Darkest States in the US 2025

Alaska
13
California
7
Oregon
7
Utah
6
Montana
4
Nevada
4
New Mexico
4
Idaho
3
Colorado
2
Hawaii
2
Nebraska
2
Wyoming
2
Arizona
1
Maine
1
Michigan
1
Minnesota
1
New Hampshire
1
New York
1
Oklahoma
1
South Dakota
1
Texas
1
State
# of IDA Certified Sites
IDA-Certified Sites
Arizona Flag
Arizona9Chiricahua NM, Flagstaff Area NM, Grand Canyon NP, Kartchner Caverns SP, Oracle SP, Petrified Forest NP, Pipe Spring NM, Tonto Monument NM, Tumacacori NP
Arkansas Flag
Arkansas1Buffalo National River NR
California Flag
California3Anza-Borrego Desert SP, Death Valley NP Joshua Tree NP
Colorado Flag
Colorado7Dinosaur NM, Florissant Fossil Beds NM, Great Sand Dunes NP, Jackson Lake SP, Kelso Dunes NP, Mesa Verde NP, Slumgullion Center CP,
Connecticut Flag
Connecticut3Beckley Furnace SP, Campbell Falls SP, Dennis Hill SP
Florida Flag
Florida2Big Cypress Preserve NP, Kissimmee Prairie SP
Georgia Flag
Georgia1Stephen C. Foster SP
Idaho Flag
Idaho2Craters of the Moon NM, Central Idaho Dark Sky NR
Illinois Flag
Illinois1Middle Fork River SF
Maine Flag
Maine1Katahdin Woods & Waters NM
Michigan Flag
Michigan2Dr. T.K. Lawless CP, Headlands SP
Minnesota Flag
Minnesota2Boundary Waters Canoe NWR, Voyageurs NP
Montana Flag
Montana1Medicine Rocks SP
Nevada Flag
Nevada2Great Basin NP Massacre Rim WSA
New Mexico Flag
New Mexico8Capulin Volcano NM, Chaco Culture NP, Clayton Lake SP, Cosmic Campground, El Morro NM, Fort Union NM, Salinas Pueblo Missions NM, Valle de Oro NWR
North Carolina Flag
North Carolina2Mayland Earth to Sky SP Pisgah SP
Ohio Flag
Ohio1Geauga SP
Oregon Flag
Oregon1Prineville Reservoir SP
Pennsylvania Flag
Pennsylvania1Cherry Springs SP
Tennessee Flag
Tennessee2Obed Wild & Scenic River NR Pickett CCC Memorial SP
Texas Flag
Texas7Big Bend NP, Big Bend Ranch SP, Copper Breaks SP, Devil's River SNA, Enchanted Rock SNA, South Llano River SP, UBarU Camp & Retreat
Utah Flag
Utah19Antelope Island SP, Arches NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Cedar Breaks NM, Dead Horse Point SP, East Canyon SP, Fremont Indian SP, Goblin Valley SP, Goosenecks SP, Hovenweep NM, Jordanelle SP, Kodachrome Basin SP, Natural Bridges NM, North Fork SP, Rainbow Bridge NM, Steinaker SP, Timpangogos NM,
Virginia Flag
Virginia5James River SP, Natural Bridge SP, Rappahannock CP, Sky Meadow SP, Staunton River SP
Washington Flag
Washington1Rockport SP
Wisconsin Flag
Wisconsin1Newport SP
  • The Bortle scale is a method of measuring the darkness of the night sky for a particular location, with Class 9 possessing the most light pollution and Class 1 possessing the lowest light pollution (and therefore optimal viewing)
  • The IDA column indicates if a site is certified by the International DArk Sky Association. A Bortle scale value is given for each site where it is known.
  • IDA listings utilize the following abbreviations: NP = national park | SP = state park | NF = national forest | SF = state forest | NWR = national wildlife reserve | SRA = state recreational area
  • Local astronomy clubs are a recommended source for precise, local-scale guidance in locating the darkest (and most ideal) viewing locations.