Arizona National Monument Officially Recognized For Exceptionally Dark Skies
AJO, Arizona – The National Park Service and DarkSky International are proud to announce Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as an official Dark Sky Park. Over forty parks within the National Park System are International Dark Sky Places which are considered some of the last remaining harbors of starlit skies, with some practically untouched by light pollution. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has long provided amazing opportunities to experience night and gaze up at the celestial wonders of the night sky and now it has an official accommodation:
“Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, is proud to receive this Dark Sky designation. Protecting the monument’s night environment honors a landscape where the stars have guided and inspired early peoples for generations and continue to shape our understanding of this place today. This recognition reflects focused efforts to modernize park infrastructure in ways that support the surrounding natural environment. National parks remain among the most valuable places in the country to experience the clarity of star-filled skies, from distant galaxies to the planets that define our shared night.” -Superintendent Raquel Montez
The park was supported through the certification process by many partners including International Sonoran Desert Alliance, Western National Parks, and DarkSky Southern Arizona. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is committed to continually working with park partners and others on future dark sky visitor experiences. To recognize this support for dark sky conservation and interpretation, the park will be hosting a celebration in Winter 2027 (details will be announced at a later date).
Leave a Reply