Dark sky parks in Ohio
Two certified places protect Ohio's night, with 5 stays listed nearby.
At a glance
- Darkest
- Some light pollution, at both placesFry Family Park and Geauga Observatory Park. Bortle 5–6, all estimates.
- Next moonless nights
- Nov 6–12
- Dec 5–11
- Jan 3–9
- Feb 1–8
- Mar 2–9
- Apr 1–8
- May 1–7
- Jun 1–6Dark at both places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 1–7
- Jul 31–Aug 6
- Aug 29–Sep 4Dark at both 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
- 5 listedNear both places.
- Milky Way core season
- Late Feb to early Oct
Compare the 2 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 | Fry Family Park | Some light pollutionConstellations, not much Milky WayBortle 5–6 · estimate | Cantonabout 7 mi | 3 stays | Nov 6–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Apr 1–8May 1–7Jun 1–6Jul 1–7Jul 31–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 4Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 2 | Geauga Observatory Park | Some light pollutionConstellations, not much Milky WayBortle 5–6 · estimate | Chardonabout 7 mi | 2 stays | Nov 6–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Apr 1–8May 1–7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–7Jul 31–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 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.