![Works change a street light in the dark sky community of Prestegne, Wales.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2024/01/8-Lighting-Tests-1440x700.jpg)
13 Stunning Starry Night Photos
![Exmoor National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve in England. Credit: Exmoor National Park.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/4-exmoor3-c-exmoor-national-park-copy.jpg)
IDA established the International Dark Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to recognize excellent stewardship of the night sky. Designations are based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach. Enjoy exploring these stunning photos taken from our Dark Sky Places.
1. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), aspiring International Dark Sky Park
![The Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, an International Dark Sky Park in Arizona. Credit: Bureau of Land Management via Flickr (CC).](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Grand_Canyon_GCNP_CC-copy.jpg)
2. The AURA Observatory (Chile), World’s First International Dark Skies Sanctuary
![The AURA Observatory in Chile, the world’s first International Dark Skies Sanctuary](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Aura.jpg)
3. Canyonlands National Park (Utah), International Dark Sky Park
![Canyonlands National Park, an International Dark Sky Park in Utah](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Canyonlands_Ogden-copy.jpg)
4. San Francisco Peaks Taken From Flagstaff (Arizona), International Dark Sky Community
![The Moon and Venus setting over the San Francisco Peaks, taken from Flagstaff, Arizona, an International Dark Sky Community.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Flagstaff_Kyle_A-copy.jpg)
5. Big Bend National Park (Texas), International Dark Sky Park
![Credit: Vincent Lock via Flickr (CC).](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Big_Bend_Vincent_Lock-copy.jpg)
6. NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia), International Dark Sky Reserve
![NamibRand Nature Reserve, an International Dark Sky Reserve in Namibia](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/NamibRand_Flavia-copy.jpg)
7. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (California), aspiring International Dark Sky Park
![Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, an aspiring International Dark Sky Park in Southern California.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Anza_Borrego_John_Loo_CC-copy.jpg)
8. Mont-Mégantic (Québec), International Dark Sky Reserve
![Mont-Mégantic, an International Dark Sky Reserve in Québec, Canada](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Mont_Megantic_Remi_Boucher_72dpi.png)
9. Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania), International Dark Sky Park
![Cherry Springs State Park, an International Dark Sky Park in Pennsylvania.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Cherry_Spring_Jon_Wood_CC-copy.jpg)
10. Pic du Midi (France), International Dark Sky Reserve
![Pic du Midi, an International Dark Sky Reserve in France.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Pic_du_Midi_Orion_Nicolas_Bourgeois_72dpi.png)
11. Newport State Park (Wisconsin), aspiring International Dark Sky Park
![Dark sky programming at Newport State Park (WI), an aspiring Dark Sky Park. Photo by Denny Moutray.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/10/NewportSP_gathering_Denny-Moutray-copy.jpg)
12. Northumberland National Park (England), International Dark Sky Park
![Northumberland National Park (England), International Dark Sky Park](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Northumberland_Cawfields_crop.jpg)
13. The Headlands (Michigan), International Dark Sky Park
![The Headlands (Michigan), International Dark Sky Park in Northern.](https://darksky.org/app/uploads/2015/11/Headlands-beach.jpg)
You Can Help Save the Night
We can’t protect the night skies without you! If you enjoy starry night skies and want them preserved, consider becoming part of our family by supporting or joining IDA!