Dark Sky Places in MI

List of darkest places in Michigan 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
Clear Lake State Park 2
Craig Lake State Park 2
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park 2
Fayette Historic State Park 2
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park 2
Headlands State Park 2
Hiawatha National Forest 2
Hoeft State Park 2
Huron-Manistee National Forest
Isle Royale National Park 2
Lake Gogebic State Park 2
Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park 2
Leelanau State Park 2
Muskallonge Lake State Park 1
Negwegon State Park 2
Onaway State Park 2
Ottawa National Forest
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 2
Rockport State Recreation Area
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sturgeon Point State Park 2
Tahquamemon Falls 2
Thompsons Harbor State Park 2
Wells State Park 2
Wilderness State Park 2


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of MI 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.

MI night sky light pollution map