10 great places to stargaze

As population spreads, we're losing the ability to see the stars, says Bob Parks, executive director of the Tuscon-based International Dark-Sky Association (darksky.org), which certifies recreation areas and communities that have minimized light pollution. Parks will join astronomers and other experts next week in Chile for Noche Zero, a conference about the night skies. He shares with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY locations that have worked to preserve their view of the heavens.

Big Bend National Park
Southwest Texas
Although just recently designated a Dark-Sky Park, this Texas preserve on the Mexican border has long benefited from its isolation. Still, park managers drastically reduced Big Bend's energy consumption and lighting, making it even better for stargazing. "It's probably the darkest park in the United States, the lower 48 at least," Parks says. 432-477-2251; nps.gov/bibe

Cedar Breaks National Monument
Southwest Utah
Parks is working with this Utah park to help it reach dark-sky certification. He visited this summer to suggest ways to cut down on light pollution, including using shielded, amber-colored LED lights, which reduce interference to night vision. The park's elevation of over 10,000 feet also enhances night viewing. "The higher you are, the less atmosphere you have to look through to see the stars," he says. 435-586-0787; nps.gov/cebr

Cherry Springs State Park
Northwest Pennsylvania
This park is one of the darkest spots east of the Mississippi River, Parks says. A local astronomy club hosts star-viewing programs, and helped the state recognize the importance of minimizing light pollution, making it one of the first parks to get dark-sky recognition. "It's close to many, many people, but you wouldn't believe how dark it is," Parks says. 814-435-5010; dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/index.aspx

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
New Zealand
The dark skies have become so popular in this South Island region that the nearby town of Lake Teakapo now has astro-tourism companies offering stargazing outings. The area, which includes Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, was the Southern Hemisphere's first Dark-Sky Reserve, which has more rigorous requirements than other certifications. "It is just breathtaking," Parks says. "There just isn't any civilization for miles. You are in the middle of nature." newzealand.com

NamibRand International Dark Sky Reserve
Namibia
This private African nature preserve incorporates stargazing into its safaris. It changed out its lighting and uses open-air lodging so visitors can see the heavens from their beds. "It's a very isolated place, one of the largest dark-skies reserves in one of the darkest places in the world," Parks says. namibrand.org

Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Emmet County, Mich.
This park on the Straits of Mackinac won dark-sky recognition last year and already offers a full calendar of public astronomy programs. The efforts show that dark skies are a natural resource that can increase tourism, Parks says. "They've done a remarkable job of outreach to people who didn't know it was there." 231-436-4051; emmetcounty.org/darkskypark/

Galloway Forest Park
Scotland
The first Dark-Sky park in Europe saw the number of visitors jump 17% the year after it won its designation. Even better, many sky watchers come in the less busy fall, spring and winter months, which spreads out usage. "It's a very large park and very remote, which is hard to come by in the UK, but still within closes proximity to Edinburgh," Parks says.gallowayforestpark.com

Borrego Springs
Southern California
A designated International Dark-Sky Community, this desert city surrounded by a vast state park has worked diligently to protect its night skies. "The town has done a remarkable job of retrofitting their lighting and protecting the area," Parks says. 760-767-5555; borregospringschamber.com

Glacier National Park
Montana
While not an official Dark-Sky site, this reserve and neighboring Waterton Lakes Park in Canada, are working to keep light pollution to a minimum. Officials are reviewing the types of lighting in use. "The area is pristine and very, very dark," Parks says. 406-888-7800; nps.gov/glac

Acadia National Park
Downeast Maine
This rugged coastal recreation area has long been a favorite New England getaway. In recent years it has worked with the neighboring town of Bar Harbor to preserve the dark skies that would have been visible to Gilded Age vacationers a century ago. Such cooperation is essential, Parks says. "It's much more difficult to protect an area when you're in close proximity to other areas." 207-288-3338; nps.gov/acad