Arizona’s Quest to Preserve It’s Beautiful, Dark Skies

One of Arizona's most amazing features is its dark skies. I live just outside the encroaching city lights, and I can see so many stars and planets on a moonless night—right from my backyard!

Arizona's dark skies are precious, and the state has committed to preserving them. One way is through their expanded network of Dark Sky Parks.

Discover the Amazing Biodiversity of Arizona’s Sky Islands

This special feature makes Arizona one of the best places in the country to experience the vast beauty of the night sky without interference from city lights. Arizona has officially designated 22 Dark Sky Places, and visitors come from everywhere to see the world above our heads.

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Arizona's 22 Dark Sky Places

In 2001, Flagstaff was the first city in the world to earn the International Dark Sky Place designation. This Arizona city set the standard for protecting night skies. Here are Arizona's 22 designated Dark Sky Places:

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Kartchner Caverns State Park
• Oracle State Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Chiricahua National Monument
• Pipe Spring National Monument
• Saguaro National Park
• Walnut Canyon National Monument
• Wupatki National Monument
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Tonto National Forest
• Kaibab National Forest
• Coconino National Forest
• Coronado National Forest
• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
• Tumacacori National Park
• Prescott National Forest
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Park
• Flagstaff Area National Monument
• Big Park (Village of Oak Creek)
• Camp Verde

These parks attract visitors who've never had a clear view of the Milky Way, astrophotographers, stargazers, astronomers, and many others who enjoy seeing the night sky.

How Arizona Maintains Dark Skies

Many of Arizona's communities, such as Sedona, Cottonwood, and Fountain Hills, have enacted strict outdoor lighting ordinances to reduce light pollution and keep the night sky pristine for stargazers.

The Hidden and Unexpected History of Kartchner Caverns State Park

The best time to see clear night skies is before the summer monsoon season, when cloud cover can make celestial views difficult to capture.

Sources: Go-Astronomy | VisitArizona | Kartchner Caverns State Park