United States Has 30 International Dark Sky Parks as of October 2016

Summary: As of October 2016, the United States has 30 International Dark Sky Parks certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Cherry Springs State Park became the United States’ second International Dark Sky Park but also the first such certified park in the eastern United States; night sky, with Milky War and stars, over Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, Pennsylvania, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010: Nicholas A. Tonelli (Nicholas_T), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

As of October 2016, the United States has 30 International Dark Sky Parks, accounting for 75 percent of the total of 41 International Dark Sky Parks certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.

International Dark Sky Parks celebrate the wonders of nighttime skies. All levels of stargazers, from novice to amateur to expert, enjoy exploring darkened skies that are undiminished by light pollution.

Co-founded in 1988 by astronomer David Livingstone Crawford and radiologist Timothy “Tim” B. Hunter, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) aims to protect nightscapes worldwide by way of the association's dark sky place certification programs. Certification serves to identify worldwide parks committed to promoting an outstanding quality of starry nights via dark sky preservation.

International Dark Sky Parks emphasize public access and outreach as well as proper stewardship of nocturnal environments. Certification requires usage of eco-friendly outdoor lighting fixtures as effective remedies for reducing or eliminating light pollution.

The first-ever certification of an International Dark Sky Park dates to March 6, 2007, with accreditation of Natural Bridges National Monument in southwestern Utah. The most recent U.S. park certification, occurring Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, for New Mexico’s Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S.), brings the total to 30 for International Dark Sky Parks sited in the United States.

International Dark Sky Parks in the western United States, currently tallied at 23, represent 75 percent of the U.S. certification total of 30. The star-filled Four Corners States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah account for 16 of the western United States’ 23 International Dark Sky Parks.

In addition to the star-filled Four Corners States, four other western states participate in the International Dark-Sky Association’s certification. Their combined tally of successful certifications accounts for seven International Dark Sky Parks.

Texas has four International Dark Sky Parks. Big Bend National Park in far west Texas offers backpacking and hiking trails and super dark skies. Copper Breaks State Park in northern Texas emphasizes its exceptional night skies amid a landscape of fractures and faults, known as breaks, two small lakes and trails. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in central Texas features star parties along with caving, hiking and picnicking. UBarU Camp and Retreat Center in west central Texas encompasses publicly-available, privately-owned land in a part of the scenic Hill Country.

Death Valley National Park in California and Great Basin National Park in Nevada contribute to the southwest’s dominant holdings of western United States’ International Dark Sky Parks. Solitary certification in the Pacific Northwest goes to southwestern Washington’s Goldendale Observatory State Park.

Seven states in the eastern United States account for seven International Dark Sky Parks. Four Eastern Seaboard states have International Dark Sky Parks: central Florida’s Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park; western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park; north central Pennsylvania’s Cherry Springs State Park; south central Virginia’s Staunton River State Park.

Two east north central states have International Dark Sky Parks: northwestern Michigan’s Headlands Park; northeastern Ohio’s Geauga Observatory Park. The eastern south central United States holds one International Dark Sky Park: northeastern middle Tennessee’s Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area.

The takeaway for the United States’ 30 International Dark Sky Parks is that proper stewardship of the nighttime skies expands appreciation of the nightly spectacle, naturally available to skywatchers and stargazers, that breaks up darkness with recognizable sparkles.

On Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument became the United States' 30th International Dark Sky Park; annular eclipse visible Sunday, May 20, 2012, from Gran Quivira Ruins, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair, New Mexico; although formally closed at night, the park was opened as a special program for visitor viewing: National Park Service, Public Domain, via Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument New Mexico

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Cherry Springs State Park became the United States’ second International Dark Sky Park but also the first such certified park in the eastern United States; night sky, with Milky War and stars, over Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, Pennsylvania, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010: Nicholas A. Tonelli (Nicholas_T), CC BY 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholas_t/5073271013/

On Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument became the United States' 30th International Dark Sky Park; annular eclipse visible Sunday, May 20, 2012, from Gran Quivira Ruins, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Mountainair, New Mexico; although formally closed at night, the park was opened as a special program for visitor viewing: National Park Service, Public Domain, via Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument New Mexico @ https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery.htm?id=CA5A00D2-155D-451F-67204EB2E4464DEE

For further information:

“Big Bend National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/bigbend/

“Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/blueridge/

“Cherry Springs State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/cherrysprings/

“Copper Breaks State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/copperbreaks/

“Death Valley National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/deathvalley/

“Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/enchantedrock/

“Geauga Observatory Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/geauga/

“Goldendale Observatory Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/goldendale/

“Great Basin National Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/greatbasin/

“Headlands (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/headlands/

The International Dark-Sky Association. Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Lighting Solutions for Individuals and Communities. Mechanicsburg PA: Stackpole Books, 2012.

“International Dark Sky Parks.” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/

“Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/kissimmeeprairie/

“Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/pickettpogue/

“Staunton River State Park (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/stauntonriver/

“UBarU Camp and Retreat Center (U.S.).” International Dark-Sky Association > International Dark Sky Places > International Dark Sky Parks.
Available @ http://darksky.org/idsp/parks/ubaru/