Dark Sky Places in WY

List of darkest places in Wyoming 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
Ashley National Forest
Bighorn National Forest 2
Bighorn National Forest
Black Hills National Forest
Boysen State Park 2
Bridger-Teton National Forest 2
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Grand Teton National Park
Medicine Bow National Forest 1
Medicine Bow?Routt National Forest
Medicine Lodge
Seminoe State Park 2
Shoshone National Forest
Sinks Canyon Sinks Canyon State Park
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Wind River
Yellowstone National Park 1


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of WY 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.

WY night sky light pollution map