Taking time to enjoy a scenic getaway to Central Idaho is always a treat for travelers. From the valleys and hills to the rivers and forests to explore, the options for enjoying your surroundings are seemingly endless. Another benefit to visiting this region is that options to admire beautiful surroundings continue once the sun goes down. Central Idaho has the unique distinction of being free of invasive light pollution, meaning sky seekers can enjoy viewing stars, planets, galaxies, and nebulae relatively uninterrupted during a stay. This is especially true when you spend time at the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
Enjoy a Unique Space in Central Idaho
The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is truly unique and a special testament to the area’s heritage. Open to locals and visitors alike, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a place where you can experience the best of the starry night sky without having to worry about light pollution. With binoculars and telescopes in hand, you’ll find easy access here to views of comets, meteors, and even the Milky Way. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the first internationally recognized of its kind in the U.S. It was officially named in December of 2017 by the International Dark-Sky Association and is just the 12th of its kind across the planet.
The Goal of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
Beyond being inspiring, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve serves many important purposes. It’s designed to both preserve and enhance the natural nighttime experience while providing enhanced economic benefits to the area through energy savings and tourism boosts alike. The Dark Sky Reserve conserves local nocturnal ecosystems and supports nocturnal wildlife as well. It’s a place where researchers can focus their work and local educational opportunities abound. Overall, the idea is to promote the dark night skies as a unique community asset that will be valuable for generations to come.
Planning Your Visit
In its entirety, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve spans Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Stanley alike. The easiest route to accessing the Dark Sky Reserve includes state highways 75 and 21. If you visit in the summer, you can spend an entire day here before the sun goes down making the most of white water river rafting, hiking, biking, or fishing. During the winter, your stargazing can be paired with skiing or snowshoeing. No matter when you arrive, be sure to check the Dark Sky Reserve’s event calendar to see what special opportunities are coming up on-site.
Book Your Stay in Sun Valley Today
When travel plans bring you to Sun Valley, the team at Abode Sun Valley has the luxurious, comfortable, and stylish accommodations you need to make more of your stay. Reach out today to find your ideal home-away-from-home within our impressive portfolio of vacation rental options.
