Park · VA, US
Staunton River State Park
Staunton River State Park, near Scottsburg, was Virginia's first state park named an International Dark Sky Park (July 2015). A field beside the visitor center is open year-round for observing, and the Staunton River Star Party runs each March and October with free public Saturday nights. The 48-site campground opens the first Friday in March, and eight 1930s cabins are available; park hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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 | Scottsburg |
| Certified | 2015 |
| Coordinates | 36.7062, -78.6793 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/staunton-river-state-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
New Moon
1% illuminated. Rises 6:17 AM EST. Sets 4:37 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
- James River State Park · 103 km (64 mi)
- Natural Bridge State Park · 129 km (80 mi)
- Watoga State Park · 203 km (126 mi)
- Rappahannock County Park · 228 km (141 mi)
- Sky Meadows State Park · 262 km (163 mi)