The Darkest Skies
in Rhode Island
Access the definitive rankings of the top 10 National Park Service Champions and International Dark Sky Parks in Rhode Island. Explore our comprehensive directory of 13 Rhode Island 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.
Province Lands VC
Cape Cod NS
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Province Lands VC provide Rhode Island residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Province Lands VC in Cape Cod NS on 11/14/2004. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 20.67 SQM."
Concord Bridge
Minute Man NHP
Local Relevance
For observers in Rhode Island, Concord Bridge serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Fog in field lowland, possibly some patchy fog. Bright site"
Certified Dark Sky Parks
International Dark Sky Association certified locations. Visiting a park? Don't forget a red-light flashlight to preserve the dark.
AMC Maine Woods
The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Maine Woods Initiative lands consist of over 400 square kilometers of land in central Maine, U.S. The park is at the edge…
Official Details →Cherry Springs State Park
Due to its exceptionally dark skies, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places in the eastern U.S. for stargazing. Situated at 700 m above sea level…
Official Details →Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Within the North Woods of Maine, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument covers an area of approximately 87,500 acres within a larger landscape already…
Official Details →Gearing Up for Rhode Island Nights
"Staging for Rhode Island nights requires a versatile kit that can handle anything from high-altitude thinning air to the humid coastal gradients found across the state."
The Rhode Island Field Kit
Across the breadth of Rhode Island, 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 13 unique locations across Rhode Island.