Dark sky parks in Nevada
Three certified places protect Nevada's night, with 8 stays listed nearby.
At a glance
- Darkest
- Exceptional darkness, shared by two placesGreat Basin National Park and Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area. Bortle 1–2, all estimates.
- Next moonless nights
- Nov 5–12
- Dec 5–11
- Jan 3–9
- Feb 1–8
- Mar 3–9Dark at all three places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Apr 1–7
- May 1–7
- Jun 1–5Dark at all three places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- May 31–Jun 6The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 1–6Dark at all three 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 30–Aug 5Dark at all three places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 30–Aug 6The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Aug 29–Sep 4Dark at all three places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Aug 29–Sep 5The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Sep 27–Oct 3
- Stays nearby
- 8 listedNear all three places.
- Milky Way core season
- Mid Feb to mid OctLongest at Death Valley National Park; shortest at Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area, late Feb to early Oct.
Compare the 3 parks
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 | Great Basin National Park | Exceptional darknessMilky Way obviousBortle 1–2 · estimate | Elyabout 40 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Apr 1–7May 1–7Jun 1–6Jul 1–6Jul 30–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 4Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 2 | Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area | Exceptional darknessMilky Way obviousBortle 1–2 · estimate | Alturasabout 45 mi | 2 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Apr 1–7May 1–7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–7Jul 30–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 3 | Death Valley National Park | Very darkMilky Way across the sky on clear nightsBortle 3 · estimate | Pahrumpabout 40 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 3–9Apr 1–7May 1–7Jun 1–5Jul 1–6Jul 30–Aug 5Aug 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.