Dark sky places in Missouri
Two certified places protect Missouri's night, with 4 stays listed nearby.
At a glance
- Darkest
- Thousand Hills State ParkDark · Milky Way overhead, hazy lower down. Bortle 4, an estimate.
- Next moonless nights
- Nov 6–12
- Dec 5–11
- Jan 3–9
- Feb 1–8
- Mar 3–9Dark at both places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Apr 1–7Dark at both places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Apr 1–8The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- May 1–7
- Jun 1–6
- Jul 1–6Dark at both places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 1–7The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 31–Aug 6Dark at both places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Aug 29–Sep 4
- Sep 27–Oct 3
- Stays nearby
- 4 listedNear both places.
- Milky Way core season
- Mid Feb to mid OctLongest at Stacy Park; shortest at Thousand Hills State Park, late Feb to early Oct.
Compare the 2 places
Sorted darkest first; places with the same rating are A to Z. The numbers match the map.
| Number | Place | How dark | Nearest town | Stays | Next moonless nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thousand Hills State Park | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Kirksvilleabout 10 mi | 1 stay | Nov 6–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Apr 1–7May 1–7Jun 1–6Jul 1–7Jul 30–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 4Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 2 | Stacy Park | Bright skyOnly the brightest starsBortle 7–9 · estimate | Olivettein town | 3 stays | Nov 6–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 3–9Apr 1–8May 1–7Jun 1–6Jul 1–6Jul 31–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 4Sep 27–Oct 3 |
Darkness ratings are estimates from satellite data unless marked measured (how we rate darkness). Moonless nights are computed for each place's coordinates; weather isn't included (how). A town has at least 250 people and a grocery store on the map; distances are straight lines, so the drive is longer (how). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.