This Beloved Arkansas River Will Become The Very First Dark Sky Park In The South
By Carol Ann Carson|Published May 24, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
There’s no doubt that the Buffalo National River is one of Arkansas’ most treasured gems. After all, the country’s first national river has endless trails, beautiful campsites, and the best lazy float in the world (okay so we’re a little biased). The river will soon have a new title as Arkansas’ first Dark Sky Park. Let’s gaze up at the stars and learn more about the importance of this new honor.
If you've ever spent the night along the Buffalo National River, you already know how amazing the view is under the stars.
President Nixon signed the Public Law in 1972, making the Buffalo the first national river in the U.S. It's also one of the few free-flowing rivers left in the nation. Before becoming the National River, the Buffalo used to be a state park. The area is making history once again though! It'll soon be one of the few International Dark Sky Parks.
Dark sky parks are known for their limited light pollution and there's less than 100 in the world!
There are 60 International Dark Sky Parks around the world. The Arkansas Natural Sky Association and the National Park Service have been working towards this distinct honor for over two years. Although it has not been made official yet, if granted, this will be the first dark sky park in the mid-south. Other dark sky parks in the U.S. are mostly concentrated in the desert areas like the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest in Arizona.
The main goal of becoming a dark sky park is to limit light pollution. Less harsh lighting protects migrating animals that can be disrupted by the confusing lights. This means campgrounds would be updated with downward facing lights and more educational programming to teach others how to limit light pollution.
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Whether you're pitching a tent under the stars or renting a cabin along the bluffs, there's no better time to get out and enjoy the peaceful darkness of the Buffalo National River.
If you'd like to learn more about the efforts of the International Dark-Sky Association, visit their website right here. If you're needing some ideas for how to spend your weekend on the Buffalo (or to rent a cabin) we highly recommend the Buffalo Outdoor Center.
Isn’t that neat? Share your thoughts on the new dark sky park with us in the comments below! You can always share your Buffalo photos (day or night with us in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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