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Dark-sky places in Wyoming

Wyoming has three certified dark-sky places. Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander is an International Dark Sky Park open all night, while Teton County and Jackson Hole Airport protect the skies around Jackson and Grand Teton National Park.

Certified dark-sky places in Wyoming

PlaceDesignationManaged byNearest city
Jackson Hole AirportUrban Night Sky Place (2025)Jackson Hole Airport159 mi NW of Rock Springs
Sinks Canyon State ParkInternational Dark Sky Park (2023)Wyoming State Parks82 mi N of Rock Springs
Teton CountyInternational Dark Sky Community (2025)Teton County, Wyoming152 mi NW of Rock Springs

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 Wyoming stargazing trip

Friday and Saturday nights when the Moon is down for most of full darkness, worked out for Cheyenne; 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 Wyoming

Wyoming’s certified dark-sky places are all in the western part of the state. In Teton County, 97% of the land is public, so there is little development and the nights are dark. The county became a Dark Sky Community in 2025, the same year Jackson Hole Airport, inside Grand Teton National Park, became an Urban Night Sky Place. Farther southeast, Sinks Canyon State Park in the Wind River Mountains near Lander became an International Dark Sky Park in 2023. Local advocates hope to create a reserve covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Jackson Hole Airport

Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport inside a US national park, Grand Teton. In 2025 it adopted a dark-sky lighting plan and replaced hundreds of outdoor fixtures with shielded, warm 3000K lights, and lights that must stay on after hours drop to 30% unless motion triggers them. Staff have measured sky quality at ten points on the airport since 2016. Staff also work with Grand Teton National Park and Wyoming Stargazing on night-sky education. It is a working airport, so for stargazing head into Grand Teton or join a local program.

Teton County

Teton County covers Jackson Hole and the Wyoming side of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including the Teton Range and part of Yellowstone. With 97% of its land public, it has little development and dark nights. The town of Jackson and the county are retrofitting lights with a goal of full dark-sky compliance by 2030. Wyoming Stargazing, the Jackson nonprofit that led the certification, runs free public programs and guided stargazing and astrophotography tours year-round, and rangers in Grand Teton and Yellowstone hold night programs. You can also simply drive out into the park and look up.

Sinks Canyon State Park

Sinks Canyon State Park is a 600-acre canyon park about 4.6 miles southwest of Lander, named for the spot where the Popo Agie River vanishes into a limestone cave and reappears a quarter mile downstream. It is famous for rock climbing and has two campgrounds, yurts and trails. The steep canyon walls block outside light. Wyoming State Parks says facilities are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and only registered campers may be in the campgrounds after 10 p.m.; DarkSky says the canyon’s night sky can be enjoyed all night with no access restrictions, so ask the park where to watch after hours. Staff offer night programs such as constellation tours, moth identification and talks on night adaptations.

Questions and answers

Are there guided stargazing tours in Jackson Hole?

Yes. Wyoming Stargazing, a Jackson nonprofit now part of Teton Science Schools, runs guided public and private stargazing and astrophotography tours, plus free community programs.

Can I stay at Sinks Canyon after 10 p.m.?

Wyoming State Parks says facilities are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and after 10 p.m. anyone in a campground must be staying there. DarkSky describes the night sky as accessible all night, so check with the park about after-hours viewing spots.

Can you see the northern lights in Wyoming?

During strong geomagnetic storms, yes, low in the north. Check our Wyoming northern lights forecast.

What should I bring to a dark-sky park in Wyoming?

A red flashlight, warm layers, a chair or blanket and, if you have them, binoculars. Plan the date with our Moon phase calendar, and use our Bortle scale guide to understand how dark your destination is.

Dark-sky places in other states · Northern lights in Wyoming · Tonight's sky in Wyoming

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