Top dark sky places
Dark Sky PlaceFlagstaff
Dark Sky PlaceSedona
Dark Sky PlaceGrand Canyon National Park
Dark Sky PlaceVillage of Oak Creek
Dark Sky PlaceFountain Hills
Dark Sky PlacePetrified Forest National Park
Dark Sky PlaceCamp Verde
Dark Sky PlaceChiricahua National Monument
Dark Sky PlacePipe Spring National Monument
Dark Sky PlaceTonto National Monument
Dark Sky PlaceKartchner Caverns State Park
Dark Sky PlaceTumacácori National Historical Park
Dark Sky Places by county
All dark sky places (16)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | Coconino County | — | Flagstaff | 7 |
| Sedona | Yavapai County | — | West Sedona | 6 |
| Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon | Coconino County | — | Grand Canyon | 1 |
| Village of Oak Creek | Yavapai County | — | Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) | 5 |
| Fountain Hills | Maricopa County | — | Fountain Hills | 7 |
| Petrified Forest National ParkPetrified Forest | Apache County | — | Holbrook | 1 |
| Camp VerdeMontezuma Castle | Yavapai County | — | Camp Verde | 5 |
| Chiricahua National MonumentChiricahua | Cochise County | — | Willcox | 1 |
| Pipe Spring National MonumentPipe Spring | Mohave County | — | Fredonia | 2 |
| Tonto National MonumentTonto | Gila County | — | Tonto Basin | 3 |
| Kartchner Caverns State Park | Cochise County | — | Saint David | 3 |
| Tumacácori National Historical ParkTumacácori | Santa Cruz County | — | Tubac | 3 |
| Grand Canyon–Parashant National MonumentGrand Canyon-Parashant | Mohave County | — | Scenic | 2 |
| Kaibab Band of Paiute IndiansPipe Spring | Mohave County | — | Fredonia | 2 |
| Oracle State Park | Pinal County | — | San Manuel | 4 |
| Flagstaff Area National MonumentsWupatki | Coconino County | — | Flagstaff | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph dark sky places
Certified dark sky places offer protected night skies — plan around the new moon and the Milky Way core season.
- Use the Milky Way table to find months and hours when the core is above the horizon.
- Use red light only and keep it pointed down to protect others' night vision.
- Set focus on a bright star with live-view magnification, then tape the focus ring.
- Use the NPF rule below to choose the longest exposure before stars trail.
- Many parks host star parties and night programs during summer.
Season: Milky Way core season runs roughly March to October; winter offers long nights and bright winter constellations.