Dark Sky Places in TX

List of darkest places in Texas 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
Angelina National Forest
Balmorhea State Park State Park 3
Bee Cave
Big Bend National Park 1
Big Bend Ranch State Park 2
Blanco
Caprock Canyons State Park 2
Colorado Bend State Park 2
Copper Breaks State Park 2
Davis Mountains State Park 2
Davy Crockett National Forest
Devil's River State Natural Area 2
Devil's Sinkhole 2
Dripping Springs
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area 3
Fredericksburg
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Horseshoe Bay
Jonestown
Kickapoo Cavern State Park 2
Liberty Hill (2025)
Lost Maples State Natural Area 2
Lyndon B. Johnson Park
Padre Island National Seashore
Reimers Ranch Park
Sabine National Forest
Sam Houston National Forest
Seminole Canyon State Park 2
South Llano River State Park 3
UBarU Camp & Retreat 2
Wimberley Valley


Light Pollution Map w/ Bortle

On the left is a 2019 satellite image of TX 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.

TX night sky light pollution map