Nebraska Is Now Home To The Newest Dark Sky Reserve In The World
By Delana Lefevers|Published October 03, 2022
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
The Sandhills region of Nebraska is one of the most remote and sparsely populated places in the country, and it’s the perfect place for nature lovers to get away and relax. Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area sits in the midst of all that natural beauty, yet far removed from just about everything else. This Cherry County gem is a favorite of anglers, hikers, swimmers, boaters, and just about everyone who feels most at home in the outdoors. The recreation area also has a new designation: International Dark Sky Park.
The annual Nebraska Star Party has been held at Merritt Reservoir since the '90s. Every year it attracts novice stargazers, veteran astronomers, and professional photographers who all gather to take advantage of the unparalleled experience.
People have known for decades that this area in the Sandhills has some of the lowest levels of light pollution in the state. Now, the International Dark-Sky Association has made it official: in August of 2022, Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area was named the 200th certified Dark Sky Place on the planet.
One of the qualifications for the designation is that the Milky Way must be easily visible from the spot with the naked eye. Potential Dark Sky Places must also provide value through "scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and public enjoyment."
The region around Merritt Reservoir Recreation Area is so sparsely populated that there are no city lights to spoil the dark skies. The nearest town is Valentine, which is about a 30-minute drive away.
The result is a spectacularly inky black night sky that provides a backdrop to countless twinkling dots above. The folks behind the Nebraska Star Party have been campaigning for Merritt to receive the honor of a Dark Sky Place designation for years, so becoming the 200th place in the world with the title is a sweet victory.
You don't need any special equipment to enjoy the stars at Merritt Reservoir. Just show up before sunset to stake out a spot and be sure to leave your headlights, phones, and other artificial lights off. Give your eyes time to adjust to the deep darkness before the stars appear above you.
Visit Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area for a day full of fun and a night full of stars. And if you’d like to extend your stay so you can enjoy it all again the next day, you can even book a room at the Merritt Trading Post Resort. What a sweet getaway in one of Nebraska’s most scenic areas.
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