Discover America’s Dark Skies: 46 National Park Destinations
Some of the last truly dark skies in the continental United States are protected within the National Park System. From towering desert canyons to remote volcanic landscapes, and quiet forests to sweeping barrier islands, these 46 parks, monuments, preserves, and seashores offer front-row seats to the universe.
Designated as Dark Sky Parks, these special places aren’t just about stargazing—they protect night habitats for wildlife, preserve natural rhythms for plants and animals, and allow humans to reconnect with the cosmos. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or simply laying back on a blanket under the Milky Way, the experience is unforgettable.
From the desert expanses of Big Bend and Joshua Tree to the alpine heights of Glacier and the coastal tranquility of Cape Lookout, each park offers its own unique dark-sky magic. Explore ancient ruins, desert sands, volcanic craters, and river valleys while the night sky comes alive with constellations, planets, and the Milky Way in astonishing clarity.
These 46 parks are your passport to the stars—and a reminder that natural darkness is one of America’s most precious resources.
Northern Rockies
- Glacier National Park
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Southwest
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Chiricahua National Monument
- Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
- El Morro National Monument
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Pipe Spring National Monument
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
- Saguaro National Park
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument
- Tonto National Monument
- Tumacacori National Historical Park
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- Wupatki National Monument
- Zion National Park
Texas
Atlantic Coast
- Cape Lookout National Seashore
Gulf Coast
- Big Cypress National Preserve
Mid-South
- Buffalo National River
- Obed Wild & Scenic River
Southern Appalachians / Southeast
- Mammoth Cave National Park
Midwest
- Voyageurs National Park
Northeast
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Dark Sky National Parks of the U.S.A. 
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