Idaho Has A New Dark Sky Park And It's The Perfect Place To Visit This Summer
By Courtnie Erickson|Published July 12, 2023
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
City of Rocks National Reserve is one of my favorite bucket-list-worthy destinations in Idaho. No matter the time of year, exploring this area of the state is the ultimate adventure. But, now there is a new reason to visit. City of Rocks National Reserve is the newest International Dark Sky Park in Idaho and it is the perfect place to visit this summer.
City of Rocks National Reserve is near the small town of Almo in southwestern Idaho. Also known as the “Silent City of Rocks,” this destination is home to the most incredible rock formations and stunning Idaho beauty.
Rock climbers from around the world come to climb these impressive rock formations and there are many hiking trails and a campground for days filled with adventure.
But it isn’t just the days that are full of wonder at this Idaho destination. At night, you can watch the most incredible star show. City of Rocks National Reserve is the newest dark sky park in Idaho and received its certification as an International Dark Sky Park in early 2023.
One feature that makes the City of Rocks National Reserve exceptional is that it does not have any artificial lighting within its boundaries. This means there is minimal light pollution.
Additionally, City of Rocks is working with Castle Rocks State Park to improve outdoor lighting and to reduce light pollution as well.
If you truly wish to experience the night sky at its best this summer, camping at City of Rocks National Reserve must be on your bucket list. With no artificial light anywhere in the reserve, you can experience the night skies just as the people who called this area home did centuries ago.
City of Rocks National Reserve is one of only a few dark sky parks in Idaho. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve became an International Dark Sky Park in 2017 and the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses 1,400 miles in the Gem State and is considered one of the largest dark sky reserves in the entire world.
For adventure, beauty, and star shows, the City of Rocks National Reserve is one destination you must visit — it’s the perfect place to spend a summer.
For more information about the City of Rocks National Reserve, visit the National Park Service website.
Have you spent time at City of Rocks? What are some of your favorite things to do here? Did you know the City of Rocks is now an International Dark Sky Park? Let us know in the comments! Just make sure before you head outdoors that you have the proper gear. Check out all of the hiking and outdoor equipment at REI.
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