Enjoy Incredible Stars at Your Dark Sky Park
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.
NOTE: Open Observation Evenings require 24 hour advance registration.
Open Observation Evening: Spring
RLEP Dark Sky Event: Spring Program
Open Observation Evening: Early Summer
RLEP Full Moon Event
Open Observation Evening: Midsummer
RLEP Dark Sky Event: August Program
Open Observation Evening: Early Autumn
RLEP Dark Sky Event: October Program
Open Observation Evening: Late Autumn
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.