Park · VA, US
James River State Park
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.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | VA |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Gladstone |
| Certified | 2019 |
| Coordinates | 37.6257, -78.8086 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/james-river-state-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
0% illuminated. Rises 6:20 AM EST. Sets 4:35 PM EST. 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
- Natural Bridge State Park · 65 km (41 mi)
- Staunton River State Park · 103 km (64 mi)
- Watoga State Park · 130 km (81 mi)
- Rappahannock County Park · 134 km (83 mi)
- Sky Meadows State Park · 169 km (105 mi)