Forgotten Stars: How Texas State Parks Help You See the Milky Way Again

There's an alarming statistic on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website that states an overwhelming majority of Americans have never seen the Milky Way. Supposedly, it's estimated that 80 percent of us have never seen the galaxy we call home.

One of the reasons given for this shocking number is light pollution. To remedy this situation, Texas Parks & Wildlife is taking action.

What Is Light Pollution, And Why It Matters

Light pollution occurs when lights shine where they aren't supposed to. When light pollution occurs at night, it makes it practically impossible to see the beauty of the night sky.

Think of the last time you were downtown in a city surrounded by tons of lights. You might see some stars in the sky, but you are getting only a tiny fraction of the view you could have if those lights weren't there.

READ MORE: Liberty Hill Becomes Texas' Newest International Dark Sky Community

Texas Parks & Wildlife is trying to fix this by improving the night sky views in state parks. This is where the Dark Skies Program comes in.

Texas Parks & Wildlife And The Texas Dark Skies Program

The Dark Skies Program wants to help improve our overall health, save money, and protect our night sky heritage by improving lighting. They've been working with Texas Parks & Wildlife to improve the lighting in state parks.

Texas has four state parks that are recognized as International Dark Parks and two International Dark Sky Sanctuaries. If you want to get a great view of the night sky, these are some of the best spots in Texas to do it.

Best Dark Sky Destinations in Texas

All of our state parks in Texas are good for viewing the night sky. To help us all get reacquainted with what's above our heads at night, there are stargazing events lined up through the rest of 2025 at state parks across the state.

READ MORE: Wanna Get Lost In The Stars? Here's Where To Go Near Amarillo.

These events will allow you to see things you've probably never seen before in the night sky, and you might even learn a little bit while you do it. Plus, there's nothing more romantic than an embrace under the stars.

If you're one of those who have never seen the Milky Way or a meteor shower, or have ever been where it's completely dark and just looked up, consider visiting one of these events. The whole list is on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.