The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a 1,416-square-mile (3,670 km 2) dark-sky preserve near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, in the U.S. state of Idaho. Boasting some of the darkest skies in the lower 48, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve provides an opportunity to see objects in the night sky that are not visible throughout most of the U.S. Lower Stanley is in the beautiful Sawtooth National Recreation Area, one mile northeast of Stanley on Highway 75 along the scenic Salmon River. Idaho’s small population and wide-open spaces are the perfect formula for one of the state’s most underrated activities: stargazing. Reserve campground, lodging, marina, and day-use locations online with ReserveAmerica. Fishing, hunting, hiking, ATV trails… it's all here waiting for you to enjoy! America’s first dark sky reserve is right here in Idaho | Idaho Statesman. We’re surrounded by so much artificial light these days that we forget how dazzling the night sky can be. Idahoans have long been aware that we have the very best night skies which are perfect for gazing up at the stars. In the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve & the view is spectacular. It … A little sky glow in the North, Over 100 miles to the next town in the south, even further west. Headwaters Lodging, Clayton, Idaho. Booking for Summer 2020. The Milky Way soars above your campsite in Stanley or … From that, naked-eye limiting magnitude must be at least 6.5 Explore an astonishing International Dark Sky Reserve, natural hot springs, rugged mountains, and sparkling lakes and rivers. Here you will find the full variety of lodging options to make your action-packed trip filled with peaceful nights. Beautiful log cabins located half way between Stanley and Challis on HWY 75. The association gave the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve “Gold Tier” status, its highest ranking of the quality of the night sky. Just announced in December 2017, the new Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (which includes the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the communities … Welcome to Idaho. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a region of 3,668 square kilometers (1,416 square miles) of remote and largely rugged lands in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho, U.S.The Reserve has as its core parts of two recognized wilderness areas, and is situated in the spectacular scenery of the Sawtooth National Forest. In the Sawtooth Valley, back at the campsite, the moon has totally set, the air is chilly, and the heavens have gotten even clearer. Central Idaho constitutes one of the last large ‘pools’ of natural nighttime darkness left in the United States. On nearly an acre with access to Valley Creek in the back. The International Dark-Sky Association’s designation requires public and private lands to “possess an exceptional or distinguished quality of night sky, view of the stars and nocturnal environment". That means that in these places and the wilderness of the Sawtooth Mountains, light pollution is almost completely nonexistent. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which includes the communities of Ketchum, Sun Valley and Stanley, and the Sawtooth Mountains, was designated in December 2017 and is one of only 13 Dark Sky Reserves in the world, and the only one in the United States. Camping – there are a variety of established camp grounds in the area along with more “off the grid” or “backwoods” options. It was designated on December 18, 2017 and is the first gold-tier dark sky preserve in the United States. An IDA International Dark Sky Reserve is a public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage How are the sky conditions? 136 likes. Stanley is part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which is America’s First Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Reserve. Reservations made easy! The association gave the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve “Gold Tier” status, its … The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve encompasses 906,000 acres (1,416 square miles) most of which is public lands within the Sawtooth National Forest. As proposed, the more than 900,000-acre central Idaho dark sky reserve would include Ketchum, Hailey and Sun Valley on the periphery with tiny Stanley right on the edge of the core where the sky is darkest.