Dark Sky Places in ID

List of darkest places in Idaho for stargazing, astrophotography, astrotourism, star parties, and astronomy club events. Often these are national and state parks and forests that are either remote or "protected" against light pollution.

National and state parks often let you stay overnight under the stars, hence their motto - "Half the park is after dark".

Bortle scale for sites is given where known. Also ask your local astronomy club for guidance as they will know the darkest places.

NAME BORTLE
Bear Lake State Park 2
Boise National Forest
Bruneau Dunes State Park
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Castle Rocks State Park 2
Central Idaho Dark Sky National Reserve 2
City of Rocks National Reserve 2
Clearwater National Forest
Craters Of The Moon National Monument 2
Harriman State Park 2
Henrys Lake State Park 2
Idaho Panhandles National Forest
Nez Perce National Forest 1
Payette National Forest 1
Priest Lake State Park 2
Salmon Challis National Forest 1
Sawtooth National Park 2
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of ID showing light pollution from the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. On the right is a 2015 light pollution map showing sky brightness at the zenith from World Atlas data. Colors correspond approximately to the Bortle scale. Use as a guide to find the darkest sky locations near you.

ID night sky light pollution map