Dark-sky places in Illinois

Stargazing in Illinois

Illinois’s certified places fall into two groups. Out in east-central Illinois, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve near Penfield became the state’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2018, a dark refuge despite skyglow from Champaign-Urbana and Rantoul. The other three are in the Chicago region: the Palos Preserves, an Urban Night Sky Place in southwest Cook County, and the Dark Sky Communities of Homer Glen and Hawthorn Woods, both certified for their outdoor lighting ordinances. These offer closer-to-home stargazing rather than pristine skies.

Palos Preserves

The Palos Preserves are a 6,662-acre block of Forest Preserves of Cook County land, about 15 miles from downtown Chicago. DarkSky International notes that the Forest Preserves have some of the best night skies in northeastern Illinois, with readings about 1.5 magnitudes darker than inside the city. That is still a suburban sky, but on clear nights it shows far more stars than Chicago does. The Forest Preserves use the area as a local classroom for the night, working with partners such as the Adler Planetarium and Audubon on programs about the night sky and nocturnal wildlife. Check the Forest Preserves events calendar for dates.

Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

Hawthorn Woods is a village of about 8,000 people in Lake County, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago, known for its open spaces and parks. It became the second Dark Sky Community in Illinois after adopting a municipal lighting ordinance in September 2019 that aims to cut light pollution, save energy and protect wildlife. At certification the village announced plans for stargazing classes, night photography and movies under the stars, and it hopes its ordinance becomes a model for other Lake County towns. Visitors should expect a suburban-edge sky; the village’s park events are the best way to look up with company.

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve

Middle Fork River Forest Preserve is the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s largest site, about 1,700 acres along the Middle Fork River, Illinois’ first federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Upland oak forest, restored prairie and river-bottom woods are crossed by more than 7 miles of trails. The Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society has offered “Starwatch” stargazing programs here with the district since 2007, and the district replaced its outdoor lighting with dark-sky-friendly fixtures in 2016-17. All of the preserve’s night programs now include the value of darkness. Check the district’s calendar for Starwatch dates.

Homer Glen, Illinois

Homer Glen is a village of about 25,000 people some 30 miles southwest of Chicago, founded in 2001 with the motto “Community and Nature in Harmony.” The village calls itself the first Dark Sky Community in Illinois and the first east of the Mississippi River. Its lighting ordinance has influenced neighboring towns. Twice a year, in spring and fall, the village hosts free stargazing nights at Heritage Park behind Village Hall, where volunteers from the Kankakee Area StarGazers, Naperville Astronomical Association and South West Astronomy Observers Group set up telescopes for the public.