The Darkest Skies
in DC
Access the definitive rankings of the top 10 National Park Service Champions and International Dark Sky Parks in DC. Explore our comprehensive directory of 1 DC cities to find the perfect dark sky spot with verified scientific data.
National Park Service Reports
The darkest verified spots in the state. Pro Tip: Dark sky reports reveal their best details through precision optics.
Murphy-Chambers Farm
Harpers Ferry NHP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Murphy-Chambers Farm provide DC residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Sky is cloud free at start of data collection with some low clouds along the horizon appearing later in the evening. Very nice location for night sky viewing, as this site is blocked from all direct glare sources. Milky Way is washed out in the lower sky from skyglow. Charles Town is easily visible to the west, the metro areas of Baltimore and D.C. have a light dome up to 30 degrees. For the most part, this area is surrounded by very bright skyglow along the horizon, though the natural terrain produces shielding that allows for comparatively good viewing."
Military Meadow
Rock Creek Park
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Military Meadow provide DC residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Clear, good transparency after front moved out. Many near-field lights and cars. Andromeda glimpsed with difficulty. SQM 18.36"
Certified Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Association certified locations. Visiting a park? Don't forget a red-light flashlight to preserve the dark.
Rappahannock County Park
The Rappahannock County Park is a 7.3-acre park located centrally in Rappahannock County off Route 211 near the town of Washington, Virginia, mere miles east of…
Official Details →Sky Meadows State Park
Sky Meadows State Park is a 754-hectare site in northern Virginia, U.S., about one hour from the Washington, D.C., metro area. The name ‘Sky Meadows’ comes from…
Official Details →Gearing Up for DC Nights
"Since deep darkness at sites like the local staging areas is less than a 15-minute dash from DC, you can justify using heavier, high-aperture telescopes that would be a hassle to transport long distances."
The DC Field Kit
Designing a field kit for DC requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional suburban benchmarks. With nearby spot sitting at a ~0-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.
Browse Cities
Find detailed scientific reports for 1 unique locations across DC.