The Biggest Dark Sky Reserve Is In Texas

Hey Texas photographers, grab your tripods because it's time to chase the Milky Way.

This summer, Liberty Hill made history by becoming Texas’s newest International Dark Sky Community and the first in Williamson County. That means quality outdoor lighting, dark-sky-friendly policies, community-installed lighting retrofits, and grassroots advocacy all come together to protect the nightscape. It’s a proud win for Liberty Hill and a testament to what citizen action can achieve (libertyhilltx.gov).

Founded in the mid-1800s and nestled 33 miles northwest of Austin, Liberty Hill blends Hill Country charm with stunning night skies. Thanks to the Liberty Hill Save Our Stars team and a forward-thinking Outdoor Lighting Ordinance enacted in 2020, the city inventoried over 1,100 fixtures and is retrofitting municipal and Pedernales Electric Coop streetlights, all aiming for completion by August 2027 (libertyhilltx.gov).

As Donna Leonard, the founder of the volunteer group, declared:

“In Texas, the stars at night are supposed to be big and bright.”
Now Liberty Hill is ensuring that tradition lives on for generations to come.

The city’s Dark Sky Committee is already planning regional star party collaborations, lighting workshops, and educational events to keep the momentum going.

Official Dark Sky Places in Texas

As of July 2025, there are 23 certified Dark Sky Places in Texas, listed by DarkSky International via DarkSky Texas (darkskytexas.org):

1. Sierra La Rana Development (Alpine) – Development/Community (2009)

2. Big Bend National Park – Park (Gold Tier, 2012)

3. City of Dripping Springs – Community (2014)

4. Copper Breaks State Park – Park (2014)

5. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – Park (2014)

6. Lost Creek Development (Austin) – Development (2015)

7. City of Horseshoe Bay – Community (2015)

8. U Bar U Camp & Retreat Center – Park (2016)

9. South Llano River State Park – Park (2017)

10. River Hills Neighborhood (Westlake) – Neighborhood (2017)

11. Big Bend Ranch State Park – Park (2017)

12. Wimberley Valley – Community (2018)

13. Devils River State Natural Area – Sanctuary (2019)

14. Lakewood Village – Community (2019)

15. City of Fredericksburg – Community (2020)

16. Milton Reimers Ranch Park – Park (2021)

17. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park – Park (2021)

18. Black Gap Wildlife Management Area – Sanctuary (2021)

19. Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve – Reserve (2022)

20. City of Blanco – Community (2022)

21. City of Bee Cave – Community (2023)

22. City of Jonestown – Community (2024)

23. Shield Ranch Barton Creek – Urban Night Sky Place (2024)

24. City of Liberty Hill – Community (2025)

Best Dark Sky Spots for Night Photography in Texas

These destinations are perfect for astrophotographers:

• Big Bend National Park (Gold-tier, Bortle Class 1): The darkest skies in the contiguous U.S., now part of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Expect jaw-dropping Milky Way views and meteor showers.

• Big Bend Ranch State Park: Vast remote trails under Class 1–2 skies make this park a dream for long-exposure photography.

• Copper Breaks, Enchanted Rock, and South Llano River State Parks: Hill Country and Panhandle parks that are perfect for weekend nightscape trips.

• Devils River State Natural Area and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area: Remote sanctuaries ideal for uninterrupted celestial photography.

• Urban Dark Sky Communities like Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay, Bee Cave, Fredericksburg, Jonestown, and Liberty Hill: Perfect for photographers who want dark-sky access closer to city hubs.

How Texas Photographers Can Support Dark Sky Conservation

• Volunteer with local star-watch groups or Save Our Stars initiatives

• Use dark-sky compliant outdoor lighting and help retrofit community fixtures

• Promote astro-tourism and star parties to encourage awareness

• Share astrophotography online to inspire others to care about preserving dark skies

Why Protecting Dark Skies in Texas Matters

From the silent hills of Big Bend to small towns like Liberty Hill, the dark-sky movement is about more than stargazing. It’s about environmental stewardship, community identity, energy savings, and preserving a natural legacy. The International Dark Sky Places program now spans over 230 locations worldwide, starting with Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2001.

Texas Photographers, The Stars Are Calling

With Liberty Hill’s new Dark Sky Community status, Texas now has 23 certified Dark Sky Places, including four gold-tier parks. Whether you're capturing star trails or shooting the Milky Way over Hill Country, these preserved night skies are your ultimate creative muse. Let’s keep them shining bright for generations to come.