Dark-sky places in Nebraska
Nebraska's certified dark-sky place is Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, in the Sandhills southwest of Valentine. Sky surveys there found an exceptionally dark sky, and the recreation area has campgrounds right on the reservoir.
Certified dark-sky places in Nebraska
| Place | Designation | Managed by | Nearest city |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area | International Dark Sky Park (2022) | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | 104 mi N of North Platte |
Designations by DarkSky International. Check each place's own site for opening hours, fees and night access before you go.
Moon-free weekends for a Nebraska stargazing trip
Friday and Saturday nights when the Moon is down for most of full darkness, worked out for Omaha; dates are the same across the state, give or take a night.
- November 2026: Nov 6–7, Nov 13–14
- December 2026: Dec 4–5, Dec 11–12
- January 2027: Jan 1–2, Jan 8–9, Jan 29–30
- February 2027: Feb 5–6, Feb 27
- March 2027: Mar 5–6, Mar 12
- April 2027: Apr 2–3, Apr 9, Apr 30
- May 2027: May 1, May 7–8, May 28–29
- June 2027: Jun 4–5
- July 2027: Jul 2–3, Jul 9–10, Jul 30–31
- August 2027: Aug 6–7, Aug 27–28
- September 2027: Sep 3–4, Sep 25
- October 2027: Oct 1–2, Oct 29–30
- November 2027: Nov 26–27
- December 2027: Dec 3, Dec 24–25, Dec 31
Stargazing in Nebraska
Nebraska’s dark skies are in the north-central Sandhills, one of the largest areas of grass-covered dunes in the world and one of the emptiest parts of the Great Plains. Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, southwest of Valentine, was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2022. DarkSky International reports that night sky surveys there showed an exceptionally dark environment, and a permanent meter keeps measuring it. It was the first, and is still the only, certified dark-sky place in Nebraska, and for decades it has hosted the annual Nebraska Star Party.
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area is a 729-acre unit around a reservoir completed in 1964 in the Niobrara River basin, inside a larger 9,785-acre block of Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation land. By day, visitors hike, fish, boat, camp, bird-watch and hunt. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission runs night sky education through its wildlife education program, and partners including the Nebraska Star Party planning committee are developing more programs. Nine camping areas line the eastern and southeastern shore, so you can stay out through the darkest hours of a moonless night. The annual Nebraska Star Party, held here for 29 years as of 2022, adds field schools for beginners and observing challenges.
Questions and answers
Why are the Nebraska Sandhills so dark?
The Sandhills are one of the most thinly settled regions of the Great Plains, with wide grass-covered dunes and very few towns producing light.
Can you see the northern lights at Merritt Reservoir?
During strong geomagnetic storms the aurora can reach northern Nebraska. Watch the northern horizon and check our Nebraska northern lights page.
What is the Nebraska Star Party?
An annual gathering of amateur astronomers held at Merritt Reservoir, with beginner and advanced field schools, observing challenges and an astrophotography contest, according to Nebraska Tourism.
Is it worth timing a Nebraska dark-sky trip to a meteor shower?
Yes, if the Moon cooperates. A dark site multiplies the meteors you can see. Check our meteor shower calendar for peak nights and our Moon calendar to make sure moonlight will not spoil the show.
Dark-sky places in other states · Northern lights in Nebraska · Tonight's sky in Nebraska
Sources
- Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, DarkSky International
- Merritt Reservoir Designated as International Dark Sky Place, Nebraska Tourism Commission