The Milky Way arcs over the Mack Reef archipelago at Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge as Perseid meteors streak across the sky. Spanning the Oregon coast, the wilderness islands and windswept headlands of the refuge are celebrated for their abundant wildlife and rugged grandeur. Rocky islands and sheer cliffs provide isolated breeding and resting habitat for diverse communities of birds, marine mammals, and plants along the wave-battered coastline. The area contains rare plants, unique geological formations, and parcels of intact coastal prairie, an imperiled habitat type in Oregon. Because of the important conservation work underway here, much of this refuge is best experienced from hundreds of waysides and scenic viewpoints showcasing the rocks, reefs and islands. Timelapse video by Peter Pearsall, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It’s International Dark Sky Week, and we’re celebrating some of the public lands that are awesome stargazing destinations. Some of the last harbors of dark skies, public lands provide unspoiled views of the stars glittering above. Named the first International Dark Sky Park in 2007, Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah contains three beautiful natural bridges. At night, the bridges form a window into the sky, giving visitors a view of thousands of stars that are bright enough to cast a shadow. Visitors here can see up to 15,000 stars throughout the night. 

Check out more awesome night sky photos: https://on.doi.gov/2qwdV51

Photo of the Milky Way and Owachomo Bridge by Manish Mamtani (www.sharetheexperience.com).

Nothing compares to staying up all night, watching the stars twinkle overhead. Derek Culver captured this amazing pic at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. The lights on the mountain: A few climbers getting an early start to the summit under the Milky Way.  Photo courtesy of Derek Culver.

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is the ultimate place to explore the wonders of the night sky. Here the Milky Way extends from horizon to horizon like a vast silver rainbow, and on a moonless night, visitors can see 7,500 stars. David Lane captured this spectacular panorama (it’s made up of 25 individual photos stitched together) of the stars sparkling over the canyon. And the colorful red and green swirls in the sky that look like the aurora: it’s a phenomenon called airglow. Photo courtesy of David Lane. 🌌

It’s that time of year again! The nights are dark enough that when a good solar wind is blowing, the ‪Northern Lights‬ are visible in the sky over Denali National Park and Preserve. Here is what the aurora borealis looked like at Monday night over the Toklat River and through the trees. Photos by Daniel A. Leifheit, National Park Service.

A stunning shot of the Perseid meteor shower from the summit of Haleakala National Park in Hawaii. Already impressive in the light of day, the summit takes on a new dimension at night when the darkness reveals the brilliant night sky and spectacular views of the Milky Way. Photo courtesy of Chris Archer.

Stargazing is amazing at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. With very little light pollution, the park is home to some of the best dark skies in the country. Photo by Kevin Palmer (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is located on the Colorado Plateau in the pristine and spectacular canyonlands of Utah. A beautiful drive along Cottonwood Creek Drive takes you to Grosvenors Arch – a rare double natural arch that is one of the most unusual features of the Grand Staircase-Escalante. Pictured here is the Milky Way glittering in the sky as seen from the front side of Grosvenors Arch. Photo courtesy of David Lane.

Located in the heart of Dinosaur National Monument canyon country, Echo Park provides many opportunities to enjoy remarkable surroundings and discover Fremont petroglyphs. At night the sky is filled with a spectacular display of stars thanks to the lack of light pollution – making stargazing a must. Pictured here, the Milky Way fills the night sky along the Green River. Photo by Dan Duriscoe, National Park Service.

Located just a few hours outside Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix, Joshua Tree in California is a true desert wilderness. The park is known for its unique rock formations (making it perfect for rock climbing) and its Joshua tree forests, which are rumored to be the inspiration for Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Not to mention, it has some of the best sunsets and dark skies for stargazing. Benjamin Benoit captured this great shot about a month ago at dusk as the stars began to appear in the sky. Unedited and unfiltered photo courtesy of Benjamin Benoit.

For more great photos, check out: http://on.doi.gov/1dLWrrM