Park · IL, US
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in Champaign County, Illinois, became an International Dark Sky Park in 2018. The North Waterfowl Management Area and the Dark Sky Trail, where visitors can set up their own telescopes, are open 24 hours. Camping is limited to the Harry L. Swartz Campground, and public programs usually take place at the observatory.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | IL |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Penfield |
| Certified | 2018 |
| Coordinates | 40.3827, -87.9703 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/middle-fork-river-forest-preserve-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
0% illuminated. Rises 6:04 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
- Homer Glen, Illinois · 135 km (84 mi)
- Palos Preserves · 145 km (90 mi)
- Beverly Shores, Indiana · 168 km (104 mi)
- Hawthorn Woods, Illinois · 204 km (127 mi)
- Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park · 248 km (154 mi)