Voyageurs Conservancy and northern Minnesota Certified Dark Sky Park receive prestigious award for commitment to preserving and sharing starry views
Voyageurs Conservancy, the park’s official nonprofit partner, is honored to announce that Voyageurs Conservancy and Voyageurs National Park are receiving the 2026 International Dark Sky Place of the Year Award given by DarkSky International. The northern Minnesota national park and the Conservancy are being recognized for their long-term partnership and commitment to dark sky education, outreach and light pollution advocacy through innovative efforts that protect natural ecosystems, human health and our shared connection to a star-filled sky for generations to come.
Through extensive Park After Dark programming, hybrid nationwide classroom initiatives and signature events like Boreal Stargazing Week led by Voyageurs Conservancy, thousands of students and community members from Minnesota and across the country are connected to the wonder of the night sky each year.
Read DarkSky International’s 2026 award announcements here.
Voyageurs National Park protects 218,000 acres of interconnected lakes, ancient rock formations, and boreal forest. With more than a third of the park covered by water, its remote waterways offer expansive views of night skies, where visitors can marvel at meteor showers, the Milky Way and, when conditions align, the northern lights. Certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2020, Voyageurs remains largely undisturbed by light pollution. Together with the neighboring Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park, it forms one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Regions.
Credit: Gordy Lindgren
Voyageurs Conservancy partners with the National Park Service (NPS) on a Dark Sky Initiative that connects people to the wonders of the night sky. Summer Park After Dark programs offer telescope viewing under the stars, while the Virtual Dark Sky Classroom brings Voyageurs’ skies anywhere. The annual Voyageurs Star Party features free astronomy events, canoe outings and guided constellation tours. Each winter, Boreal Stargazing Week brings communities across Minnesota together for free in-person and virtual events, from stargazing and snowshoe hikes to conversations with astronomers.
“This international recognition celebrates our extraordinary partnership with the NPS to protect and share Voyageurs National Park’s night skies, preserve its Dark Sky Park certification and reputation as one of the best places in the United States to experience truly dark skies,” said Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director, Voyageurs Conservancy. “Protecting these pristine night skies safeguards the park’s natural resources for future generations, benefits wildlife, preserves cultural heritage, and creates unforgettable, bucket-list experiences for visitors. I’d like to thank our many volunteers, donors, staff, and regional partners like Starry Skies North and local gateway businesses who make our Dark Sky education and outreach programs possible.”
The public will be invited to join Voyageurs Conservancy in celebrating this honor through a series of special events planned for 2027. Additional details will be announced in the coming months.
Learn more about Voyageurs’ award-winning dark skies, efforts to protect them, park programming, events and more at www.voyageurs.org/darkskies.
Credit: Gordy Lindgren
About Voyageurs National Park and Voyageurs Conservancy
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota’s Certified Dark Sky Park, spans more than 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, wetlands and exposed rock in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the water-based park offers year-round opportunities for adventure and exploration.
Voyageurs Conservancy, the park’s official charitable partner, works with the National Park Service and supporters to preserve, protect and share Voyageurs through conservation, recreation, education and outreach.