Dark Sky Reserves are certified sites around the globe where light pollution doesn’t distort or dilute a view of the night sky. Many of these locations are found in desert landscapes where development doesn’t exist and the nights are largely clear of clouds of fog. You can gain a full view of the sky without impediments in these locations.
National Parks are a natural fit for Dark Sky Reserves as they limit or outlaw new development. There are other areas without national park or monument designations as well. Regardless, most night sky reserves are ideal for RVers because they overlap with public lands and developed camping opportunities. Currently, the United States is home to 135 dark sky reserves with high concentrations in the desert southwest but there are opportunities scattered across the country. I’m listing some of the highlights here but you can see every dark sky reserve here.
National Parks with Dark Sky Reserves
Big Bend National Park
The Texas borderlands have little light pollution and within the boundaries of this large park, you will find great RV camping, recreation and a big night sky backdropped by a stunning red rock landscape.
Joshua Tree National Park
It’s not far from several large cities but it couldn’t feel any farther from civilization. Joshua Tree is isolated from the city lights, making it a convenient and beautiful escape for RVers and especially for those with a home base in southern California.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
Located in Idaho, this monument really flies under the radar. It’s a big lava flow in a remote area and is one of my favorite stops in the state when traveling east/west across Idaho. The lack of development in this area and the clear skies make for perfect star gazing.
Glacier National Park
Located farther north, you want to choose the seasons wisely when stargazing in Glacier National Park. The best times are in the off-season when the days are shorter. If you catch a storm, the sky might fill with clouds but when it’s clear, the sky is phenomenal. It’s also great in summer but the days do last much longer, leaving less time to see the fully developed night sky.
Buffalo National River
Arkansas is filled with natural wonders and this river is framed by an amazing park. Grab a campsite and even consider paddling a calm stretch of river under the big sky.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
While Colorado is known for its high mountain peaks, it also holds a unique sand dune formation near Alamosa. The Alamosa area has huge undeveloped spaces and the sand dunes are a great backdrop for viewing the night sky.
Death Valley National Park
Another desert option in Nevada, this one is wide open throughout the year. It does become exceptionally hot in the height of summer however. The best time to visit is the middle of winter when the climate is comfortable for camping. It also brings out some of the most incredible starry nights you will ever experience.
Bryce Canyon National Park
You’ll notice a long list of Utah parks here. Southern Utah is loaded with national parks in a remote desert landscape that
Arches National Park
One of the smaller parks that is super convenient to Moab and easy to visit! Add this to your list.
Hovenweep National Monument
In 1200 AD, humans were living here and looking at the same night sky that you can view today. Located on the Colorado - Utah border, it’s out in the middle of nowhere and the perfect basecamp for meteor showers and other events.
Grand Canyon National Park
I’ve rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and camped on the rim. The canyon bottom is one of the coolest experiences you can have in a national park but the deep canyon walls somewhat obstruct the night sky. For optimal stargazing, setup camp on the rim with a view of the sky and canyon below.
Capitol Reef National Park
One of the somewhat overlooked parks in Utah is also one of the best dark sky reserves around. Make sure you visit the cathedral valley during the day to really make the most of this park.
Great Basin National Park
Nevada is home to a wonderful park with trails, big peaks, bugling elk and plenty of open space. It’s a year-round destination and one of my favorites in the spring and fall months.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
The east coast has fewer sites but there are still plenty of spaces with dark sky reserves. The Katahdin Woods in Maine is one of the special places that everyone should aspire to see.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida is full of beaches and backwoods with unique ecosystems, wildlife and open space. The Everglades often take the headlines but this area is adjacent to that park with a cypress swamp wilderness to explore.
Other Dark Sky Reserves to Visit
There are a ton of dark sky reserves to visit across the country! Most are RV friendly and if they don't have camping directly on-site, you can certainly find options nearby. Do a little digging and you will uncover some exceptional destinations to add-on an RV road trip.
Antelope Island State Park
This super unique park in Utah is filled with cool trails, difficult hikes and a ton of wildlife! Bring your binoculars and camera for some daytime fun and stay up late looking into the sky with your naked eye or through a telescope.
AMC Maine Woods
Central Maine is home to the Appalachian Mountain Club land that has lodges connected via trails within a big wilderness. You won’t be able to bring an RV but you can use trail systems to get way off the grid.
Central Idaho
We already mentioned Craters of the Moon but a huge swath of central Idaho is a dark sky reserve in itself. This means you can find RV parks or public land campsites that have privacy and an unobstructed view of the sky.
Beverly Shores
Indiana has beautiful river bottoms and forests and a ton of rural space with little light pollution. This particular site sits on Lake Michigan and is surprisingly close to Chicago. The big lake and rural location make it great for viewing the night sky.
Blanco, Texas
Not many cities make the list of dark sky preserves. In this community however, you can gain a clear view of the night sky while sitting on the back porch. The town is dedicated to minimizing light pollution and they have a culture that embraces the natural surroundings.
Boundary Waters
The canoe trail in Minnesota is a natural fit for a dark sky reserve. It’s a large wilderness area largely covered in water. With a permit, you can canoe from lake to lake, portaging on the land between each waterway. It’s perfect for RVers who can stage in their RV before and after the canoe trip.
Where will you go stargazing this year?
Watching the stars is such a simple thing that we often get hunkered down inside for the evening and forget to enjoy the night sky. By making a point to visit dark sky reserves, you can engage with the universe in a meaningful way while visiting places that are both remote and beautiful. Add a few locations to your route, download an app to help identify constellations and read a few books about the fascinating sky we get to watch each night.
