PR Newswire·Nov 11, 2026, 4:28 PM ET

Voyageurs National Park Named 2026 International Dark Sky Place of the Year

Voyageurs Conservancy & Voyageurs National Park received the 2026 International Dark Sky Place of the Year Award from DarkSky International.
The recognition honors the organizations' partnership in dark sky education, outreach, & light pollution advocacy to protect ecosystems & human health.
Programs include Park After Dark events, Boreal Stargazing Week, hybrid classroom initiatives, & the annual Voyageurs Star Party.
The park covers 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, & rock formations, with over one-third of the area covered by water.
Voyageurs was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2020 & remains largely free of light pollution.
The park forms part of one of the world's largest Dark Sky Regions alongside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness & Quetico Provincial Park.
The Dark Sky Initiative connects visitors to the night sky through telescope viewing, virtual classrooms, & guided tours.
Executive Director Christina Hausman Rhode stated the award celebrates the partnership with the National Park Service to preserve the park's night skies.
Special events to celebrate the honor are planned for 2027, with further details to be announced.
Voyageurs National Park was established in 1975 & serves as Minnesota's Certified Dark Sky Park.