DarkSky Approved Lodging

DarkSky Approved Lodging is an overnight visitor accommodation with exceptional or distinguished quality starry nights and a nighttime environment preserved through on-site DarkSky Approved lighting. They include lodges, Inns, cabins, small retreat centers, and other permanent structures for overnight accommodations that promote ecotourism, or astrotourism, and are situated in dark sky locations.

All locations go through a rigorous review and certification process, including regular reporting and periodic recertification.

DarkSky Approved Lodging criteria

• The facility is located in a region with an exceptional dark sky resource.
• The facility understands sensitive nighttime resources and appropriate means of reducing the impact of light at night.
• The facility showcases exemplary outdoor lighting practices.
• The facility allows regular nighttime access to guests and provides educational or outreach material about night sky conservation to guests.

The Lodging program is intended to complement the award-winning International Dark Sky Places conservation program by recognizing operators that provide overnight accommodation to the public visiting dark sky locations where the Milky Way is visible. They provide opportunities for visitors to spend the night in a dark sky location — an increasingly rare experience for many of the world’s population.

Developed in partnership with Under Canvas, the DarkSky Lodging certification program sets a new standard in the travel industry, encouraging hospitality companies to join in DarkSky’s efforts to protect the night sky from light pollution, which continues to grow at an alarming rate.

Certified DarkSky Approved Lodging