The Darkest Skies
in New Hampshire
Access the definitive rankings of the top 10 National Park Service Champions and International Dark Sky Parks in New Hampshire. Explore our comprehensive directory of 15 New Hampshire 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.
Park Road
Mont-Megantic National Park
Local Relevance
New Hampshire enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Park Road to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Fine detail in the Milky Way, with several easy deep-sky objects readily visible. The core of the Sherbrooke light dome is blocked by Mont Notre Dame and Mont Megantic creating a dark bowl like effect, excellent for visual observing. The light dome from Quebec city was visible low on the north horizon, parially blocked by trees, but still evident when dark adapted. No light dome was so bright as to interfere with dark adaptation."
Observatory
Mont-Megantic National Park
Local Relevance
For observers in New Hampshire, Observatory serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Clear, calm night with good transparency. A slight haze visible over the low horizon above Sherbrooke, and slight banding to the north."
Province Lands VC
Cape Cod NS
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Province Lands VC provide New Hampshire residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Bad glare from monument lights in town and also from airport and visitor center. Airport lighting is particularly troublesome. 21.30 SQM during first data set. Transparency seems uneven, perhaps some faint cirrus. Seeing is good. Milky way to the west when started, but could barley see faint knot in Auriga at 0245 UT."
Concord Bridge
Minute Man NHP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Concord Bridge provide New Hampshire residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Fog in field lowland, possibly some patchy fog. Bright site"
Certified Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Association certified locations. Visiting a park? Don't forget a red-light flashlight to preserve the dark.
AMC Maine Woods
The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative lands consist of over 400 square kilometers of land in central Maine, U.S. The park is at the edge…
Official Details →Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Within the North Woods of Maine, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument covers an area of approximately 87,500 acres within a larger landscape already…
Official Details →Gearing Up for New Hampshire Nights
"Because New Hampshire contains multiple distinct climate zones, ensure your observation kit includes flexible thermal management and multi-stage dew protection."
The New Hampshire Field Kit
Across the breadth of New Hampshire, the transition from major light domes to protected scientific zones creates a unique challenge for the modern observer.
Browse Cities
Find detailed scientific reports for 15 unique locations across New Hampshire.