South Llano River State Park
Dark · Milky Way overhead, hazy lower down
No stays listed yetDevils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit Dark Sky Sanctuary
- How dark?
- Very dark · Milky Way across the sky on clear nights
- Entry
- $5 per person 13+ · park closes 10 pm; gate 4 pm
- Food & town
- Del Rio · about 40 mi
- Certified
- Dark Sky Sanctuary · 2019
How dark is it, really?
Dark enough to see the Milky Way stretch across the sky on a clear night, with only a faint glow from distant towns low on the horizon. (For the detail-minded: Bortle class 3, an estimate.)
When should I go?
Pick a night when the moon is down. The next stretch of moonless evenings is Nov 6–11.
| Best nights | Moonlight | Worth staying up for |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6–11 | None · darkest skies | A sky full of stars, and extra shooting stars (Leonids) |
| Dec 5–11 | Mostly none · thin crescent on the edge nights | 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 2–8 | Thin crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core |
| Mar 3–9 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core |
| Apr 2–8 | Mostly none · thin crescent on the edge nights | The Milky Way core |
| May 2–7 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core, and a meteor shower peak (Eta Aquariids) |
| Jun 1–5 | Thin crescent, rises late | The Milky Way core |
| Jul 1–6 | Thin crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core |
| Jul 31–Aug 5 | Thin crescent, sets early | The Milky Way core, and extra shooting stars (Southern Delta Aquariids and Perseids) |
| Aug 29–Sep 3 | None · darkest skies | The Milky Way core |
| Sep 27–Oct 2 | None · darkest skies | The Milky Way core |
Computed from public astronomical data for this location. Updated monthly. How it's computed
Milky Way season here: Early Feb to late Oct. Out of season until early Feb. In season now, through late 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 Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit.
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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Getting in after dark
The park is open 8 am to 10 pm, but the gate is open only 8 am to 4 pm. Reservations are required to visit either unit of Devils River; the two units are far apart, so check which unit you booked.
Food, fuel, and supplies
Del Rio, TX is about 40 mi away in a straight line, with groceries (Walmart Supercenter, H-E-B and 1 more), 13 gas stations, and 20+ places to eat on the map. The nearest gas is closer: Quick Stop, about 20 mi away. Nearest places to eat on the map: J and P Bar n Grill (about 20 mi), Wright's Steak House (about 35 mi), and DFAC (about 35 mi).
Distances are straight-line and approximate. Places on the map may not be open. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
✓ Certification verified Jun 2026 against DarkSky International registry (Internet Archive capture) · entry fee from Texas Parks and Wildlife (Sep 2026) · after-dark access and night permits from Texas Parks and Wildlife (Sep 2026) · darkness: Bortle 3, estimated (Sep 2026) · nearest town from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) (Sep 2026)
Dark sky places near Devils River State Natural Area, Del Norte Unit
For a trip with more than one dark night: the closest within 150 miles, nearest first. Distances are straight-line, not driving.
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Dark · Milky Way overhead, hazy lower down
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Exceptional darkness · Milky Way obvious
1 stay nearby →Dark Sky Community Fredericksburg, Texas
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3 stays nearby →