Last updated: April 16, 2025
Article
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!
Stay up late and discover the night on any visit to a national park! Or check out our ten favorite places to stargaze!
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Arches National ParkUtah - While Arches may be known for its geology, its brilliant night skies are worth staying after dark.
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Cape Lookout National SeashoreNorth Carolina - The lighthouse isn't the only thing lighting up the night sky. Discover some of the darkest skies along the east coast.
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Dinosaur National MonumentColorado - See the milky way with startling clarity at one of Colorado's darkest places.
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Big Cypress National PreserveFlorida - Big Cypress was the first park east of Colorado to become an International Dark Sky place!
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Joshua Tree National ParkCalifornia - Boasting some of the darkest nights in Southern California, Joshua Tree offers an oasis away from light pollution.
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Obed Wild & Scenic RiverTennessee - The 17th NPS site to receive International Dark Sky Place designation, Obed Wild & Scenic River is a treat for stargazers!
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Glacier National ParkMontana - Explore the night at Glacier National Park on your own or during a summer astronomy program!
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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkHawaiʻi - Lava may or may not glow below, but the stars are sure to shine at night!
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Acadia National ParkMaine - Be dazzled by the Milky Way! Acadia has remarkably dark skies for its proximity to Portland, Boston, and New York.
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*
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*
Tags
- acadia national park
- arches national park
- big bend national park
- big cypress national preserve
- cape lookout national seashore
- dinosaur national monument
- glacier national park
- hawaiʻi volcanoes national park
- joshua tree national park
- obed wild & scenic river
- night skies
- dark skies
- stargazing
- explore nature