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Parks

These Are The Best Texas State Parks for Stargazing

State parks boast some of the darkest skies in Texas.

Story by Texas Parks and Wildlife

May 2023

tent at an equestrian campground panorama of the night sky

Ben Jacobi

tent at an equestrian campground panorama of the night sky
Ben Jacobi

COPPER BREAKS STATE PARK

NAMED FOR the copper found in the area, this red-dirt North Texas park has some of the darkest skies in Texas. It was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2014, one of the first. Copper Breaks presents ranger-led stargazing programs throughout the year, but you don’t need to attend the program to gaze into the night sky. 

BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK

The Big Bend region has one of the largest areas of protected night sky in the U.S. At Big Bend Ranch, stargaze along the scenic River Road or at one of the park’s many primitive campsites.

KICKAPOO CAVERN STATE PARK

An explorer looks up from inside Kickapoo Cavern

Laurence Parent

An explorer looks up from inside Kickapoo Cavern

Laurence Parent

At the wild and versatile Kickapoo Cavern State Park, visitors can descend deep into the earth (cave tours are available every Saturday), and gaze high into the sky (stargazing is available every night that isn’t cloudy).

DEVILS RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA

devils_river_campsite with a view of the Milky Way

Brett Kasserly

devils_river_campsite with a view of the Milky Way

Brett Kasserly

With a pristine river flowing through it, Devils River State Natural Area in southwest Texas is one of the darkest and most ecologically fragile sites in the world. In 2019, it was named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first in Texas.

DEVIL'S SINKHOLE STATE NATURAL AREA

View into Devil's Sinkhole.

Chase Fountain | TPWD

View into Devil's Sinkhole.

Chase Fountain | TPWD

Come for the bats (3 million Mexican freetails), stay for the stars (several thousand visible from this park by night). Access the park by contacting the Devil’s Sinkhole Society at (830) 683-BATS (2287).

As Seen in the
May 2023 Issue
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