* Local Resources
* Local Resources
Lights Out DC Campaign
A campaign from DarkSky DC, City Wildlife, and DC Bird Alliance that asks local residents and businesses to lower their outdoor lighting during bird migration season.
“Lights Out: Recovering our Night Skies“
An exhibit presented online and at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC through December 2025.
Dark Sky Parks Near Washington DC
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![A small observatory building with a domed telescope on a grassy field, surrounded by trees and under a clear blue sky.]()
The Turner Farm
Located 22 miles outside of DC in Great Falls, Virginia, the Turner Farm hosts regular events for amateur astronomers and the general public. Check out their website for more information.
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![Night sky filled with stars above a dark, old house surrounded by trees and a white picket fence.]()
Sky Meadows State Park
About an hour from DC, Sky Meadows State Park offers scenic views, trails, and camping. The park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park and holds monthly astronomy programs.
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![A wooden signboard for Rappahannock County Park and the International Dark Sky Park featuring the IDA logo, situated on a grassy area with trees and a house in the background.]()
Rappahannock County Park
The park offers picnicking, hiking, and outdoor activities. It is a designated International Dark Sky Park and holds regular Dark Sky events. Stargazing on Open Observation Evenings requires a 24-hour advance registration.
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![Night sky filled with stars over a silhouette of trees on the horizon.]()
Shenandoah National Park
About 75 miles from DC, the Shenandoah National Park offers spectacular mountain vistas, hiking trails, and camping. The park holds an annual Night Sky Festival with ranger programs and activities.
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![Sign for IDA James River State Park International Dark Sky Park, located near a wooded area with a dirt pathway.]()
James River State Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park features rolling grasslands, and 3 miles of river shoreline. It is an International Dark Sky Park and overnight guests at its camps, cabins, or lodges can enjoy stargazing.
