The Great Texas Wildlife Trails are your guide to wildlife viewing by day and your map to the stars by night! 

Stargazing can be a great way to make us feel connected even when we're physically apart. Observing celestial events, the moon and stars can be a shared experience with people from miles away. If you're looking for an outdoor adventure that keeps you out of the hot Texas sun, get outside after dark and look up to the sky! Texas is home to several official International Dark Sky Association (IDA) communities and parks across the state. 

Plan your night sky adventure soon to see some awe inspiring celestial events, including the Perseid meteor shower, visible planets and more!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to practice social distancing and wear cloth masks when visiting public spaces, even in the outdoors. Stay up-to-date on temporary closures of TPWD facilities due to COVID-19. Please follow guidance from local authorities, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Dark Sky Communities

These Texas towns are on or near Great Texas Wildlife Trails loops and are recognized as official IDA International Dark Sky Communities. These communities are dedicated to the preservation of the night sky and promote responsible lighting. 

• The Wimberley Valley, home to the city of Wimberley and namesake of the Wimberley Loop, is in Hays County and has added a proactive campaign to improve the quality of its outdoor lighting.
  
  
• Dripping Springs, also in Hays County, is on the Capitol Loop and is known as the "gateway to the hill country."
  
  
• Fredericksburg is on the Peach Loop in Gillespie County and is well known for its wineries and German heritage. 
  
  
• Horseshoe Bay is further west in the Hill Country, along the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, and is close to the Stone Bluffs and Balcones Loops.
  
  
• Lakewood Village is in Denton County near Lake Lewisville and the Lake Lavon Loop.

Dark Sky Sites and Trail Loops

There are locations throughout Texas that are great for viewing the skies at night, according to the Bortle Scale. The Scale rates how well you can see celestial objects in a certain place, taking into account the light pollution of the area. The rating scale is from 1-9, with lower numbers indicating darker skies. Visit our Bortle Scale Ratings page and Dark Skies Program to learn more and find parks near you.

Far West Texas Wildlife Trail

• Drive the Big Bend Loop and enjoy some of the darkest skies in Texas. You could even take a moonlight tour of the hoodoos at Big Bend Ranch State Park, an official IDA Dark Sky Park.
  
  
• Visit the Davis Mountains Loop for some truly breathtaking nighttime views.
  
  

Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail

• Copper Breaks State Park, on the Comanche Loop. is a designated IDA Dark Sky Park and is hosting a virtual starwalk, Under the Texas Night Sky: The North Star and Circumpolar Constellations on Friday, August 7 at 8pm.
  
  
• Just Northwest of the Comanche Loop is the Canyon Loop. Several sites here offer incredible night views, such as Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway.
  
  

Prairies and Pineywoods West and East Wildlife Trails 

• Drive the Big Woods Loop to sites Fort Boggy State Park, Fairfield Lake State Park and Fort Parker State Park which all rate 4 or 4.5 on the Bortle Scale.
  
  
• Enjoy the peace of the pineywoods at Mission Tejas State Park on the Davy Crockett Loop, at the north end of the Davy Crockett National Forest.

Heart of Texas West and East Wildlife Trails

• Take the Rio Bravo Loop to Devil’s River State Natural Area (an official IDA site) or Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site.
  
  
• Canyon of the Eagles nature resort, on the Stone Bluffs Loop, features its own Eagle Eye Observatory for guests and visitors.
  
  
• The Bandera Loop offers beautiful scenery and many great sites to stargaze, such as Lost Maples State Natural Area and Hill Country State Natural Area. 
  
  
• For some truly dark sky sites, take the Nueces Loop to sites such as Kickapoo Cavern State Park and Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area. Both rate 2 on the Bortle Scale.
  
  

The Upper Texas Coast, Central Texas Coast and Lower Texas Coast of The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail 

• Brazos Bend State Park is on the Brazoria Loop, southwest of Houston, and is home to the George Observatory.
  
  
• Choke Canyon State Park is a Bortle class 4 park located on the Brush Country Loop.
  
  
• Resaca de la Palma State Park on the Las Palomas Loop in South Texas hosts the Dr. Cristina V. Torres Memorial Astronomical Observatory for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Texas Parks and Wildlife gratefully acknowledges the support of: