Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Dark · Milky Way overhead, hazy lower down
3 stays nearby →Flagstaff, Arizona Dark Sky Community
The world's first International Dark Sky Place, home to Lowell Observatory and the world's first outdoor lighting ordinance.
- How dark?
- Some light pollution · Constellations, not much Milky Way
- Food & town
- Flagstaff · in town
- Certified
- Dark Sky Community · 2001
How dark is it, really?
The Milky Way is hard to make out here, though the main constellations and bright planets are easy to find. (For the detail-minded: Bortle class 5–6, an estimate.)
When should I go?
Pick a night when the moon is down. The next stretch of moonless evenings is Nov 6–12.
| Best nights | Moonlight | Worth staying up for |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6–12 | Thin crescent, sets early | A sky full of stars, and extra shooting stars (Leonids) |
| Dec 5–11 | Thin crescent, sets early | A sky full of stars, and extra shooting stars (Geminids) |
| Jan 3–9 | Thin crescent, rises late | A sky full of stars, and a meteor shower peak (Quadrantids) |
More dark windows, through Oct 2027
| Best nights | Moonlight | Worth staying up for |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1–8 | Mostly none · thin crescent on the edge nights | A sky full of stars |
| Mar 3–9 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core |
| Apr 1–7 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core |
| May 2–7 | None · darkest skies | The Milky Way core, and a meteor shower peak (Eta Aquariids) |
| Jun 1–6 | Mostly none · thin crescent on the edge nights | The Milky Way core |
| Jul 1–6 | Thin crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core |
| Jul 30–Aug 5 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core, and a meteor shower peak (Southern Delta Aquariids) |
| Aug 29–Sep 4 | Crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core |
| Sep 27–Oct 3 | Thin crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core |
Computed from public astronomical data for this location. Updated monthly. How it's computed
Milky Way season here: Mid Feb to mid Oct. Out of season until mid Feb. In season now, through mid Oct.
Meteor showers ahead: Leonids on Nov 17–18 (half moon, sets around midnight), Geminids on Dec 13–14 (thin crescent, sets early), Ursids on Dec 22–23 (full moon, up all night), and Quadrantids on Jan 3–4 (thin crescent, rises late)Lyrids on Apr 22–23 (bright moon for most of the night)Eta Aquariids on May 5–6 (none · darkest skies)Southern Delta Aquariids on Jul 30–31 (thin crescent, rises late)Perseids on Aug 12–13 (bright moon for most of the night).
Email me before the next dark window at Flagstaff, Arizona.
About one email a month, a few days before the moon goes dark: the dates here, the moonlight, and what's worth staying up for. Unsubscribe in one click.
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What it's like
Flagstaff has been at this longer than anyone. In 1958 it passed the world's first outdoor lighting ordinance, and on October 24, 2001, it became the world's first International Dark Sky Place. It is a working city, so expect some glow in town, but its lighting restrictions are enforced. It has shown that a growing city can protect its night sky without giving up on growth.
Astronomy runs deep here. Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered, has welcomed visitors for more than 125 years with evening programs and telescope viewing, and it holds a Pluto Festival each February. Flagstaff also helped train the Apollo astronauts and map the moon, and the U.S. Naval Observatory has a station here. Some observatory programs need reservations, so check ahead.
For a darker sky than town gives you, head into the surrounding forests, parks, and high desert, which are close by and far from city lights. Clear, moonless nights are best, and late spring through early fall usually brings the most reliable viewing. Each year the city celebrates with the Flagstaff Star Party and Celebration of the Night, which has included star party nights at Buffalo Park.
Food, fuel, and supplies
Flagstaff, AZ is right here, with groceries (Fry's Food and Drug, Whole Foods Market, Walmart Supercenter and 8 more), 20+ gas stations, and 20+ places to eat on the map. Nearest places to eat on the map: Agave Mexican Restaurant (under 1 mi), Starbucks (under 1 mi), and Route 66 Dog Haus (under 1 mi).
Distances are straight-line and approximate. Places on the map may not be open. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Night sky tours near Flagstaff, Arizona
Private Stargazing at Your Hotel in Flagstaff or Sedona
Arizona Private Tours LLC · starts in your hotel in Flagstaff or Sedona, about 5 min · checked Sep 2026
These are affiliate links: we earn a commission if you book a tour through them.
✓ Certification verified Sep 2026 against DarkSky International registry (Internet Archive capture) · darkness: Bortle 5–6, estimated · nearest town from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Dark sky places near Flagstaff, Arizona
For a trip with more than one dark night: the closest within 150 miles, nearest first. Distances are straight-line, not driving.
Dark Sky Park Dark Sky Community Sedona, Arizona
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