The Best Dark Sky Parks In The United States

Few things are more magical than staring up into the night sky at the wide expanse of stars. Seeing a planet in the distance, a fleeting shooting star, studying the moon, or seeing the soft wave of the Milky Way can be both amazing and calming. From astronomers, to avid stargazers, and even complete novices, there is something special about looking up into the night sky. This incredible experience is what Dark Sky Parks are all about.

Technically speaking, Dark Sky Parks are described by the International Dark Sky Association as “an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.” More simply, they are protected areas where light pollution from things like cities and large light sources do not affect stargazing. The area is dark enough, and far enough away from this light pollution, that an abundance of stars can be seen readily and easily (assuming the weather complies). 

This list will look at eight major dark sky parks in the United States which offer amazing views of the world beyond our planet.

1. Big Bend National Park
2. The Grand Canyon
3. Glacier National Park
4. Cherry Springs State Park
5. Arches Canyon National Park
6. Headlands International Dark Sky Park
7. Mayland Earth-to-Sky Park And Bare Dark Sky Observatory
8. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend, in Texas, includes both the Chisos mountain range and part of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is known for being an excellent location for stargazing, and has Dark Sky status. In fact, according to NPS (National Park Service), it has the “least light pollution of any other national park unit in the lower 48 states.” Its remote location makes it ideal for viewing the night sky, as there is virtually no light pollution in the area. The park also offers various night sky programs which both guide and educate visitors about the world beyond our planet.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, in addition to being one of the most popular national parks, is also a dark sky park. This park is one of the newest to gain this designation, being declared a dark sky in 2019. Arizona is ideal for stargazing, as most of the area experiences clear skies year round. Additionally, there are few people that live in and around the canyon area, menaing there is almost no major settlements for light pollution. For these reasons, the Grand Canyon National Park is growing in popularity as a dark sky reserve.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, in Montana, is located in the Rocky Mountains. The dark sky area in Glacier borders with the Canadian Waterton counterpart to form an expansive dark sky park. Night time tours and twilight walks are common, and the raised elevation of the park helps to separate it from any light pollution, and improve the likeihood of clear skies, for excellent stargazing conditions.

Cherry Springs State Park

In the east, one of the best dark sky parks is Cherry Springs. It was named Pennsylvania's first dark sky park by the DCNR in 2000, and an International Dark Sky Park in 2007. The park is located in the state of Pennsylvania, and it is one of the very best places to see the Milky Way. The elevation of the Allegheny Plateau allows for a panoramic 360 view of the skies. In addition, given the right conditions, the Northern Lights, (or Aurora Borealis) can also be seen in the Cherry Springs State Park.

Arches Canyon National Park

Utah has a high number of dark sky areas, and is full of stargazing opportunities. Arches has a strong sense of galactic wonder. The park hosts an annual astronomy festival, and also puts on some 100 or more astronomy programs each year. The park focuses both on stargazing, from the clear bright star opportunities, to education and informational sessions for visitors to the park.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

This park is located in Michigan state, and has some of the best dark sky viewing in the northern United States. The park is mainly a remote area of woodlands and meadows, from which the open skies can be viewed with ease. The remote nature of the park means there is very little light pollution from nearby cities, and at times, the Aurora Borealis can even be seen here. These wonders of the sky are awe-inspiring and difficult to spot in areas so south, so Headlands has become increasingly popular with ameatur astronomers and stargazers. 

Mayland Earth-to-Sky Park And Bare Dark Sky Observatory

The Mayland Earth-to-sky Park was the first IDA-certified Dark Sky Park in the southeast United States. The area is located roughly 10 kilometers outside of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, outside of the bright lights of any major cities. This lack of civilization makes this dark sky park such a great place for viewing stars and night skies. The region is so focused on dark skies, that 2019 saw the construction of a full size planetarium. 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was designated as a dark sky park in 2019. The park is located in the Colorado Desert of California. The desert climate, and its lack of large cities means the park has excellent dark sky conditions. Additionally, the town of Borrego was declared a Dark Sky Community due to its use of special low-light emission bulbs and fixtures which reduce light pollution. This means that any light coming from the nearby town does not interfere greatly with the viewing of the stars, moon, or sky-gazing generally, helping to improve the dark sky conditions. 

Dark Sky Parks And Dark Sky Communities In The United States