Dark Sky Places in NC

List of darkest places in North Carolina for stargazing, astrophotography, astrotourism, star parties, and astronomy club events. Often these are national and state parks and forests that are either remote or "protected" against light pollution.

National and state parks often let you stay overnight under the stars, hence their motto - "Half the park is after dark".

Bortle scale for sites is given where known. Also ask your local astronomy club for guidance as they will know the darkest places.

NAME BORTLE
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Cherokee National Forest
Croatan National Forest
Graveyard Fields
Hominy Valley
Linville Gorge
Mayland Earth to Sky State Park 2
Nantahala National Forest 3
New River 3
Oak Island
Ocracoke Campground 2
Pettigrew 3
Pisgah State Park 2
Uwharrie National Forest


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of NC showing light pollution from the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. On the right is a 2015 light pollution map showing sky brightness at the zenith from World Atlas data. Colors correspond approximately to the Bortle scale. Use as a guide to find the darkest sky locations near you.

NC night sky light pollution map