Here are some useful links: - Sortable Dark Site Listing - Add A New Dark Site - How To See the Milky Way - How To See the Aurora - Color Scale Meaning - More Astronomy Links Shopping, restaurants, accommodations, and amazing night sky viewing access can be found within and around all three cities. Central Idaho constitutes one of the last large ‘pools’ of natural nighttime darkness left in the United States. State Highways 75 and 21 provide easy access to and through the CIDSR. Maps; Parking; Road & Snow Business; Wagon Days; Column 2. The map uses NOAA/EOG VIIRS, World Atlas 2015, observatories and SQM/SQC overlay managed by users. The geolocate button actually works now, which is especially useful for mobile devices. America’s first Dark Sky Reserve. National Forest maps provide detailed information about various land designations throughout the Reserve. Starry, starry night. With our sparse population and wide open spaces, Idaho is a virtual black spot on the light pollution map. Here are some useful links: - Sortable Dark Site Listing - Add A New Dark Site - How To See the Milky Way - How To See the Aurora - Color Scale Meaning - More Astronomy Links The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a treasured resource for local residents and for all Idahoans and visitors from across the world that come to experience the wonder of the starry night sky. Welcome to the improved DarkSiteFinder light pollution map. What Are the Basics of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (CIDSR)? Photo Credit: Oliver Guy/ Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. Dark Sky Reserve was designated in December 2017 as the first dark sky reserve in the US. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a region of 3,668 square kilometers (1,416 square miles) of remote and largely rugged lands in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho, U.S.The Reserve has as its core parts of two recognized wilderness areas, and is situated in … The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (CIDSR) is located in central Idaho and encompasses the cities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Stanley. Respect: While most of the Reserve is on National Forest Service lands, it is important to be aware and respectful of the private land and homes in the area. Thanks very much, Mr. Carter. A large patch of land in central Idaho has just been designated the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the country, and it’s one of only 12 such reserves on Earth. I would like to add a couple of tangential comments -- We should all be able to enjoy the sky from our own backyards, rooftops, and local parks. Long story short, the Idaho Dark Sky Reserve designation means that our area is some of the best opportunities for viewing the night sky in not only the US, but also the world! The Reserve is the result of a collective commitment by communities, public land managers, and private landowners to support the dark sky experience For those looking for a more in-depth explanation, we’ll list out a few highlights below. Weilmunster Park Park in Crouch, ID. Welcome to the improved DarkSiteFinder light pollution map. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses 906,000 acres (1,416 square miles) most of which is public lands within the Sawtooth National Forest. It stretches from Sun Valley to Stanley, including parts of Sawtooth National Forest. Photo Credit: Oliver Guy/ Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. Boasting some of the darkest skies in the lower 48, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve provides an opportunity to see objects in the night sky that are not visible throughout most of the U.S. The 1,416-square-mile area in Idaho is the third largest dark sky reserve in the world. America’s first Dark Sky Reserve. "Central Idaho and the Reserve. Starry, starry night. April 16, 2018 at 3:56 pm. ← Layers/Dark Site Placemarks Button ← Geolocate Button ← Open Information Panel. With our sparse population and wide open spaces, Idaho is a virtual black spot on the light pollution map. The 1,416-square-mile area in Idaho is the third largest dark sky reserve in the world. Always ask owners’ permission to cross private property. The reserve, which is located in central Idaho, occupies an area of about 1,400 square miles.The reserve boasts as the third largest dark sky reserve in the world. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is now one of only 12 in the world designated by the International Dark-Sky Association, which has a mission of preserving dark skies around the world, bestowing the honor to regions that “possess an exceptional or distinguished quality of night sky, view of the stars and nocturnal environment”.