Visit Parks with Dark Night Skies

Parks are home to some of the last remaining harbors of starlit skies—some practically untouched by light pollution! Over forty parks within the National Park System are International Dark Sky Places, certified by Dark Sky International. These places provide amazing opportunities to experience night and gaze up at the celestial wonders of the night sky.

Stay up late and discover the night on any visit to a national park! Or check out our ten favorite places to stargaze!

Arches National Park

Utah - While Arches may be known for its geology, its brilliant night skies are worth staying after dark.

Cape Lookout National Seashore

North Carolina - The lighthouse isn't the only thing lighting up the night sky. Discover some of the darkest skies along the east coast.

Dinosaur National Monument

Colorado - See the milky way with startling clarity at one of Colorado's darkest places.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida - Big Cypress was the first park east of Colorado to become an International Dark Sky place!

Joshua Tree National Park

California - Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree offers an oasis away from light pollution.

Obed Wild & Scenic River

Tennessee - The 17th NPS site to receive International Dark Sky Place designation, Obed Wild & Scenic River is a treat for stargazers!

Glacier National Park

Montana - Explore the night at Glacier National Park on your own or during a summer astronomy program!

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi - Lava may or may not glow below, but the stars are sure to shine at night!

Acadia National Park

Maine - Be dazzled by the Milky Way! Acadia has remarkably dark skies for its proximity to Portland, Boston, and New York.

Parks with International Dark Sky Certification

An asterisk* denotes areas certified by Dark Sky International as an International Dark Sky Place.

Arizona

Chiricahua National Monument*

Grand Canyon National Park*

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument*

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Petrified Forest National Park*

Pipe Spring National Monument*

Sunset Crater National Monument*

Tonto National Monument*

Tumacácori National Historical Park*

Walnut Canyon National Monument*

Wupatki National Monument*

Arkansas

Buffalo National River*

California

Death Valley National Park*

Joshua Tree National Park*

Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park*

Curecanti National Recreation Area*

Dinosaur National Monument*

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument*

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve*

Hovenweep National Monument*

Mesa Verde National Park*

Idaho

Craters of the Moon National Monument*

Florida

Big Cypress National Preserve*

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park*

Maine

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument*

Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park*

Montana

Glacier National Park*

Nevada

Great Basin National Park*

New Mexico

Capulin Volcano NM*

Chaco Culture National Historical Park*

El Morro National Monument*

Fort Union National Monument*

Salinas Pueblo Missions NM*

Valles Caldera National Preserve*

North Carolina

Cape Lookout National Seashore*

Tennessee

Obed Wild and Scenic River*

Texas

Big Bend National Park*

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park*

Utah

Arches National Park*

Bryce Canyon National Park*

Canyonlands National Park*

Capitol Reef National Park*

Cedar Breaks National Monument*

Dinosaur National Monument*

Natural Bridges National Monument*

Rainbow Bridge National Monument*

Timpanogos Cave National Monument*

Zion National Park*

Discover the Night!

Learn more about night skies

Where this belongs

• Acadia National Park
• Arches National Park
• Big Bend National Park
• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Cape Lookout National Seashore
• Dinosaur National Monument

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