Park · NC, US
Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory
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.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | NC |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Burnsville |
| Certified | 2014 |
| Coordinates | 35.9172, -82.2997 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/mayland-earth-to-sky-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
Waning Crescent
1% illuminated. Rises 6:31 AM EST. Sets 4:54 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
- Cataloochee Ranch · 83 km (51 mi)
- The Swag · 88 km (54 mi)
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute · 98 km (61 mi)
- Obed Wild and Scenic River · 219 km (136 mi)
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area · 235 km (146 mi)