As any avid stargazer knows, even the slightest hint of light can distort your view of the stars. Living in a city makes it even more difficult, as high-rises, rooftop lounges, and streetlights brighten the night. This excess lighting is known as light pollution. Seeking out locations without light pollution will allow you to see the night sky like you’ve never seen it before.

DarkSky Parks are internationally recognized places where darkness prevails and the night sky thrives. In this post, we’ll highlight six DarkSky Parks around the world that offer optimal stargazing experiences, but first, let’s dive into the issue of light pollution.

As mentioned earlier, light pollution refers to artificial light from streetlights, buildings, stadiums—anything that emits light—which can distort the night sky and dim our view of stars and galaxies. Beyond obscuring the night sky, light pollution can also affect our health by lowering melatonin production, leading to sleep deprivation, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and other health issues linked to poor sleep.

It’s important to expose ourselves to the right type of light at the right time to support our natural circadian rhythms. For example, white or blue-toned light is beneficial during the day, while warmer tones in the evening help promote relaxation and prepare us for a good night’s rest. This is also why people recommend no late-night scrolling on phones or laptops that generate blue light, because it can affect sleep.

Sometimes we can’t control the lights outside our homes, and they inevitably seep in. Investing in blackout curtains or a sleep mask is a great way to block out any light that might shine through your windows at night.

These are helpful ways to block outside light in your home, but when it comes to stargazing, we need to take greater measures to fully experience the night sky in all its glory.

DarkSky International is a non-profit organization that “restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation.” There are currently 230 certified International Dark Sky Places across 22 countries on six continents. The list of DarkSky Parks, Communities, Reserves, Sanctuaries, and other certified locations is thoroughly reviewed to ensure they uphold DarkSky standards. This includes implementing proper outdoor lighting and actively offering programs and outreach on light pollution. These certifications are taken seriously, and failure to meet the required standards can result in revocation. Any location on their list guarantees a stunning stargazing experience.

1. Warrumbungle National Park - New South Wales, Australia

Australia’s first DarkSky Park is home to the Milroy Observatory, where 90-minute stargazing sessions are held every night of the week. From hiking to camping, there’s plenty to experience both day and night. The name ‘Warrumbungle’ comes from the Gamilaroi language and means “crooked mountains,” a nod to the jagged terrain shaped over time by an extinct shield volcano—making it a truly unique landscape to explore.

2. Arches National Park - Utah, United States

Home to over 2,000 natural arches made of Entrada Stone, a red-orange colored rock formed by wind-blown sand from the Jurassic period. At this park, you are walking on the result of over a million years of erosion. The best stargazing sites are Balanced Rock Picnic Area, The Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panaomar Point.

3. Øvre Pasvik National Park - Pasvikdalen Valley, Norway

Norway’s first certified DarkSky Park sits at a latitude of 69 degrees, offering a two-month period when the sun does not rise above the horizon, allowing you to experience the night sky 24/7. It’s also the perfect place to experience the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis from late August to April. Due to its high latitude, the area experiences minimal air traffic, allowing for a truly dark sky experience.

4. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park - Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is the southernmost national park in Japan and home to the country's only tropical rainforest. Uniquely, it shelters the endangered Iriomote cat, a species discovered just 50 years ago. Alongside incredible stargazing opportunities, you might even spot this rare feline in its natural habitat. During the day swim through the crystal clear waters, boat around the island and when day fades join a stargazing tour for the ultimate island experience.

5. Winklmoosalm - Bavaria, Germany

Located in the Chiemgauer Alps within the Bavarian Alps of Germany, Winklmoosalm offers elevated stargazing points with breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views of the night sky. Stargazing here only began about ten years ago, but the site now hosts weekly astronomy events led by trained staff. At peak visibility, you can see up to 5,000 stars—compared to just 500 in the city of Munich. Beyond the stars, Winklmoosalm boasts scenic hiking trails and snowy slopes in winter, making it a year-round destination full of adventure.

6. Parque Estadual do Desengano - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Parque Estadual do Desengano, located in Rio de Janeiro, is Latin America’s first certified Dark Sky Park, ushering in a new wave of astro-tourism. Covering over 22,000 hectares of Atlantic Forest, the park is home to more than 1,000 plant species and hundreds of animal species, including endangered ones like the northern muriqui monkey.

Its DarkSky certification by the International Dark-Sky Association not only reduces light pollution but also enhances nocturnal biodiversity and ecosystem health. Visitors can now experience stargazing events, guided night hikes, and astrophotography in one of Brazil’s most pristine environments.

Whether you’re planning your next trip or seeking out the best locaal spot for a meteor shower, these iconic stargazing spots are a must-see. From the United States to the islands of Japan, when nightfall comes the sightseeing doesn't have to end.

Keep your headlamp on red mode while trekking to your stargazing spot to maintain your night vision.