Dark Sky Places in IN

List of darkest places in Indiana 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
Beverly Shores
Clark National Forest
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Eagle Creek Park
Ferdinand National Forest
Greene-Sullivan State Forest
Harrison-Crawford State Forest
Hoosier National Forest
Indiana Dunes National Park
Jackson-Washington State Forest
Martin National Forest
Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Mountain Tea State Forest
Owen-Putnam State Forest
Pike State Forest
Ravinia National Forest
Salamonie River State Forest
Selmier State Forest
Shades State Park 4
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
Tippecanoe River State Park 4
Turkey Run State Park 4
Yellowwood State Forest


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of IN 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.

IN night sky light pollution map