Park · KY, US
Mammoth Cave National Park
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.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | KY |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Mammoth Cave |
| Certified | 2021 |
| Coordinates | 37.1842, -86.1230 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/mammoth-cave-national-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
1% illuminated. Rises 5:49 AM CST. Sets 4:06 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
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area · 137 km (85 mi)
- Obed Wild and Scenic River · 173 km (107 mi)
- The Swag · 319 km (198 mi)
- Cataloochee Ranch · 326 km (203 mi)
- Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory · 369 km (230 mi)