Virginia State Parks' International Dark Sky Parks

Virginia State Parks has four parks designated as International Dark Sky Parks by DarkSky International - Staunton River, James River, and the recently added Natural Bridge and Sky Meadows. International Dark Sky Parks (IDSPs) are parks with an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that are protected for their scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.

As well as the four state parks recognized by DarkSky International,  Rappahannock County Park in Washington, Virginia, is a designated International Dark Sky Park.

As part of the designation process, the parks established an outdoor lighting policy that minimized light pollution, reached out to the local community, and organized and promoted programs for guests to enjoy stargazing.

	Staunton River State Park (SR)
	Staunton River Park staff achieved the designation by establishing an outdoor lighting policy that minimizes light pollution. They also outreached to the local community by hosting and promoting the Staunton River Star Party for guests to enjoy stargazing and camping. Learn More	Designation: July 2015 Location: Scottsburg
	James River State Park (JR)
	The designation recognizes the park's commitment to providing visitors with the best opportunities to enjoy the night sky. It also protects all natural resources, from dark skies to water, land and wildlife. Learn More	Designation: April 2019 Location: Gladstone
	Natural Bridge State Park (NB)
	The Dark Sky designation is a continuation of the park’s effort to bring understanding and awareness to our natural resources in a unique and enjoyable way. The hope is to inspire surrounding communities to make quality outdoor lighting a priority so that Virginia can halt and reverse the decades’ long trend of growing light pollution. Learn More	Designation: April 2021 Location: Natural Bridge
	Sky Meadows State Park (SK)
	Volunteers initiated astronomy programs decades ago, leading to the designation process of Sky Meadows. They recognized the unique resource of dark skies outside of a growing urban area. Turner Pond is now a Dark Sky Observation Area for self-guided observations, where astronomers and stargazers may practice astronomy after regular park hours. Learn More	Designation: April 2021 Location: Delaplane

Nighttime light pollution is common east of the Mississippi River, and natural nighttime darkness is disappearing, making stargazing more difficult. Dark Sky designation recognizes areas and organizations working to maintain spaces where the public can easily see the stars. The designation marks the beginning of our work in maintaining the dark skies, demonstrating that much of what visitors love about our dark sky parks hinges on resources and factors beyond our boundaries. It is a reminder that the designation's longevity must not be taken for granted. We hope it will inspire others to consider the impact that outdoor lighting choices at home and in their communities make on the conservation and enjoyment of our valued resources.

Dark Sky Events

Information on this page changes occasionally so check back often.

Shadow over the Moon

Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center

March 1, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

March 3, 2026. 3:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.

Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

March 3, 2026. 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Lunar Eclipse Viewing

Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center

March 3, 2026. 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.

False Cape After Dark

False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot

March 3, 2026. 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Stargazing with the Crewe Astronomy Club

Bear Creek Lake State Park Bear Creek Hall

March 7, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Earth and Sky Adventures

Sweet Run State Park Interpretive Center

March 14, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

March 14, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Stargazing

Holliday Lake State Park Beach Area

March 14, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Staunton River Star Party Spring 2026

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

March 16, 2026 12:00 p.m. - March 22, 2026 12:00 p.m.

False Cape After Dark

False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot

March 19, 2026. 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Equinox Campfire

Hungry Mother State Park Amphitheater

March 20, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Staunton River Star Party Spring 2026 Observation Session

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

March 20, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

March 21, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Welcome Spring Campfire

Hungry Mother State Park Amphitheater

March 21, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Celestial Skies at Sailor's Creek

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center

March 21, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

March 21, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

March 21, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

April 4, 2026. 7:45 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

April 11, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

April 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Lyrids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

April 16, 2026 12:00 a.m. - April 25, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Shooting Stars: Astrophotography under the Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center

April 16, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: Celebrate International Dark Sky Week

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

April 17, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

April 18, 2026. 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

April 18, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

RAC Star Party

Caledon State Park Front Lawn

April 18, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

April 18, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

April 19, 2026 12:00 a.m. - May 28, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Stargazing: Lyrid Meteor Shower

Fairy Stone State Park Upper Beach Parking Area

April 22, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Hungry Mother State Park Hemlock Haven Ball Field

April 22, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

International Astronomy Day Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

April 25, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Crewe Astronomy Club

High Bridge Trail State Park High Bridge

April 25, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

April 25, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

April 28, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

April 30, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

May 2, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

May 9, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

May 10, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

May 16, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

May 16, 2026. 8:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

May 16, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

May 16, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Star Party

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

May 23, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

May 23, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Cosmic Curiosity

Hungry Mother State Park Hemlock Haven Ball Field

May 24, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

May 28, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Cosmic Curiosity

Hungry Mother State Park Hemlock Haven Ball Field

May 31, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

June 6, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

June 6, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

June 13, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

June 13, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

June 13, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

June 14, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

June 20, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

June 20, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

June 26, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

July 4, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

July 11, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

July 11, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

July 11, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

July 11, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

July 12, 2026 12:00 a.m. - Aug. 23, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

July 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Perseids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

July 17, 2026 12:00 a.m. - Aug. 24, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

July 18, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

July 18, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

July 24, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Aug. 1, 2026. 8:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

Aug. 1, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

Aug. 9, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

Aug. 15, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

RAC Star Party

Caledon State Park Front Lawn

Aug. 15, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Aug. 15, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Aug. 15, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Perseids Meteor Shower Watch Party

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

Aug. 15, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

Aug. 15, 2026. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Summer Night Star Lights

Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center

Aug. 22, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

Aug. 25, 2026. 8:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Sept. 5, 2026. 7:45 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

New Moon Astronomy Viewing

James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area

Sept. 5, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

Sept. 12, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Saturday Under the Stars

Powhatan State Park Trailhead/Equestrian Parking Lot

Sept. 12, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Stories of the Stars

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Sept. 12, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

Sept. 12, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

Sept. 13, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Sept. 19, 2026. 7:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Crewe Astronomy Club

High Bridge Trail State Park High Bridge

Sept. 19, 2026. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Moonrise Hike

Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot

Sept. 24, 2026. 7:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Orionids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Oct. 2, 2026 12:00 a.m. - Nov. 7, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Stargazing with the Crewe Astronomy Club

Bear Creek Lake State Park Bear Creek Hall

Oct. 3, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

RAC Star Party

Caledon State Park Front Lawn

Oct. 3, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Touring the Galaxy

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Oct. 3, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Staunton River Star Party Fall 2026

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Oct. 5, 2026 12:00 p.m. - Oct. 11, 2026 12:00 p.m.

Draconids Meteor Shower

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Oct. 6, 2026 12:00 a.m. - Oct. 10, 2026 11:00 p.m.

Staunton River Star Party Fall Observation Session

Staunton River State Park Observation Field

Oct. 9, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Astronomy for Everyone

Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area

Oct. 10, 2026. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Star Party

Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo

Oct. 10, 2026. 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Dark Sky Night: New Moon

Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot

Oct. 10, 2026. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Solar Sunday

Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center

Oct. 11, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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