Enjoy Incredible Stars at Your Dark Sky Park

Your special corner of the cosmos—where the Milky Way meets the meadow in one of the East Coast's few certified Dark Sky Parks.

Dark Sky Events 2025

News & Events

DarkSky International awarded Rappahannock County Park International Dark Sky Park status in 2019, recognizing excellent stewardship of the night sky. Attend one of our Dark Sky events to enjoy Rappahannock County's pristine night sky and learn why dark skies matter.

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Moonlight Magic: Exploring Earth's Nearest Neighbor

Join our expert-led lunar observation night featuring close-up views of the nearly full moon's spectacular features.

5/10/2025 8:15 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Moonlight Magic: Exploring Earth's Nearest Neighbor

Join our expert-led lunar observation night featuring close-up views of the nearly full moon's spectacular features.

5/10/2025 8:15 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Late Spring Night Sky Viewing

Witness the transition to summer skies during this special new moon observation evening at our Dark-Sky Park.

5/24/2025 8:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Late Spring Night Sky Viewing

Witness the transition to summer skies during this special new moon observation evening at our Dark-Sky Park.

5/24/2025 8:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Summer Solstice Skies: Celebrating the Season of Stars

Experience the wonder of early summer night skies during this expert-guided astronomical journey through seasonal constellations and deep sky treasures.

6/28/2025 8:40 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Summer Solstice Skies: Celebrating the Season of Stars

Experience the wonder of early summer night skies during this expert-guided astronomical journey through seasonal constellations and deep sky treasures.

6/28/2025 8:40 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Summer Milky Way Spectacular

Experience the magnificent summer Milky Way in all its glory during this prime new moon viewing night.

7/26/2025 8:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Summer Milky Way Spectacular

Experience the magnificent summer Milky Way in all its glory during this prime new moon viewing night.

7/26/2025 8:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Perseids Aftermath: Late Summer Meteor Watch

Explore the lingering meteor activity and spectacular summer deep sky objects during this expert-led astronomical evening.

8/23/2025 8:00 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Perseids Aftermath: Late Summer Meteor Watch

Explore the lingering meteor activity and spectacular summer deep sky objects during this expert-led astronomical evening.

8/23/2025 8:00 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Equinox Skies: The Changing Celestial Landscape

Celebrate the arrival of autumn with this special dark sky event showcasing the transition between summer and fall night skies.

9/20/2025 7:15 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Equinox Skies: The Changing Celestial Landscape

Celebrate the arrival of autumn with this special dark sky event showcasing the transition between summer and fall night skies.

9/20/2025 7:15 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Autumn Night Sky Exploration

Discover fall's celestial treasures during this special dark sky evening featuring autumn constellations and deep sky objects.

10/18/2025 6:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Autumn Night Sky Exploration

Discover fall's celestial treasures during this special dark sky evening featuring autumn constellations and deep sky objects.

10/18/2025 6:30 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Winter's Gateway: Late Autumn Stargazing

Witness the transition to winter skies during this special late-autumn observation evening featuring early winter constellations.

11/15/2025 5:00 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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Winter's Gateway: Late Autumn Stargazing

Witness the transition to winter skies during this special late-autumn observation evening featuring early winter constellations.

11/15/2025 5:00 PM

Rappahannock County Park

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About our Dark Skies

The Rappahannock County Park is a 7.3-acre park located centrally in Rappahannock County off Route 211 near the town of Washington, Virginia, mere miles east of Shenandoah National Park. The park offers a quiet area for picnicking, hiking, outdoor activities such as butterfly counting, birding, trout fishing, and stargazing. Located only several miles from the Appalachian Trail access near Chester Gap, the Park serves as a mini gateway into the historic Virginia Blue Ridge foothills, one of the darkest remaining areas within the Eastern United States. Photo Credit: Joyce Harman

Light Pollution

"In the evolutionary blink of an eye, artificial light has altered migration, mating, foraging, pollination and predation rhythms that developed over eons. Light pollution isn’t as severe an ecological threat as climate change or habitat loss, but it’s accelerating the decline of many animal populations." Dana Milbank, Washington Post.