An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. The land may be publicly owned, or privately owned provided that the landowner(s) consent to the right of permanent, ongoing public access to specific areas included in the IDA designation.
Certified IDA International Dark Sky Parks
- Albanyà (Spain)
- Antelope Island State Park (U.S.)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (U.S.)
- Arches National Park (U.S.)
- Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness (Ireland)
- Big Bend National Park (U.S.)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park (U.S.)
- Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S.)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (U.S.)
- Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape (England)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S.)
- Buffalo National River (U.S.)
- Bükk National Park (Hungary)
- Canyonlands National Park (U.S.)
- Capitol Reef National Park (U.S.)
- Capulin Volcano National Monument (U.S.)
- Cedar Breaks National Monument (U.S.)
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S.)
- Cherry Springs State Park (U.S.)
- Clayton Lake State Park (U.S.)
- Copper Breaks State Park (U.S.)
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument (U.S.)
- Davagh Forest Park and Beaghmore Stone Circles
- De Boschplaat (Netherlands)
- Dead Horse Point State Park (U.S.)
- Death Valley National Park (U.S.)
- Dinosaur National Monument (U.S.)
- Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park (U.S.)
- East Canyon State Park (U.S.)
- Eifel National Park (Germany)
- El Morro National Monument (U.S.)
- Elan Valley Estate (Wales)
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (U.S.)
- Flagstaff Area National Monuments (U.S.)
- Fort Union National Monument (U.S.)
- Galloway Forest Park (Scotland)
- Geauga Observatory Park (U.S.)
- Goblin Valley State Park (U.S.)
- Grand Canyon National Park (U.S.)
- Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (U.S.)
- Great Basin National Park (U.S.)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (U.S.)
- Headlands (U.S.)
- Hehuan Mountain (Taiwan, R.O.C.)
- Hortobágy National Park (Hungary)
- Hovenweep National Monument (U.S.)
- Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Japan)
- Jackson Lake State Park (U.S.)
- James River State Park (U.S.)
- Jordanelle State Park (U.S.)
- Joshua Tree National Park (U.S.)
- Kartchner Caverns State Park (U.S.)
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (U.S.)
- Kodachrome Basin State Park (U.S.)
- Kozushima Island (Japan)
- Lauwersmeer National Park (Netherlands)
- Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory (U.S.)
- Middle Fork River Forest Preserve (U.S.)
- Møn and Nyord (Denmark)
- Natural Bridges National Monument (U.S.)
- Newport State Park (U.S.)
- Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park (England)
- Obed Wild and Scenic River (U.S.)
- Oracle State Park (U.S.)
- Petrified Forest National Park (U.S.)
- Petrova gora-Biljeg (Croatia)
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area (U.S.)
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (U.S.)
- Ramon Crater (Israel)
- Rappahannock County Park (U.S.)
- Rockport State Park (U.S.)
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S.)
- Slumgullion Center (U.S.)
- South Llano River State Park (U.S.)
- Staunton River State Park (U.S.)
- Steinaker State Park (U.S.)
- Stephen C. Foster State Park (U.S.)
- Tomintoul and Glenlivet - Cairngorms (Scotland)
- Tonto National Monument (U.S.)
- Tumacácori National Historical Park (U.S.)
- UBarU Camp and Retreat Center (U.S.)
- Voyageurs National Park (U.S.)
- Vrani kamen (Croatia)
- Wai-Iti (New Zealand)
- Warrumbungle National Park (Australia)
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (Canada/U.S.)
- Weber County North Fork Park (U.S.)
- Winklmoosalm (Germany)
- Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park (South Korea)
- Zselic National Landscape Protection Area (Hungary)
Designate an International Dark Sky Park
IDA designates International Dark Sky Places following a rigorous application process requiring applicants to demonstrate robust community support for dark sky protection and document designation-specific program requirements. Learn more and start the process here.
Download the current International Dark Sky Park guidelines
2018 International Dark Sky Park Guidelines
2021 Submission Deadline Dates
| 22 February 2021 | 31 May 2021 |
| 30 August 2021 | 29 November 2021 |
Resources for applicants
How to conduct a night sky quality survey
