Despite being home to big cities like Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada contains some of the most remote destinations in the country. As a result, it’s at these remote locations that you’ll come across some of the darkest skies you’ve ever seen. In fact, there’s one region in Nevada that was officially designated one of the darkest places in the world, and it’s kind of a big deal! If you’ve been searching for the perfect stargazing spot, look no further than the world’s newest Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Before recently, there were only six Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the entire world. However, a seventh was just added, and you'll find it at the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in northern Nevada.
The International Dark-Sky Association is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving our world's night skies since 1988. There are numerous dark sky communities, parks, and reserves around the world. However, the Dark Sky Sanctuary is one of the rarest designations to find.
Dark Sky Sanctuaries are the most remote, and therefore the darkest, places in the world. According to the Dark Sky Association, a sanctuary is a place that has the most "exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights".
Of course, Nevada is full of remote wilderness areas where the night skies are absolutely spectacular. However, Massacre Rim is special because it's the one place with next to no light pollution due to its distance from populated areas.
If you've ever ventured out to Massacre Rim at night, then you know that this region is especially worthy of its new Dark Sky designation. It's here that you'll be treated to some of the most unreal views of the Milky Way and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy.
Comprised of 101,000 acres and located approximately 150 miles north of Reno, Massacre Rim is a must for any hardcore stargazer. There are just three other Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the country (in New Mexico, Texas, and Utah), so be sure to take advantage of this rare landscape and plan to see this dark sky for yourself sometime soon!
