What is a Dark Sky Park?

A dark sky preserve or park is an area of designated land where there is no light pollution, which is unwanted or excessive light at night from buildings, street lights, and other sources. Without light pollution, dark sky preserves present an incredible opportunity to view the night sky like you’ve never seen before. 

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) certifies public and private tracts of land across the globe that are dedicated to maintaining and protecting such dark sky environments for the purposes of scientific, educational, and public enjoyment. 

Can You RV Camp at a Dark Sky Park in the U.S.? 

You sure can! Whether you’re an amateur stargazer or an astrophotographer, there are plenty of RV campgrounds that feature brilliant starry skies for you to gaze upon. 

There are parks in:

• Utah, such as Dark Sky RV Campground in Kanab
• Colorado, such as Great Sand Dunes National Park
• New Mexico, such as Valles Caldera National Preserve
• Texas, such as Chisos Basin Campground in Big Bend National Park
• Florida, such as Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Park 
• and many other states, too!

Each campground will differ in the amenities available—for example, some may have full hookups and bathhouses while others may be simple boondocking setups—but all will have the main goal of making the night sky and billions of stars easy to see for all visitors. 

What Rules Do You Have to Follow at Dark Sky Parks?

As with any RV campground or resort, the rules and regulations will vary among properties, but in general, dark sky campgrounds will have extra rules in places to ensure that everyone can see the night sky as intended. 

For example, camp fires may not be allowed on observation pads, or if they are, they must be extinguished by a certain time each night. Additionally, any items that emit excessive light (such as outdoor lighting) or cause disruptive noise (such as generators) may be prohibited during quiet hours. Have you ever camped in a dark sky RV campground before? What was the experience like? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!