road gate off 2nd Street SW opens an hour before sunrise and closes an hour after sunset, and the visitor center is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Night sky events are posted on the refuge's events page.
Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2021. The preserve sits in a caldera about 14 miles wide and allows 24-hour access for stargazing, with at least six large pullouts along the road. Astronomy programs and full moon hikes are held; call 505-670-1612.
Voyageurs National Park, on the Minnesota border with Canada near International Falls, is an International Dark Sky Park (2020). The park covers about 218,000 acres of lakes and forest and offers ranger-led night sky viewing and talks. Headquarters is at 360 Hwy 11 East, (218) 283-6600; local outfitters rent boats, and the park asks visitors to follow bear food-storage guidance.
Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta is the Canadian half of the Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2017. The park is open year-round, with online campsite reservations and 16 day-use and picnic areas. Daily visitor and camping fees apply and recreational drones are prohibited; call 403-859-5133 for current night sky events.
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a transboundary International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2017 across Alberta and Montana. It covers 4,606 square kilometres and was the first dark sky park to span an international border. The Waterton side is open year-round with reservable camping and 16 day-use areas; contact Waterton at 403-859-5133.
Watoga State Park, near Marlinton in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. At about 10,100 acres it is the state's largest state park, and cabin guests and campers can use designated night sky viewpoints at any time. Cabins and a spring-to-fall campground are on site; the park lists no formal night sky programs.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, in Colorado's Wet Mountain Valley, were the state's first International Dark Sky Community (2015). Free public star parties run May through October at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Bluff Park, at the west end of Main Street. Dark Skies, Inc. answers questions about the observatory at 719-398-1284.
Wimberley Valley, Texas, covering Wimberley and Woodcreek in Hays County, was certified an International Dark Sky Community in 2018. Both cities have outdoor lighting policies, and a volunteer committee formed after Dripping Springs earned its own designation in 2014. About 14,000 people live in the area; check a clear-sky forecast and plan around the new moon.
Wood Buffalo National Park, on the Alberta and Northwest Territories border, is a Dark-Sky Preserve (2013) promoted as the world's largest. The Fort Smith Visitor Centre, 867-872-7960, is the main contact, and camping comes in frontcountry, group and backcountry forms. Visitor services run May to October, the Milky Way shows from fall through spring, and some areas stay closed after the 2023 fires.
Zion National Park in southwest Utah is an International Dark Sky Park, certified in 2021, with its main entrance at Springdale. The park has run night programs for years and lists them on its NPS calendar; call 435-772-3256 for current events. Wilderness camping needs a permit, and the park does not name specific stargazing spots.