SUN VALLEY. DarkSky International has certified Sun Valley Resort through its DarkSky Approved Lodging and Resorts program, making it the first resort in the United States to earn the designation. The program, which recognizes accommodations meeting high standards in responsible outdoor lighting, was founded in 2023.
As part of the certification, the resort demonstrated compliance with DarkSky standards on responsible outdoor lighting, habitat protection, and public education around the effects of light pollution.
The designation sits naturally beside the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the internationally recognized reserve near the resort, where low levels of artificial light create what DarkSky calls ideal conditions for stargazing.
Where to look up
The announcement names several stargazing locations: the Bald Mountain summit at the Roundhouse, above the valley light dome; the Trail Creek Cabin area; Dollar Mountain Lodge; the resort village, including the Pavilion lawn, the Whitecloud trail system, and the Hemingway Memorial area; and Galena Summit, about 30 miles north within the dark sky reserve.
The resort says it plans to expand its dark sky programming with guided stargazing experiences, astronomy-focused events, wellness offerings, and educational initiatives centered on preserving the nighttime environment.
