Dark Skies
at Badlands
National Park
With 244,000 acres and almost no light pollution, Badlands National Park is one of the best places in the United States to experience the night sky. On any given night, visitors can see more than 7,500 stars—along with galaxies, planets, moons, and star clusters—stretching across an unforgettable horizon.
But this extraordinary view isn’t guaranteed forever. Protecting it takes intention, partnership, and people like you.
ANNUAL
BADLANDS
ASTRONOMY
FESTIVAL
July 17–19, 2026
Free & Family-Friendly
Each summer, the Badlands come alive after dark with the annual Astronomy Festival, a three-day celebration of science, wonder, and community under the stars.
Visitors of all ages and experience levels can:
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Attend public star parties under pristine night skies
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Hear from guest astronomers and space science experts
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Explore hands-on, kid-friendly activities during the day
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Visit solar observation stations and interactive exhibits
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Join evening presentations at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater
From scale-model solar system walks to telescope demonstrations, the festival offers something for everyone, whether you’re seeing the Milky Way for the first time or are a seasoned stargazer.
Schedules vary year to year. Check in at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center when you arrive, or visit the official Badlands Astronomy Festival website to learn more.
DarkSky Park Designation
BNPC is working in partnership with the DarkSky International to designate Badlands National Park as an International DarkSky Park.
This designation will:
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Upgrade park lighting to DarkSky-approved fixtures that reduce glare and blue light
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Improve visitor experiences while protecting wildlife and ecosystems
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Align the park with a global movement to reduce light pollution
Artificial light has transformed modern life—but when used indiscriminately, it disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, wastes energy, and obscures the stars. Today, more than 80% of Americans can no longer see a truly dark night sky where they live.
Badlands offers a rare exception, and an opportunity to lead by example.
DarkSky Park Designation
BNPC is working in partnership with the DarkSky International to designate Badlands National Park as an International DarkSky Park.
This designation will:
-
Upgrade park lighting to DarkSky-approved fixtures that reduce glare and blue light
-
Improve visitor experiences while protecting wildlife and ecosystems
-
Align the park with a global movement to reduce light pollution
Artificial light has transformed modern life—but when used indiscriminately, it disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, wastes energy, and obscures the stars. Today, more than 80% of Americans can no longer see a truly dark night sky where they live.
Badlands offers a rare exception, and an opportunity to lead by example.
Observatory Project
BNPC is planning a state-of-the-art observatory that will position the park as a national leader in astronomy, education, and science-based tourism.
The facility will include:
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A PlaneWave 1-meter telescope—the largest in any U.S. national park
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An ADA-accessible observing system for inclusive stargazing
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A professional-grade dome and remote operation capabilities
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Expanded programming for public education and scientific research
This investment will dramatically expand opportunities for visitors to engage with the night sky, while supporting cutting-edge research and learning.
Protecting the Night Sky
Preserving dark skies in the Badlands requires coordination across geographic, political, and cultural lines. It brings together local communities, tribal nations, scientists, business owners, land stewards, park staff, and visitors.
BNPC plays a vital convening role, creating space for collaboration around a shared goal: ensuring future generations can still look up and see what countless generations before them have seen.
Dark skies are more than a beautiful backdrop. They are essential ecological infrastructure, supporting wildlife behavior, human health, cultural knowledge, and scientific discovery. They also inspire awe, curiosity, and connection to place. Protecting the skies takes all of us.
Community & Economic Impact
Dark skies aren’t just meaningful—they’re impactful. An observatory and enhanced programming will amplify these benefits, creating lasting value for gateway communities while strengthening the park’s role as a destination for discovery.
Research shows that night-sky tourism:
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Generates billions in visitor spending over time
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Supports local jobs and small businesses
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Extends tourism into shoulder seasons
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Attracts new audiences through festivals, events, and media attention
Support the Future of the Night Sky
Visitors, Astronomy Festival attendees, and donors all help protect something rare and irreplaceable. A clear, star-filled sky is one of the few experiences that connects us all across generations, cultures, and time.