The Winter Milky Way arches high over Nemo Bridge at Obed Wild and Scenic River/Brandon Jett.

It gets dark, very dark, at Obed Wild and Scenic River on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. So dark, in fact, that the park has received designation as an International Dark Sky Park. With this designation, Obed Wild and Scenic River is now the second National Park Service unit east of Colorado to earn this designation and the 17th national park in the United States to do so. 

Starry night skies are an important part of the special places the National Park Service protects. The national parks hold some of the last remaining harbors of darkness and provide amazing opportunities to experience this critical resource. Obed Wild and Scenic River is one of these special places with a truly dark night sky. Among Obed’s interpretive themes is a primary goal to reconnect life and nature by discussing the value of quiet, solitude, and even darkness in the noisy, frenetic, and developed world of the 21st century. 

“The accreditation of the Obed as an International Dark Sky Park highlights the importance of dark nights to the health of riparian ecosystems,” said International Dark Sky Association Executive Director J. Scott Feierabend. “Further, it aims toward the protection of a broader swath of dark night skies over the Cumberland Plateau that we hope will be realized in the future.”

To qualify as an International Dark Sky Park, Obed demonstrated exceptional dark-sky conditions, and a strong commitment to preserving the park’s night sky resource for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. Since 2013, the park has offered year-round astronomy and dark sky interpretive programs, supported by a strong collaboration with local amateur astronomers from the ORION Astronomy Club in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the Knoxville Observers in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

The Obed park staff started working with the International Dark Sky Program on certification efforts several years ago, including collecting data, offering Night Sky Junior Ranger programming, and making sure that all park activities considered night sky as a valuable natural resource.

“Just as it is important for people to be able to hike, rock climb, fish, paddle and so many other activities in this beautiful place, it is essential that the wonders of the night sky be available for all to experience,” said Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas. 

The International Dark Sky Places Program was started in 2001 to encourage communities around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting polices and public education. Designations are based on stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach.