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)
- AMC Maine Woods (U.S.)
- Antelope Island State Park (U.S.)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (U.S.)
- Arches National Park (U.S.)
- 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.)
- Cape Lookout National Seashore (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.)
- Chiricahua National Monument (U.S.)
- Clayton Lake State Park (U.S.)
- Copper Breaks State Park (U.S.)
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument (U.S.)
- Curecanti National Recreation Area (U.S.)
- De Boschplaat (Netherlands)
- Dead Horse Point State Park (U.S.)
- Death Valley National Park (U.S.)
- Desengano State Park (Brazil)
- 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.)
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (U.S.)
- Fort Union National Monument (U.S.)
- Fremont Indian State Park (U.S.)
- Galloway Forest Park (Scotland)
- Geauga Observatory Park (U.S.)
- Goblin Valley State Park (U.S.)
- Goosenecks 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)
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (U.S.)
- Mammoth Cave National Park (U.S.)
- Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory (U.S.)
- Mayo Dark Sky Park (Ireland)
- Mesa Verde National Park (U.S.)
- Middle Fork River Forest Preserve (U.S.)
- Milton Reimers Ranch Park (U.S.)
- Møn and Nyord (Denmark)
- Natural Bridge State Park (U.S.)
- Natural Bridges National Monument (U.S.)
- Naturpark Attersee-Traunsee (Austria)
- Newport State Park (U.S.)
- North Fork Park (U.S.)
- Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park (England)
- Obed Wild and Scenic River (U.S.)
- OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory (Northern Ireland)
- 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.)
- Pipe Spring National Monument (U.S.)
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (U.S.)
- Prineville Reservoir State Park (U.S.)
- Quetico Provincial Park (Canada)
- Ramon Crater (Israel)
- Rappahannock County Park (U.S.)
- Rockport State Park (U.S.)
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S.)
- Sky Meadows State Park (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.)
- Top of the Pines (U.S.)
- Tumacácori National Historical Park (U.S.)
- UBarU Camp and Retreat Center (U.S.)
- Valles Caldera National Preserve (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.)
- Watoga State Park (U.S.)
- West Penwith (England)
- Winklmoosalm (Germany)
- Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park (South Korea)
- Zion National Park (U.S.)
- 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 (PDF)2018 International Dark Sky Park Checklist
Portuguese description of the International Dark Sky Park Guidelines, courtesy of Silvia Maria Carneiro de Campos
Submission and Review Process
IDSP applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and in the order they are received. When the applicant completes a draft application, they will need to email a single PDF document to the Director of Conservation with the name of the site and designation type in the subject line. Staff will reach out to the applicant with further instructions and guidance to craft a complete and thorough application. Once IDA Staff deems the application complete, it will be provided with a batch of other completed nominations to the Dark Sky Places Committee (DSPC) for consideration.
Resources for applicants
Sample Lighting Management Plan (PDF)Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Guidelines for Outdoor Lighting (PDF)
How to conduct a night sky quality survey
