State Research Hub

The Darkest Skies
in Louisiana

We've analyzed scientific data across 106 locations in Louisiana to find the ultimate destinations for deep-space observation.

National Park Service Champions

Scientific Rankings
1

Buckhorn Parking Lot

Chickasaw NRA

20.86 SQM
Bortle Class 4

"Sky looks hazy during the day. At night, sky right above the horizon looks bright in all direction. Light pollution extends to about 60 degrees above the horizon. Milky Way was still impressive right overhead but becomes invisible at about 20 degrees from the horizon."

Observation Date
7/26/2019
Elevation
280m
Zenith Brightness
21.29
2

Lance Rosier Unit

Big Thicket N PRES

20.53 SQM
Bortle Class 5

"Lots of trees blocking the horizon. Clear sky. There is an oil and gas field at the end of the road. Sky looks brightest towards WSW. The light dome extends all the way to zenith. Milky Way looks faint overhead."

Observation Date
10/27/2019
Elevation
27m
Zenith Brightness
20.86
3

Horn Island

Gulf Islands NS

20.45 SQM
Bortle Class 5

"On Horn Island a half mile east of the ranger station. Mid island with a break in the high dunes to the north and some low dunes to the south just blocking the direct glare from the ships in the gulf. Very clear night with 1% cloud cover. Some low smoke to the north over the shipping yard. Some low clouds and haze to the southwest. Air is steady and seeing is good. Milky Way is easily seen at the end of astronimical twilight with Scutum and Sagittarius star clouds visible. Dust lanes ad some detail evident to the south up to Cygnus overhead. Most apparent light dome is the ship yard to the north in Pascagoula. 50 degrees across and 40 degrees wide. East is dark wuth some haze along the horizon. To the south, 6 large ships are off shore with lights on. To the west there is another lighdome easily visible, but not as intense as the ship yard."

Observation Date
10/22/2014
Elevation
-4m
Zenith Brightness
20.71

Certified Dark Sky Parks

IDA Registered

Bee Cave

International Dark Sky Community

The community of Bee Cave, Texas, requires developments to comply with the 5 Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.

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Buffalo National River

International Dark Sky Park

The Buffalo National River is a free-flowing stream passing through towering picturesque bluffs, forests, and fields in North Central Arkansas in the Ozark…

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Jonestown, Texas

International Dark Sky Community

The City of Jonestown, Texas, known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country,” is located on the shores of Lake Travis, 25 miles northwest of Austin in Travis County.

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Lakewood Village, Texas

International Dark Sky Community

On April 26, 1977, Lakewood Village was officially incorporated as The Town of Lakewood Village, Texas. Located in the northern part of the Dallas/Ft.

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Liberty Hill, Texas

International Dark Sky Community

Known for its limestone hills, oak woodlands, and wide-open skies, Liberty Hill has long cherished its rural roots and starlit nights.

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Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area

Dark Sky Park

Pickett-Pogue International Dark Sky Park is composed of 1,618 hectares of land jointly managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and…

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Shield Ranch Barton Creek

Urban Night Sky Place

Shield Ranch Barton Creek is located 18 miles west of downtown Austin, Texas, USA, nestled in the Hill Country of Central Texas. It is a 6,400…

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Stephen C. Foster State Park

Dark Sky Park

Stephen C. Foster State Park is a small (32-hectare; 80-acre) property in the vast 1,627 km2 (402,000-acre) expanse of the surrounding Okefenokee National…

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Observer's Log

Browse Cities in Louisiana

Need hyper-local data? We have detailed scientific reports for 106 unique locations across the state.

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Cut Off Guide →
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DeRidder Guide →
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Donaldsonville Guide →
Eden Isle Guide →
Elmwood Guide →
Estelle Guide →
Eunice Guide →
Fort Polk South Guide →
Franklin Guide →
Galliano Guide →
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Grambling Guide →
Gray Guide →
Gretna Guide →
Hammond Guide →
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Houma Guide →
Inniswold Guide →
Jefferson Guide →
Jennings Guide →
Kenner Guide →
Lacombe Guide →
Lafayette Guide →
Lake Charles Guide →
Laplace Guide →
Larose Guide →
Leesville Guide →
Luling Guide →
Mandeville Guide →
Marrero Guide →
Meraux Guide →
Merrydale Guide →
Metairie Guide →
Minden Guide →
Monroe Guide →
Morgan City Guide →
Moss Bluff Guide →
Natchitoches Guide →
New Iberia Guide →
New Orleans Guide →
Oak Hills Place Guide →
Oakdale Guide →
Old Jefferson Guide →
Opelousas Guide →
Patterson Guide →
Pineville Guide →
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Prien Guide →
Raceland Guide →
Rayne Guide →
Red Chute Guide →
Reserve Guide →
River Ridge Guide →
Ruston Guide →
Schriever Guide →
Scott Guide →
Shenandoah Guide →
Shreveport Guide →
Slidell Guide →
St. Gabriel Guide →
St. Martinville Guide →
St. Rose Guide →
Sulphur Guide →
Tallulah Guide →
Terrytown Guide →
Thibodaux Guide →
Timberlane Guide →
Village St. George Guide →
Ville Platte Guide →
Waggaman Guide →
Walker Guide →
West Monroe Guide →
Westwego Guide →
Woodmere Guide →
Youngsville Guide →
Zachary Guide →