Teton County

About

Teton County, Wyoming, lies at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the contiguous United States. Because 97% of the land area is held in public lands, there is relatively little development and thus dark night skies. With the stark mountain peaks of the Teton Range and the majestic hydrothermal features of Yellowstone, this land and the skies above it are truly extraordinary. 

Jackson, the largest incorporated town within Teton County, has a population of just over 10,000 people, but it is visited by millions of ecotourists annually. This area is also home to bison, moose, elk, wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, 60 other mammalian species, over 300 species of birds, 12 species of native fish, 11 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over 1,000 species of plants. The addition of relatively accessible lakes, rivers, trails, climbing crags, ski slopes, and backpacking routes makes Teton County a worldwide destination and a dreamy place to live for day and night outdoor enthusiasts.

Wyoming Stargazing, a nonprofit organization based in Jackson dedicated to inspiring curiosity and learning through Wyoming’s extraordinary night sky and the Universe beyond, has spearheaded the efforts to create this certification effort over the last decade. They offer private and free public stargazing programs year-round to visitors and local residents. Wyoming Stargazing also administers two night sky monitoring stations, one in Jackson at their office and the other in Grand Teton National park (real-time data is available at this link), as well as a local Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Program to assist businesses, homeowners, and rental property managers to make their lights dark sky compliant. 

The Town of Jackson and Teton County have each developed lighting retrofit plans, which they are currently enacting with a goal of having 100% dark sky compliance by 2030. Wyoming Stargazing’s future goals are to incorporate Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the surrounding National Forests into an International Dark Sky Reserve that would cover the approximate boundaries of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Whether they decide to join a stargazing program with Wyoming Stargazing’s Guides, attend a program with Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park Rangers, or just drive out and enjoy the night sky on your own, we encourage visitors to do their part to protect the extraordinary night skies that we all share here in Teton County and to do the same wherever they call home. 

Area

10,920 km

Designated

2025

Category

International Dark Sky Community

Address

220 N King St
Jackson, WY 83001 USA
Google Maps

Contact

Samuel Singer
Executive Director of Wyoming Stargazing
+1 (307) 413-4779
Website

Documents

Announcement
Application
Annual Reports