Dark sky parks in Virginia
Six certified places protect Virginia's night, with 18 stays listed nearby.
At a glance
- Darkest
- Dark, shared by three placesJames River State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, and Staunton River State Park. Bortle 4, all estimates.
- Next moonless nights
- Nov 6–12
- Dec 5–11
- Jan 3–9
- Feb 1–8
- Mar 3–9
- Apr 1–8
- May 1–7
- Jun 1–6
- Jul 1–6
- Jul 31–Aug 6
- Aug 29–Sep 4
- Sep 27–Oct 3
- Stays nearby
- 18 listedThree near each place.
- Milky Way core season
- Mid Feb to mid Oct
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 | James River State Park | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Lovingstonabout 10 mi | 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 |
| 2 | Natural Bridge State Park | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Glasgowabout 6 mi | 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 |
| 3 | Staunton River State Park | DarkMilky Way overhead, hazy lower downBortle 4 · estimate | Clarksvilleabout 8 mi | 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 |
| 4 | Rappahannock County Park | Some light pollutionConstellations, not much Milky WayBortle 5–6 · estimate | Front Royalabout 15 mi | 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 |
| 5 | Sky Meadows State Park | Some light pollutionConstellations, not much Milky WayBortle 5–6 · estimate | Marshallabout 10 mi | 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 |
| 6 | Observatory Park at Turner Farm | Bright skyOnly the brightest starsBortle 7–9 · estimate | Great Fallsin 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.