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Type of place

Certified dark-sky places

105 places certified by DarkSky International or protected as dark-sky preserves, where lighting is controlled to keep the night.

1Bortle93International Dark Sky ReserveNamibRand Nature ReserveNamibiaNamibia21.90 mag/arcsec² · May–Sep2Bortle90International Dark Sky ParkGrand Canyon National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkEl Morro National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkBryce Canyon National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkSalinas Pueblo Missions National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.83 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkCedar Breaks National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.83 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkLapalala WildernessSouth AfricaSouth Africa21.76 mag/arcsec² · May–Sep2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkPetrified Forest National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkMesa Verde National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.80 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle89International Dark Sky ParkChaco Culture National Historical ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkChiricahua National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.82 mag/arcsec² · Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGreat Basin National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkPipe Spring National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.84 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkCanyonlands National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkKodachrome Basin State ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan2Bortle88International Dark Sky CommunityNorwoodUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky CommunityTorreyUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGoblin Valley State ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle88International Dark Sky ParkGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveUnited StatesUnited States21.84 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCapitol Reef National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkBig Bend National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.88 mag/arcsec² · Mar–Apr, Oct–Dec2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkHovenweep National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkArches National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle87International Dark Sky CommunityNuclaUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCraters of the Moon National Monument and PreserveUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct2Bortle87International Dark Sky ParkCapulin Volcano National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle86International Dark Sky ParkZion National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.81 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle86International Dark Sky ParkWarrumbungle National ParkAustraliaAustralia21.88 mag/arcsec² · Apr–Aug2Bortle86International Dark Sky CommunitySilver CliffUnited StatesUnited States21.78 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Dec2Bortle86International Dark Sky CommunityWestcliffeUnited StatesUnited States21.77 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Dec2Bortle86International Dark Sky CommunityNaturitaUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle86International Dark Sky CommunityKetchumUnited StatesUnited States21.85 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct3Bortle85International Dark Sky ParkJoshua Tree National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.47 mag/arcsec² · Apr, Aug–Nov3Bortle85International Dark Sky CommunityCamp VerdeUnited StatesUnited States21.56 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov3Bortle85International Dark Sky ParkMakhtesh Ramon National ParkIsraelIsrael21.38 mag/arcsec² · Jul–Oct3Bortle85International Dark Sky CommunityVillage of Oak CreekUnited StatesUnited States21.61 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov3Bortle85International Dark Sky ParkFlorissant Fossil Beds National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.65 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle85International Dark Sky ParkDeath Valley National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.69 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle84International Dark Sky ReservePic du Midi de BigorreFranceFrance21.78 mag/arcsec² · Feb, Sep–Oct2Bortle84International Dark Sky SanctuaryRainbow Bridge National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan3Bortle84Starlight Tourism DestinationAlqueva ReservoirPortugalPortugal21.65 mag/arcsec² · Feb, Jul–Sep, Nov2Bortle83International Dark Sky ParkDinosaur National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle83dark-sky preserveCypress Hills Interprovincial ParkCanadaCanada21.88 mag/arcsec² · Feb, Sep–Dec1Bortle82dark-sky preserveGrasslands National ParkCanadaCanada21.89 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb3Bortle82International Dark Sky CommunitySedonaUnited StatesUnited States21.42 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov3Bortle82International Dark Sky ParkTonto National MonumentUnited StatesUnited States21.37 mag/arcsec² · Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov2Bortle81International Dark Sky ParkWaterton-Glacier International Peace ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.87 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan1Bortle81dark-sky preserveJasper National ParkCanadaCanada21.89 mag/arcsec² · Dec–Feb2Bortle81dark-sky preserveMount Carleton Provincial ParkCanadaCanada21.88 mag/arcsec² · Jan–Feb1Bortle81dark-sky preserveWood Buffalo National ParkCanadaCanada21.90 mag/arcsec² · Dec–Feb4Bortle80International Dark Sky CommunityBorrego SpringsUnited StatesUnited States21.20 mag/arcsec² · Aug–Nov4Bortle80International Dark Sky ParkAnza-Borrego Desert State ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.20 mag/arcsec² · Aug–Nov2Bortle79International Dark Sky ParkVoyageurs National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.86 mag/arcsec² · Jan–Feb, Sep2Bortle79International Dark Sky ParkBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkUnited StatesUnited States21.79 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov1Bortle79dark-sky preserveKawarau Gibbston Dark Sky ParkNew ZealandNew Zealand21.89 mag/arcsec² · Jun–Jul2Bortle78International Dark Sky ParkOxford Forest Conservation Area Dark Sky ParkNew ZealandNew Zealand21.83 mag/arcsec² · May–Jul1Bortle78International Dark Sky SanctuaryPitcairn IslandsUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.90 mag/arcsec² · Feb–Mar2Bortle78International Dark Sky SanctuaryGreat Barrier IslandNew ZealandNew Zealand21.82 mag/arcsec² · Apr–Aug3Bortle78International Dark Sky ReserveCévennes National ParkFranceFrance21.64 mag/arcsec² · Aug–Oct, Dec3Bortle78International Dark Sky ParkHehuanshanTaiwanTaiwan21.51 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct2Bortle78dark-sky preserveFundy National ParkCanadaCanada21.82 mag/arcsec² · Jan, Sep–Oct3Bortle78dark-sky preserveNorth FrontenacCanadaCanada21.67 mag/arcsec² · Jan–Mar, Sep1Bortle78dark-sky preserveTāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky SanctuaryNew ZealandNew Zealand21.90 mag/arcsec² · Jun–Jul3Bortle77International Dark Sky ParkHortobágy National ParkHungaryHungary21.62 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct2Bortle77dark-sky preserveKaikōura Dark Sky SanctuaryNew ZealandNew Zealand21.88 mag/arcsec² · Apr–Jul2Bortle76dark-sky preservePoloniny Dark-Sky ParkSlovakiaSlovakia21.75 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct3Bortle76International Dark Sky ParkZselic National Landscape Protection AreaHungaryHungary21.58 mag/arcsec² · Mar, Aug–Oct1Bortle76International Dark Sky SanctuaryStewart Island/RakiuraNew ZealandNew Zealand21.89 mag/arcsec² · May–Aug3Bortle76International Dark Sky ParkBükk National ParkHungaryHungary21.57 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct3Bortle76International Dark Sky ParkWinklmoos-AlmGermanyGermany21.66 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Jan2Bortle76International Dark Sky CommunitySarkGuernseyGuernsey21.69 mag/arcsec² · Sep2Bortle76dark-sky preserveBruce Peninsula National ParkCanadaCanada21.76 mag/arcsec² · Mar, Sep–Oct2Bortle76International Dark Sky ParkBodmin MoorUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.69 mag/arcsec² · Feb, Sep–Dec3Bortle75International Dark Sky ParkMønDenmarkDenmark21.60 mag/arcsec² · Mar, Sep–Nov3Bortle75International Dark Sky CommunityNyordDenmarkDenmark21.60 mag/arcsec² · Mar, Sep–Nov3Bortle75dark-sky preserveTorrance BarrensCanadaCanada21.55 mag/arcsec² · Jan–Mar, Sep3Bortle74dark-sky preserveManětín Dark Sky ParkCzechiaCzechia21.56 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct2Bortle74International Dark Sky ParkWild Nephin National ParkIrelandIreland21.85 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb3Bortle74International Dark Sky ReserveRhön Biosphere ReserveGermanyGermany21.57 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct3Bortle74dark-sky preserveIzera Dark Sky ParkCzechiaCzechia21.45 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Dec3Bortle74dark-sky preserveElk Island National ParkCanadaCanada21.38 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb2Bortle74International Dark Sky ParkIriomote-Ishigaki National ParkJapanJapan21.81 mag/arcsec² · Jul–Sep3Bortle74International Dark Sky ReserveWesthavelland Nature ParkGermanyGermany21.52 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov2Bortle73International Dark Sky CommunityCollUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.84 mag/arcsec² · Feb–Mar, Oct, Dec3Bortle73International Dark Sky ReserveExmoor National ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.52 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb3Bortle73International Dark Sky ParkGalloway Forest ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.58 mag/arcsec² · Nov–Feb3Bortle72International Dark Sky ParkAlbanyàSpainSpain21.37 mag/arcsec² · Nov–Jan3Bortle72International Dark Sky ParkNorthumberland National ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.52 mag/arcsec² · Nov–Feb3Bortle71International Dark Sky ParkKielder Water & Forest ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.54 mag/arcsec² · Nov–Feb3Bortle70International Dark Sky ReserveEryri National ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.46 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb3Bortle70International Dark Sky CommunityMoffatUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.48 mag/arcsec² · Nov–Feb4Bortle70International Dark Sky CommunityBon AccordCanadaCanada21.11 mag/arcsec² · Dec–Feb4Bortle69International Dark Sky CommunityDripping SpringsUnited StatesUnited States20.72 mag/arcsec² · Aug–Nov3Bortle69International Dark Sky ParkElan ValleyUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.47 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb4Bortle68International Dark Sky ReserveCranborne ChaseUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.23 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb4Bortle68International Dark Sky CommunityHorseshoe BayUnited StatesUnited States20.62 mag/arcsec² · Aug–Nov3Bortle67International Dark Sky ReserveBannau Brycheiniog National ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom21.32 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb4Bortle66International Dark Sky ParkEifel National ParkGermanyGermany20.98 mag/arcsec² · Jan–Mar, Sep–Oct4Bortle65dark-sky preserveMcDonald ParkCanadaCanada20.81 mag/arcsec² · Sep4Bortle65dark-sky preservePoint Pelee National ParkCanadaCanada20.73 mag/arcsec² · Sep4Bortle62International Dark Sky ReserveSouth Downs National ParkUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom20.74 mag/arcsec² · Oct–Feb5Bortle58International Dark Sky CommunityFlagstaffUnited StatesUnited States19.50 mag/arcsec² · Sep–Nov5Bortle56International Dark Sky CommunityBeverly ShoresUnited StatesUnited States20.07 mag/arcsec² · Sep6Bortle51International Dark Sky CommunityFountain HillsUnited StatesUnited States19.09 mag/arcsec² · Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov6Bortle40International Dark Sky CommunityFuldaGermanyGermany19.08 mag/arcsec² · Mar, Sep–Oct

A place enters a type from Wikidata, the light model, the sky calculations, OpenStreetMap and the sister atlases. Ordered by the Darkskyas Score.

The family

Do you prefer beaches, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, islands, rivers, canyons, caves, dark skies, viewpoints, birdwatching or forests?

Same idea, other landscapes: field atlases built on open data, in seven languages.

beachesCoastyaFind your beach: sea temperature, sun and swimming month by month.Visit lakesLakeyasEvery lake on Earth: water temperature, ice, depth and the shore.Visit mountainsPeakyasEvery summit in 3D: summit weather, the 0 °C line, huts and trails.Visit waterfallsCascadyasEvery waterfall: height, flow month by month and when it roars.Visit islandsIslandyasEvery island from the sea up: size, sea temperature, ferries and 3D.Visit riversRiveryasEvery river from source to sea: the journey, the flow and the basin in numbers.Visit canyonsCanyonyasEvery canyon cut to scale: depth to the floor, rim and floor temperatures, trails and viewpoints.Visit cavesCavernyasEvery cave with its real depth and length: the rock above, the temperature inside all year, and how to visit.Visit
dark skiesDarkskyasWhere the night is still dark: the sky of every place, the Milky Way month by month, the Moon, eclipses and auroras.You are here
viewpointsViewyasEvery viewpoint with its real 360° panorama: the peaks you can name, how far you see and where the sun sets.Coming soonVisit
birdwatchingBirdyasEvery bird sanctuary and wetland with the species recorded month by month: who is resident, who comes for the summer, who only passes through.Coming soonVisit
forestsForestyaEvery forest with its land-cover rings, what grows and lives in it, and the best months to walk it.Coming soonVisit