//=b[e].o&&a.height>=b[e].m)&&(b[e]={rw:a.width,rh:a.height,ow:a.naturalWidth,oh:a.naturalHeight})}return b}var C="";u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.getBeaconData",function(){return C});u("pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run",function(b,c,a,d,e,f){var r=new y(b,c,a,e,f);x=r;d&&w(function(){window.setTimeout(function(){A(r)},0)})});})();pagespeed.CriticalImages.Run('/mod_pagespeed_beacon','https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/joshuatree/','8Xxa2XQLv9',true,false,'dtcVGlgOFJI'); When you think of scenic drives through national parks you may not think of Texas, but there’s a national park with amazing dark sky views nestled in the Lone Star State along the Rio Grande River. and continue to follow CA-127 N for 83.6 miles. especially when it's at a dark sky place. The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy. Located on the eastern side of San Diego County, with portions extending east into Imperial County and north into Riverside County, Anza-Borrego is the largest state park in California. ");b!=Array.prototype&&b!=Object.prototype&&(b[c]=a.value)},h="undefined"!=typeof window&&window===this?this:"undefined"!=typeof global&&null!=global?global:this,k=["String","prototype","repeat"],l=0;lb||1342177279>>=1)c+=c;return a};q!=p&&null!=q&&g(h,n,{configurable:!0,writable:!0,value:q});var t=this;function u(b,c){var a=b.split(". Borrego Desert State Park (Anza-Borrego) as an International Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). After hiking all day through Island in the Sky part of the park, go on a ranger-lead program with visitors from Arches National Park and Dead Horse State Park for an introduction in stargazing and telescope viewing. National parks are some of the best places in the world to appreciate dark night skies because the National Park Service works to protect these places from the increasingly prevalent effects of light pollution. Borrego Springs is one of eight international Dark Sky Communities, yet it is the first and only in California! !b.a.length)for(a+="&ci="+encodeURIComponent(b.a[0]),d=1;d=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e)}b.i&&(e="&rd="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify(B())),131072>=a.length+e.length&&(a+=e),c=!0);C=a;if(c){d=b.h;b=b.j;var f;if(window.XMLHttpRequest)f=new XMLHttpRequest;else if(window.ActiveXObject)try{f=new ActiveXObject("Msxml2.XMLHTTP")}catch(r){try{f=new ActiveXObject("Microsoft.XMLHTTP")}catch(D){}}f&&(f.open("POST",d+(-1==d.indexOf("?")?"? Folsom, CA. Photo © Michael Ver Sprill/iStockphoto. 5. Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information: with down-to-the-minute forecasts for your exact location, you'll never get caught in the rain again. Find locations suitable for stargazing, a light pollution map, accessibility by car, space to park, travel time & distance, weather conditions and lunar phase. Astronomy clubs often use dark sky sites as their preferred viewing locations if nearby. Turn left at CA-190 W and continue for 30.8 miles. While the western half of the Park is significant impacted by light from Palm Springs and, to a lesser extent, the cities of the nearby Morongo Basin, visitors who make the trek to the Park’s eastern wilderness area are rewarded with some of the darkest night skies left in the region. With respect to dark skies, the Park is in a virtually unique setting sandwiched between the “Inland Empire” metropolitan area of some 4 million inhabitants near its western edge, and the last pool of natural darkness remaining in Southern California in its eastern extremity. 2. Less than a one-hour drive from Greater Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park will be designated an International Dark Sky Park … Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Recognized as an International Dark-Sky Park SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks proudly announces the designation of Anza- Borrego Desert State Park (Anza-Borrego) as an International Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The park is named after Juan Bautista de Anza, the Spanish explorer. While the western half of the Park is significant impacted by light from Palm Springs and, to a lesser extent, the cities of the nearby Morongo Basin, visitors who make the trek to the Park’s eastern wilderness area are rewarded with some of the darkest night skies left in the region. Glacier National Park (International Dark Sky Park) Glacier National Park in Montana is one … Named after the thousands of cherry trees you’ll walk through in the Susquehannock State forest, this park is one of the best places to view the night sky east of the Mississippi River. ":"&")+"url="+encodeURIComponent(b)),f.setRequestHeader("Content-Type","application/x-www-form-urlencoded"),f.send(a))}}}function B(){var b={},c;c=document.getElementsByTagName("IMG");if(!c.length)return{};var a=c[0];if(! Also see all Dark Sky Sites. The International Dark-Sky Association has certified 43 places in the U.S. (from Pennsylvania to California) with a “dark sky” rating. Sequoia National Park, high in the mountains and far from the city lights, is one of the darkest places in the United States. 2. Dark Sky Map. . With the rise of an astrotourism base, the Park has taken an increasingly active role in preserving what darkness remains. Lighting Plan Amateur astronomers will enjoy a natural light-barrier in the north and eastern sides of the park that block out Las Vegas and other cities along the Colorado river. Just a short drive from Palm Springs, in the high desert of California, is Joshua Tree National Park. In order to be awarded this prestigious certification, a state park, natural area, national monument or national park has to be protected for natural conservation and have an exceptional nocturnal environment — perfect for starry nights! Cantil, CA, www.parks.ca.gov. 1. SkyPark at Santa's Village is a Lake Arrowhead area adventure park and tourist attraction. //]]>, The night sky over an entrance gate at Joshua Tree National Park in California, U.S. Photo by Lian Law (National Park Service), Application Its own house is in good order, the result of a lack of utility-provided electricity within the Park boundaries to power outdoor lighting and a reliance on solar photovoltaic systems. There's nothing like a night of stargazing. Phone: (760) 786-3200 (National Park Service Death Valley) Directions: From Barstow, head east on I-15 N for 62.6 miles. Bridgeport, Mono County. During the day, park-goers are faced with views of a steep-walled black canyon, stretching out for miles and miles, but at night, the views are up in the sky! 1. Photo by Dan Duriscoe. 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