Dark Sky Parks
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park
Vandalia, MichiganBortle 2 Best in Summer
Truly dark sky, with the zodiacal light clearly visible.
The only certified dark sky park in southern Michigan, Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park is the most accessible certified site for visitors from Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis. The 850-acre park was deeded posthumously by Chicago physician Dr. Theodore Kenneth Lawless in 1971 and earned its dark sky designation after a 2.5-year process of replacing all outdoor lighting with fully shielded fixtures. Bortle 2 conditions and a flat terrain with low horizon access make summer Milky Way views excellent.
What's here
On the map
What to bring
Our picks for a good night under the stars.
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