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Moore's Reserve (England) -

Incredibly, South Downs National Park on the English coast is only 60 miles (100 km) from the greater London area. Plus, it has 108,000 residents and a highly urbanized center of its own! This against-all-odds dark sky reserve was named after local astronomer Sir Patrick Moore (1923-2012), to honor his contributions to the field.

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Aoraki Mackenzie (New Zealand) -

The protection of the dark sky in this New Zealand park was also an effort to conserve energy and protect the wildlife and heritage of the land. The indigenous residents of the region, Māori people, have long used the night sky for navigation and share a wealth of astronomy and cosmic lore that is of great cultural importance, so keeping it unpolluted is especially important.

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Mont-Mégantic (Canada) -

Located near the city of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Mont-Mégantic achieved its dark sky status because the 34 municipalities in the region agreed to outdoor lighting regulations to control the spread of light pollution.

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Alpes Azur Mercantour (France) -

This is an astronomer-favorite location not only because one of the first mountain observatories was established here at the end of the 19th century, but also because the region offers a gentle climate and beautiful mountain views close to the coast.

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Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales) -

The community of roughly 33,000 residents in this Wales region has worked hard to ensure 100% of their lighting is conducive to preserving the dark sky. Fortunately, it's so isolated that the IDA reports sheep outnumber people 30 to 1!

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Central Idaho (USA) -

If you truly want to experience the dark sky as our ancestors did, Stanley Lake in central Idaho is a rare place in the US lacking both in electricity and in mobile phone service, thanks to its rugged terrain. In the day time, it also offers a ton of recreation, so you won't miss your internet connection.

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NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia) -

One of the largest private nature reserves on the African continent, the NamibRand Nature Reserve simultaneously shelters local ecology and wildlife while protecting the night skies. According to the IDA, visitors will commonly sleep in "open air" units to see the sky overhead.

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River Murray (Australia) -

The River Murray reserve in Victoria was actually first put into place to protect the endangered hairy-nosed wombat. Astronomy was later added into the area's mandate, which restricts development in the park to protect the stunning night views.

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Westhavelland (Germany) -

Though it's under an hour's drive from Berlin, Westhavelland earns its dark sky reserve status due to its sparse population, vast wetland, and clear night skies. Astrotourism here is prioritized with various programs on offer, including an annual WestHavelländer AstroTreff star party.

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Kerry (Ireland) -

Kerry has long been a beloved stargazing spot, as Neolithic inhabitants of the region built stone monuments nearly 6,000 years ago to keep track of the sun, moon, and stars. According to the IDA, some of the Ogham-language inscriptions in the region might also describe celestial observations.

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Kozushima Island (Japan) -

This a remote island located about 110 miles (180 km) off the Tokyo metropolitan area is popular among stargazing tourists and for good reason. They replaced more than 400 street and road lights with dark sky friendly fixtures and totally changed the night scene in the village while still allowing residents their due visibility.

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Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms (Scotland) -

This International Dark Sky Park doesn't just offer beautiful skies, but it's also home to Britain’s only herd of reindeer.

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Lauwersmeer National Park (Netherlands) -

This dark oasis at the edge of one of the world’s most light-polluted countries exists because it was formerly underwater until May 1969. The site was intended to be preserved in its primitive, marshy state, so not much artificial light exists. 

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Møn and Nyord (Denmark) -

Møn and Nyord are two islands in southeastern Denmark that offer visitors a more relaxed pace of life filled with countryside, small markets, and Baltic Sea beaches. The dark sky protection is the cherry on top!

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Hehuan Mountain (Taiwan) -

Also called Joint-Joy Mountain, this stunning peak is situated at the west of Taroko National Park and far and high enough away from the surrounding urban glow to make it perfect for stargazing all year round.

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Davagh Forest Park and Beaghmore Stone Circles (Northern Ireland) -

The first International Dark Sky Place accredited in Northern Ireland, Davagh Forest holds at the center of its rural landscape of rolling hills and forests the Beaghmore Stone Circles, early Bronze Age megalithic features, stone circles, and cairns. They still pale in comparison to the stunning night sky!

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Alqueva (Portugal) -

Though not certified by the IDA, Alqueva is the first site in the world to be certified by the Starlight Foundation as a “Starlight Tourism Destination." The region is dotted with small picturesque villages, has a rich astronomical history marked in megalithic remains, and boasts excellent atmospheric conditions for clear stargazing most of the year.

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Cranborne Chase (England) -

Cranborne Chase in Dorset earned its dark sky reserve designation in recent years, and it's certainly a peaceful place to stargaze, as the interesting landscape perfectly complements the night sky.

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Cévennes National Park (France) -

Cévennes is one of the few places in France with a beautiful dark sky above it, largely thanks to terrain. In the day time, you can go swimming, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and spelunking.

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Rhön (Germany) -

The Rhön Mountains, often called the "land of endless horizons," is sandwiched between the populous states of Hesse, Bavaria, and Thuringia, but its core zone is protected by a mutual agreement among those surrounding regions to ensure their outdoor lighting doesn't interfere.

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Snowdonia National Park (Wales) -

This huge mountainous region hasn’t been a popular site to settle for humans in the past, which makes it the perfect place for modern humans to experience the dark sky in all its glory.

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Exmoor National Park (England) -

If you're not too keen to stray far from an urban center, Exmoor National Park in Devon is a great option, as it offers both exceptional skies and accessibility.

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Quetico Provincial Park (Canada) -

Straddling the Ontario-Minnesota border, this park boasts dark skies thanks in part to over 2,900 lakes, which make up 21% of the park’s surface area. The park will reportedly be working with Lac La Croix First Nation to develop a cultural night sky program that interprets Anishinaabe culture and the night sky.

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Zion National Park (USA) -

This park is famous worldwide for being a geographic wonderland of cliffs and canyons, and it's beloved among hikers, horse riders, rock climbers, nature lovers, and, of course, astronomers for its stunning protected dark skies. 

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Pic du Midi (France) -

Located in the French Pyrenees, the Pic du Midi attracts over a million visitors each year largely due to its dark-sky designation. The mountainous reserve also encompasses a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a French national park.

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North York Moors National Park (England) -

This park offers some of the darkest skies in the country, and it's also a beautiful daytime spot with a wealth of diversity and dramatic landscapes. Many have reportedly seeing the Northern Lights here!

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Winklmoosalm (Germany) -

This privately held 79-hectare site in the Chiemgauer Alps of extreme southeastern Bavaria can thank its location and geographic setting for its stunning dark skies despite the relatively short distance to Salzburg, Austria.

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Warrumbungle National Park (Australia) -

Located in the Orana region of New South Wales, this mountainous park has long been celebrated for its dark night skies. The Australian government even chose to relocate their observatory from the light-polluted capital of Canberra to Siding Spring in the park. It's now home to the four-meter (13-foot) Anglo-Australian Telescope, the largest in Australia.

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Yorkshire Dales National Park (England) -

Beyond its natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, Yorkshire Dales also boasts incredible open vistas of the night sky thanks to large, easily accessible areas that are completely free from local light pollution.

Sources: (IDA) (Space) (Dark Sky Alqueva)

See also: Probing deep space—Journeys into darkness

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