Sanctuary · MN, US
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
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.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Sanctuary |
| State / Province | MN |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Ely |
| Certified | 2020 |
| Coordinates | 48.0010, -91.3363 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/boundary-waters-canoe-area-dark-sky-sanctuary/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
Waning Crescent
1% illuminated. Rises 5:28 AM CST. Sets 3:34 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
- Quetico Provincial Park · 46 km (29 mi)
- Voyageurs National Park · 126 km (78 mi)
- Keweenaw Dark Sky Park · 265 km (164 mi)
- Newport State Park · 452 km (281 mi)
- Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area · 493 km (307 mi)