Park · TX, US
Big Bend National Park
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.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | TX |
| Country | United States |
| Certified | 2012 |
| Coordinates | 29.3332, -103.1943 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/big-bend-national-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
1% illuminated. Rises 6:45 AM CST. Sets 5:34 PM CST. Times are local to the park.
Next new moon
November 9, 2026
The darkest, best-for-stargazing night in the current lunar cycle. See the full trip planner for the next 12 months of new-moon windows.
Upcoming meteor showers
- Leonids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, November 17, 2026
- Geminids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 13, 2026
- Ursids Meteor Shower Peak 2026, December 22, 2026
5 nearest dark sky places
- Black Gap Wildlife Management Area · 39 km (24 mi)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park · 87 km (54 mi)
- Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve · 155 km (96 mi)
- Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit · 229 km (142 mi)
- South Llano River State Park · 349 km (217 mi)