Wimberley Valley
Rural sky, where the Milky Way shows complex structure.
Named DarkSky International's Dark Sky Place of the Year for 2023, the highest recognition the organization awards. The Wimberley Valley community, encompassing the towns of Wimberley and Woodcreek in the Texas Hill Country, was certified in 2018 and has since built one of the most active dark sky advocacy communities in the state. Bortle 3. About an hour southwest of Austin. The certification covers the full community, meaning the entire valley operates under dark sky lighting standards. A good base for multi-night Hill Country dark sky trips with more amenities than the remote park options.
What's here
On the map
What to bring
Our picks for a good night under the stars.
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Nearby in USA
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California's largest state park. Silver Tier desert darkness.
Arches National Park
Gold Tier certified: sandstone arches make iconic Milky Way foregrounds.
Big Bend National Park
The darkest national park in the lower 48 and the first certified dark sky park in Texas.