Cherry Springs State Park

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.

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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 ShoresInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Big Park / Village of Oak CreekInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Bisei Town of Ibara CityInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
BlancoInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Bon AccordInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Borrego SpringsInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/best-short-hikes-in-anza-borrego-desert-state-park/
Camp VerdeInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
CollInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
CottonwoodInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
CrestoneInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Dripping SpringsInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
FlagstaffInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/volcanoes-pueblos-cliff-dwellings-and-a-meteor-crater-near-flagstaff-arizona/
Fountain HillsInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/shout-out-to-tow-truck-driver-dan/
FuldaInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
GrovelandInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Hawthorn WoodsInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Homer GlenInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Horseshoe BayInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
JulianInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
KetchumInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
MoffatInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Møn and NyordInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Municipality of Jelsa, HvarInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
North RonaldsayInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Nucla and NaturitaInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Pellworm and SpiekeroogInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Sark, Channel IslandsInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
SedonaInternational Dark Sky CommunityTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/red-rocks-of-sedona/
Thunder Mountain Pootseev NightskyInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
TorreyInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Westcliffe and Silver CliffInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Wimberley ValleyInternational Dark Sky CommunityFALSE
Aenos National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
AlbanyàInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Antelope Island State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/best-short-hikes-in-anza-borrego-desert-state-park/
Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine WoodsInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Arches National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/arches-national-park/
Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin WildernessInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Big Bend National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/big-bend-national-park/
Big Bend Ranch State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/west-texas-marfa-and-the-arts-star-party/
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park/
Bodmin Moor Dark Sky LandscapeInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Bryce Canyon National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/bryce-canyon-national-park/
Buffalo National RiverInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Bükk National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Calvin Price State ForestInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Canyonlands National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Cape Lookout National SeashoreInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Capitol Reef National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/utah-scenic-byway-12/
Capulin Volcano National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Cedar Breaks National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Chaco Culture National Historic ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/c-is-for-canyon-de-chelly-and-chaco-culture/
City of Rocks National ReserveInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Cherry Springs State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/international-dark-sky-park-cherry-springs-state-park-coudersport-pennsylvania/
Copper Breaks State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Craters Of The Moon National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Curecanti National Recreation AreaInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttps://www.tripoverlife.com/black-canyon-of-the-gunnison-national-park/
Davagh Forest ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
De BoschplaatInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Dead Horse Point State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Death Valley National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/death-valley-national-park/
Desengano State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Dinosaur National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Droop Mountain Battlefield State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Dr. T.K. Lawless County ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Elan Valley EstateInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Enchanted Rock State Natural AreaInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Flagstaff Area National MonumentsInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/volcanoes-pueblos-cliff-dwellings-and-a-meteor-crater-near-flagstaff-arizona/
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument International Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Fort Union National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Fremont Indian State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Galloway Forest ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Geauga Observatory ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Goblin Valley State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Goosenecks State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Grand Canyon National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/grand-canyon-national-park/
Grand Canyon-Parashant National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Great Basin National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
HeadlandsInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Hehuan MountainInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Hortobágy National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Hovenweep National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Iriomote-Ishigaki National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Jordanelle State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Joshua Tree National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/joshua-tree-national-park/
Kartchner Caverns State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Keweenaw Mountain LodgeInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Kodachrome Basin State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Kozushima IslandInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Lauwersmeer National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Mammoth Cave National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttps://www.tripoverlife.com/corvettes-and-caves-in-kentucky/
Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky ObservatoryInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation AreaInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Mesa Verde National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Middle Fork River Forest PreserveInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Milton Reimers Ranch ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Møn and NyordInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Natural Bridge State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Natural Bridges National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Naturpark Attersee-TraunseeInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Newport State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Obed Wild and Scenic RiverInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Oracle State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Petrified Forest National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/petrified-forest-national-park/
Petrova gora-Biljeg International Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural AreaInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Pipe Spring National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Pisgah Astronomical Research InstituteInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Prineville Reservoir State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Quetico Provincial ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Ramon CraterInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Rappahannock County ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Rockport State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Salinas Pueblo Missions National MonumentInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Sky Meadows State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Slumgullion CenterInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
South Llano River State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Staunton River State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Steinaker State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Stephen C. Foster State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Tomintoul and Glenlivet – CairngormsInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Top of the PinesInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Tumacácori National Historic ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
UBarU Camp and Retreat CenterInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Valles Caldera National PreserveInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Voyageurs National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Warrumbungle National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Waterton-Glacier International Peace ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/glacier-national-park
Watoga State ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Weber County North Fork ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
West PenwithInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Winklmoosalm, GermanyInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Yeongyang Firefly Eco ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Zion National ParkInternational Dark Sky ParkTRUEhttps://www.tripoverlife.com/zion-national-park/
Zselic National Landscape Protection AreaInternational Dark Sky ParkFALSE
Aoraki MackenzieInternational Dark Sky ReserveTRUEhttp://www.tripoverlife.com/aoraki-mackenzie-international-dark-sky-reserve-new-zealand
Brecon Beacons National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Central IdahoInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Cévennes National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Exmoor National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky ReserveInternational Dark Sky ReserveTRUEhttps://www.tripoverlife.com/big-bend-national-park/, https://www.tripoverlife.com/west-texas-marfa-and-the-arts-star-party/
KerryInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Mont-MéganticInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Moore’s Reserve, South DownsInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
NamibRand Nature ReserveInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
North York Moors National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Pic du MidiInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
RhönInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
River MurrayInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Snowdonia National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Wairarapa Dark Sky ReserveInternational Dark Sky ReserveTRUE
WesthavellandInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
Yorkshire Dales National ParkInternational Dark Sky ReserveFALSE
!Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage ParkInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Aotea / Great Barrier IslandInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Black Gap Wildlife Management AreaInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Boundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Cosmic CampgroundInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Devils River State Natural Area - Del Norte UnitInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Gabriela MistralInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Katahdin Woods and Waters National MonumentInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Lost Trail National Wildlife RefugeInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Massacre Rim Wilderness Study AreaInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Medicine Rocks State ParkInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Pitcairn IslandsInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Rainbow Bridge National MonumentInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryFALSE
Stewart Island / RakiuraInternational Dark Sky SanctuaryTRUE
HarmonyDark Sky Friendly Developments of DistinctionFALSE
Sierra la RanaDark Sky Friendly Developments of DistinctionFALSE
Lost CreekDark Sky Friendly Developments of DistinctionFALSE
River HillsDark Sky Friendly Developments of DistinctionFALSE
Fry Family ParkUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE
Palos PreservesUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE
parc du Mont-BellevueUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE
Stacy ParkUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE
Timpanogos Cave National MonumentUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE
Valle de Oro National Wildlife RefugeUrban Night Sky PlaceFALSE

last updated: 12-Jul-2023

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