Dark sky parks in Oregon
Six certified places protect Oregon's night, with 17 stays listed nearby.
At a glance
- Darkest
- Very dark, shared by two placesAntelope, Oregon and Cottonwood Canyon State Park. Bortle 3, all estimates.
- Next moonless nights
- Nov 5–12
- Dec 5–11
- Jan 3–9
- Feb 1–8
- Mar 2–9
- Mar 31–Apr 7
- May 1–7Dark at all six places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- May 31–Jun 6Dark at all six places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 1–7Dark at all six places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jun 30–Jul 8The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 30–Aug 6Dark at all six places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Jul 30–Aug 7The earliest. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Aug 29–Sep 5
- Sep 27–Oct 3Dark at all six places on these nights. Each place's own dates are in the table.
- Sep 27–Oct 4
- Stays nearby
- 17 listedNear all six places.
- Milky Way core season
- Late Feb to early OctLongest at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve; shortest at Cottonwood Canyon State Park, mid Mar to mid Sep.
Compare the 6 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 | Antelope, Oregon | Very darkMilky Way across the sky on clear nightsBortle 3 · estimate | Maupinabout 25 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7Apr 30–May 7May 31–Jun 6Jun 30–Jul 8Jul 30–Aug 7Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 4 |
| 2 | Cottonwood Canyon State Park | Very darkMilky Way across the sky on clear nightsBortle 3 · estimate | Moroabout 15 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7Apr 30–May 7May 30–Jun 6Jun 30–Jul 8Jul 30–Aug 7Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 4 |
| 3 | Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Cave Junctionabout 15 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7May 1–7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–7Jul 30–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 4 | Oregon Outback | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Lakeviewin town | 2 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7May 1–7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–7Jul 30–Aug 6Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 3 |
| 5 | Prineville Reservoir State Park | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Prinevilleabout 15 mi | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7Apr 30–May 7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–8Jul 30–Aug 7Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 4 |
| 6 | Sisters, Oregon | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Sistersin town | 3 stays | Nov 5–12Dec 5–11Jan 3–9Feb 1–8Mar 2–9Mar 31–Apr 7Apr 30–May 7May 31–Jun 6Jul 1–8Jul 30–Aug 7Aug 29–Sep 5Sep 27–Oct 4 |
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.