Park · WV, US
Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park, near Marlinton in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is an International Dark Sky Park certified in 2021. At about 10,100 acres it is the state's largest state park, and cabin guests and campers can use designated night sky viewpoints at any time. Cabins and a spring-to-fall campground are on site; the park lists no formal night sky programs.
Official site (opens in new tab) View on OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab) Source (opens in new tab)
| Type | Park |
| State / Province | WV |
| Country | United States |
| Nearest town | Marlinton |
| Certified | 2021 |
| Coordinates | 38.1025, -80.1560 |
| Source | https://darksky.org/places/watoga-state-park-dark-sky-park/ (opens in new tab) |
Plan Your Night
Tonight’s moon
Waning Crescent
1% illuminated. Rises 6:26 AM EST. Sets 4:40 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 · 74 km (46 mi)
- James River State Park · 130 km (81 mi)
- Rappahannock County Park · 187 km (116 mi)
- Staunton River State Park · 203 km (126 mi)
- Sky Meadows State Park · 215 km (134 mi)