Bucket List: International Dark Sky Places

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is dedicated to protecting night skies for present and future generations.

DID YOU KNOW: Dark starry skies are unavailable to 99% of people in the continental United States and Western Europe. What do the night skies look like where you are?

What are International Dark Sky Places?

The IDA International Dark Sky Places conservation program recognizes and promotes excellent stewardship of the night sky. There are six types of International Dark Sky designations: Communities, Parks, Reserves, Sanctuaries, Urban Night Sky, and Developments of Distinction.

International Dark Sky Communities

An International Dark Sky Community is a city or town that adopts lighting ordinances and educates residences about the importance of dark skies.

International Dark Sky Parks

An International Dark Sky Park is land with exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a protected nocturnal environment. Parks often provide dark sky programs for visitors.

International Dark Sky Reserves

An International Dark Sky Reserve is a zone surrounded by a population that has enacted policies to preserve and protect the darkness within the central zone.

International Dark Sky Sanctuaries

An International Dark Sky Sanctuary is a dark and remote place; its conservation is the most fragile.

Urban Night Sky Places

An Urban Night Sky Place is a property surrounded by urban environments whose planning and design promotes an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light.

Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction

A Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction is an area, such as a subdivision or master planned community, that is not qualified for International Dark Sky Community designation but is otherwise promoting dark skies.

Map of International Dark Sky Places

The International Dark-Sky Association has a great map of International Dark Sky Places.

Bucket List: International Dark Sky Places

All International Dark Sky Places are listed in this table. Sort by or search on the Visited column to see where we’ve been and read the associated post(s).

Trip Over Life – Bucket List: International Dark Sky Places

IDSP Name	IDSP Type	Visited	Post
Beverly Shores	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Big Park / Village of Oak Creek	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Bisei Town of Ibara City	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Blanco	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Bon Accord	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Borrego Springs	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/best-short-hikes-in-anza-borrego-desert-state-park/
Camp Verde	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Castle Valley	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Coll	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Cottonwood	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Crestone	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Dripping Springs	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Flagstaff	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/volcanoes-pueblos-cliff-dwellings-and-a-meteor-crater-near-flagstaff-arizona/
Fountain Hills	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/shout-out-to-tow-truck-driver-dan/
Fulda	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Groveland	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Hawthorn Woods	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Homer Glen	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Horseshoe Bay	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Jonestown	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Julian	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Ketchum	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Moffat	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Møn and Nyord	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Municipality of Jelsa, Hvar	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
North Ronaldsay	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Nucla and Naturita	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Pellworm and Spiekeroog	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Presteigne and Norton	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Sark, Channel Islands	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Sedona	International Dark Sky Community	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Springdale	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Thunder Mountain Pootseev Nightsky	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Torrey	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Wimberley Valley	International Dark Sky Community	FALSE
Aenos National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Albanyà	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Antelope Island State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/best-short-hikes-in-anza-borrego-desert-state-park/
Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine Woods	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Arches National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/arches-national-park/
Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Big Bend National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/big-bend-national-park/
Big Bend Ranch State Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/west-texas-marfa-and-the-arts-star-party/
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park/
Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Bryce Canyon National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/bryce-canyon-national-park/
Buffalo National River	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Bükk National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Calvin Price State Forest	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Canyonlands National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Cape Lookout National Seashore	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Capitol Reef National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/utah-scenic-byway-12/
Capulin Volcano National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Cedar Breaks National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Chaco Culture National Historic Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/c-is-for-canyon-de-chelly-and-chaco-culture/
City of Rocks National Reserve	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Cherry Springs State Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/international-dark-sky-park-cherry-springs-state-park-coudersport-pennsylvania/
Copper Breaks State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Craters Of The Moon National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Curecanti National Recreation Area	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	https://www.tripoverlife.com/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park/
Davagh Forest Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
De Boschplaat	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Dead Horse Point State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Death Valley National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/death-valley-national-park/
Desengano State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Dinosaur National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Elan Valley Estate	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Flagstaff Area National Monuments	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/volcanoes-pueblos-cliff-dwellings-and-a-meteor-crater-near-flagstaff-arizona/
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Fort Union National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Fremont Indian State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Galloway Forest Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Geauga Observatory Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Goblin Valley State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Goosenecks State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Grand Canyon National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/grand-canyon-national-park/
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Great Basin National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Headlands	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Hehuan Mountain	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Hortobágy National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Hovenweep National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Jordanelle State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Joshua Tree National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/joshua-tree-national-park/
Kartchner Caverns State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Kodachrome Basin State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Kozushima Island	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Lauwersmeer National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Mammoth Cave National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	https://www.tripoverlife.com/corvettes-and-caves-in-kentucky/
Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Mesa Verde National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Milton Reimers Ranch Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Møn and Nyord	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Natural Bridge State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Natural Bridges National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Naturpark Attersee-Traunsee	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Newport State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Obed Wild and Scenic River	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Oracle State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Oxford Forest Conservation Area	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE
Parc national du Mont-Tremblant	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Petrified Forest National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/petrified-forest-national-park/
Petrova gora-Biljeg	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Pipe Spring National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Prineville Reservoir State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Quetico Provincial Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Ramon Crater	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Rappahannock County Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Rockport State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Sky Meadows State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Slumgullion Center	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
South Llano River State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Staunton River State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Steinaker State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Stephen C. Foster State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Top of the Pines	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Tumacácori National Historic Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
UBarU Camp and Retreat Center	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Valles Caldera National Preserve	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Voyageurs National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Warrumbungle National Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/glacier-national-park
Watoga State Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Weber County North Fork Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
West Penwith	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Winklmoosalm, Germany	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Zion National Park	International Dark Sky Park	TRUE	https://www.tripoverlife.com/zion-national-park/
Zselic National Landscape Protection Area	International Dark Sky Park	FALSE
Aoraki Mackenzie	International Dark Sky Reserve	TRUE	http://www.tripoverlife.com/aoraki-mackenzie-international-dark-sky-reserve-new-zealand
Brecon Beacons National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Central Idaho	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Cévennes National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Exmoor National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve	International Dark Sky Reserve	TRUE	https://www.tripoverlife.com/big-bend-national-park/, https://www.tripoverlife.com/west-texas-marfa-and-the-arts-star-party/
Kerry	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Mont-Mégantic	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Moore’s Reserve, South Downs	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
NamibRand Nature Reserve	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
North York Moors National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Pic du Midi	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Rhön	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
River Murray	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Snowdonia National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Vercors Regional Natural Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve	International Dark Sky Reserve	TRUE
Westhavelland	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
Yorkshire Dales National Park	International Dark Sky Reserve	FALSE
!Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Aotea / Great Barrier Island	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Cosmic Campground	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Devils River State Natural Area - Del Norte Unit	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Gabriela Mistral	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Medicine Rocks State Park	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Pitcairn Islands	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Rainbow Bridge National Monument	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Stewart Island / Rakiura	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	TRUE
Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island)	International Dark Sky Sanctuary	FALSE
Harmony	Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction	FALSE
Sierra la Rana	Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction	FALSE
Lost Creek	Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction	FALSE
River Hills	Dark Sky Friendly Developments of Distinction	FALSE
Fry Family Park	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Minami-Rokuroshi of Ono City	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Palos Preserves	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
parc du Mont-Bellevue	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Parque Ecológico Joya-La Barreta	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Stacy Park	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Timpanogos Cave National Monument	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge	Urban Night Sky Place	FALSE

last updated: 12-Jul-2023