The Darkest Skies
in Michigan
Access the definitive rankings of the top 10 National Park Service Champions and International Dark Sky Parks in Michigan. Explore our comprehensive directory of 180 Michigan cities to find the perfect dark sky spot with verified scientific data.
National Park Service Reports
The darkest verified spots in the state. Pro Tip: Dark sky reports reveal their best details through precision optics.
Little Sand Bay West Jetty
Apostle Islands NS
Local Relevance
For observers in Michigan, Little Sand Bay West Jetty serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Little Sand Bay West Jetty in Apostle Islands NS on 9/18/2012. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 22.06 SQM."
N. Manitou Dock
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at N. Manitou Dock provide Michigan residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Cloud free, but hazy/humidity visible along the horizons. Some stars visible to 85° zenith angle. Transparency good overall/ fair just along the horizon."
Mott Island boat dock
Isle Royale NP
Local Relevance
Michigan enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Mott Island boat dock to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Strong aurora in the north. Transparency is good with stars visible to the horizon. Milk Way easily visible with good detail in dust lanes and star clouds very bright. Visible from south horizon past cassiopeia breaking up in perseus. Mott island dock has 4 ground bollards agains t HQ and maintenance buildings. The maintenenace shop has flourecent tubes and droplights inside that remain on all night and cast bright light out onto the dock and onto the terrain. Glare forms a bright reflective column on the water."
Outer Island Sand Spit
Apostle Islands NS
Local Relevance
Michigan enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Outer Island Sand Spit to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Outer Island Sand Spit in Apostle Islands NS on 9/14/2012. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.59 SQM."
Dune Trail
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Local Relevance
Michigan enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Dune Trail to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Stars visible to 83° zenith angle. Good detail in the Milky Way with good contrast and dust lanes/Great Rift visible. Cygnus dust lane visible."
Grand Sable Dunes
Pictured Rocks NS
Local Relevance
For observers in Michigan, Grand Sable Dunes serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Grand Sable Dunes in Pictured Rocks NS on 9/15/2012. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.48 SQM."
Mott Island Dock
Isle Royale NP
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Mott Island Dock provide Michigan residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Direct Glare from the HQ building, Maintenance shop, and ground bollards. The dock area was illuminanted and bright compared to the surroundings. The sky was cloud free but humidity was very high at 90%. Zodiacal light was strong and easily visible."
Kemil Beach
Indiana Dunes NL
Local Relevance
For observers in Michigan, Kemil Beach serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"The light dome of Michigan City (5 miles to the ENE) was very bright, but the dome from Chicago all the way to south of INDU is by far the greatest source of skyglow. The Milky Way was visible from 15° above the horizon at both ends. Not a lot of detail was visible in the Sagittarius or Cygnus star clouds. M31 was barely visible to the naked eye without using averted vision. Comparitively, for the region, this is not too bad a place to view the night sky. If not for the local glare sources, it would be fairly quick to dark adapt and be able to see many celestial features. Was able to see 6.2 LM in Ursa Major (which was over the lake to the darker north)."
Certified Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Association certified locations. Visiting a park? Don't forget a red-light flashlight to preserve the dark.
Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area
The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary (locally, the “Sanctuary”) is situated on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan…
Official Details →Beverly Shores, Indiana
Beverly Shores is situated on the shoreline of Lake Michigan east of the greater Chicago area. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a park of the National Park…
Official Details →Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness management area located in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in…
Official Details →Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park
Located in the State of Michigan, Dr. T.K. Lawless Park (Lawless Park) is nestled within Cass County, in the Southwest corner of the Lower Peninsula. The park…
Official Details →Fry Family Park
Fry Family Park is located in southern Stark County, approximately 8 miles from Canton, Ohio. This 348-acre property is known for its rural country setting…
Official Details →Geauga Observatory Park
The idea for Observatory Park began with the donation of a 0.64-meter telescope and a small parcel of land. In 2008, the park acquired nationally recognized…
Official Details →Headlands
The Headlands Park in Michigan, USA has more to offer than dazzling views of Orion and the Milky Way. Artificial lighting is rare within the 243-hectare park on…
Official Details →Keweenaw Dark Sky Park
The Keweenaw Dark Sky Park is located at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan, U.S. Surrounded by Lake Superior on three sides, the peninsula is a…
Official Details →Newport State Park
Newport State Park is situated on 960 hectares (2,373 acres) of publicly-owned land at the tip of the Door Peninsula, a geographic feature extending 130…
Official Details →Gearing Up for Michigan Nights
"Because Michigan contains multiple distinct climate zones, ensure your observation kit includes flexible thermal management and multi-stage dew protection."
The Michigan Field Kit
Across the breadth of Michigan, the transition from major light domes to protected scientific zones creates a unique challenge for the modern observer.
Browse Cities
Find detailed scientific reports for 180 unique locations across Michigan.