Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.


Virginia State Parks' International Dark Sky Parks


Virginia State Parks has four parks designated as International Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) - 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 the IDA,  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 photo by Jonathan Piques

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

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

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
Mount Bleak House at Sky Meadows State Park Photo by James Rios

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

location of International Dark Sky Parks

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.


Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo James Rios
Staunton River State Park Dark Sky photo by Steve Andrews
Natural Bridge Dark Sky Photo
James River State Park stars
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo John Kroon
Natural Bridge State Park
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo Brian Cummins
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo Bob Diller
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo John Kroon
Natural Bridge State Park
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo John Sojka
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo John Sojka
Sky Meadows Dark Sky Photo John Sojka
Hungry Mother State Park stars
New River Trail State Park stars
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Dark Sky Events

Information on this page changes occasionally so check back often.

Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
April 19, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Stars & Guitars
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
April 20, 2024. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
April 20, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Pink Moon Hike
Pocahontas State Park Main Office
April 21, 2024. 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
April 23, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
April 28, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Park Tales and Tails, Celebrate Arbor Day
Sweet Run State Park main parking lot, near pollinator garden.
April 28, 2024. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
May 4, 2024. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunset and Night Sky Party with the National Park Service
Machicomoco State Park Interpretive Area: Hillside Steps
May 4, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday Under the Stars
Powhatan State Park Equestrian Parking
May 4, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Stargazing
York River State Park Visitor Center
May 4, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
May 4, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Watch
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
May 4, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
East Coast Star Party - Public Observing Event
Chippokes State Park Historic Area
May 10, 2024. 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Earth and Sky Adventures
Sweet Run State Park Interpretive Center
May 11, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Astronomy For Everyone
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
May 11, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Astronomy Star Party
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
May 11, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Stories of the Stars
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
May 11, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
May 12, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
May 17, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
International Astronomy Day Solar Viewing
Natural Tunnel State Park Picnic Area
May 18, 2024. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
May 18, 2024. 8:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
May 24, 2024. 8:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Start Summer Off Stargazing
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
May 24, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
May 25, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
May 26, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
May 26, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Canoeing with the Stars
York River State Park Visitor Center
May 31, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Stargazing
York River State Park Visitor Center
June 1, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
June 1, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
June 1, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Astronomy For Everyone
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
June 8, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Stories of the Stars
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
June 8, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Stargazing Under a New Moon
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
June 8, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
June 9, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
June 15, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Moonlight Canoe Tour
Bear Creek Lake State Park Beach Area
June 18, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
June 18, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
June 21, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Strawberry Fields Moon Glow
Grayson Highlands State Park Visitor Center
June 21, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
June 22, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
June 23, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
June 30, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Independence Day Weekend Stargazing
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
July 5, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Astronomy For Everyone
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
July 6, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Stargazing
York River State Park Visitor Center
July 6, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
July 6, 2024. 8:45 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Stories of the Stars
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
July 6, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
July 6, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday Under the Stars
Powhatan State Park Equestrian Parking
July 13, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
July 14, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Perseids Meteor Shower Viewing
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
July 17, 2024 12:00 a.m. - Aug. 24, 2024 12:00 a.m.
Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
July 17, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
July 19, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
July 20, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
July 20, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
July 20, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
July 20, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower Watch
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
July 26, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
JRSP Astronomy Program
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
July 27, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
July 28, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dark Side of the Mountain
Grayson Highlands State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 2, 2024. 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Stargazing
York River State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 3, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
Aug. 3, 2024. 8:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Stories of the Stars
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
Aug. 3, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Side of the Mountain
Grayson Highlands State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 3, 2024. 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 4, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Astronomy For Everyone
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
Aug. 10, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Earth and Sky Adventures
Sweet Run State Park Interpretive Center
Aug. 10, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
Aug. 10, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Summer Night Star Lights
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 10, 2024. 8:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
Aug. 10, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
Aug. 10, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party
New River Trail State Park Shelter 1 - Foster Falls Playground and Picnic Area - 116 Orphanage Dr. Max Meadows, Va. 24360
Aug. 11, 2024. 9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
Aug. 16, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Moonlight Canoe Tour
Bear Creek Lake State Park Beach Area
Aug. 16, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
Aug. 16, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
Aug. 17, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
Aug. 17, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
Aug. 18, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
Aug. 18, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Starfield Exploration with Crewe Astronomy Club
High Bridge Trail State Park Camp Paradise - 1466 Camp Paradise Road, Rice, VA 23966
Aug. 24, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
Aug. 30, 2024. 7:45 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Dark Sky Night: Stargazing for Labor Day Weekend
Natural Bridge State Park Skyline Trailhead Parking Lot
Aug. 30, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
Aug. 31, 2024. 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
Sept. 1, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
Sept. 1, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Special Dark Sky Program (Astronomy)
James River State Park Shelter #4/IDA viewing area
Sept. 7, 2024. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Astronomy For Everyone
Sky Meadows State Park Historic Area
Sept. 7, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Earth and Sky Adventures
Sweet Run State Park Interpretive Center
Sept. 7, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Stargazing
York River State Park Visitor Center
Sept. 7, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
Sept. 7, 2024. 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Stories of the Stars
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
Sept. 7, 2024. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Moon Rise Night Hike
Natural Tunnel State Park Blockhouse Parking Lot
Sept. 13, 2024. 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Powell's Creek Sunset Paddle
Leesylvania State Park Bushey Point Canoe/Kayak Launch
Sept. 14, 2024. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Moonlight Canoe Tour
Bear Creek Lake State Park Beach Area
Sept. 14, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Solar Sunday
Natural Tunnel State Park Visitor Center
Sept. 15, 2024. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
Staunton River State Park Observation Field
Sept. 17, 2024 8:00 p.m. - Sept. 18, 2024 1:00 a.m.
False Cape After Dark
False Cape State Park Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Parking Lot
Sept. 21, 2024. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Touring the Galaxy
Natural Tunnel State Park Gazebo
Sept. 21, 2024. 7:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

See more events

Setting up for a Dark Sky event at Sky Meadows State Park

Virginia Outdoors podcast - Stargazing in Virginia's Dark Sky Parks - Click to listen



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