Why this Wyoming canyon turned off its lights and never turned them back on

Sinks Canyon’s Four-Year Journey to Dark Sky Recognition

Sinks Canyon State Park began a quest in 2019 that no Wyoming park had tried before.

Staff first took stock of every light in the park, then spent two years swapping old fixtures for new shielded ones with motion sensors.

Meanwhile, the Sinks Canyon Conservancy pitched in funds while staff built demo displays showing why dark skies matter.

By 2022, Superintendent Jessica Moore was knee-deep in a sixty-page application, working with Lander city officials and community groups.

Their hard work paid off on November 20, 2023, when the park earned Wyoming’s first International Dark Sky Park title.

The night sky above Sinks Canyon now awaits your visit, where stars shine brighter than anywhere else in the state.

Park Staff Started a Starry Mission in 2019

In 2019, Sinks Canyon State Park staff took on a challenge no Wyoming park had tried before. They wanted to earn the International Dark Sky Park title.

The team knew they faced a four-year job that would change how the park handled its lighting.

They wanted to protect the night for local wildlife and create a place where visitors could see truly dark skies away from city lights.

Counting Every Light Bulb in the Park

The real work began in 2020 when park staff counted every outdoor light. Workers walked around writing down every fixture, noting which ones sent light into the night sky.

They mapped all sources of light pollution in the park.

This counting job wasn’t fun, but it showed exactly what needed changing and how big the project would be. The list became their plan for the next steps.

Two Years of Swapping Out Light Fixtures

From 2020 to 2022, park crews replaced all the old lighting. They put in new dark-sky friendly lights that pointed downward instead of up into the sky.

The new fixtures had motion sensors that kept them off when nobody was around. Workers climbed ladders, ran new wiring, and put up fixtures throughout the park.

The changes made the park much darker after sunset.

Local Conservation Group Opened Their Wallet

The Sinks Canyon Conservancy helped the park by buying many of the new light fixtures. This local group had backed many park programs before, but this was their biggest money help yet.

Their support meant the park didn’t have to wait for state money to approve the lighting upgrades. The teamwork showed how community groups can make nature goals happen faster.

Showing Off the New Lights to Visitors

Park staff built a display at the visitor center where guests could see how dark-sky friendly lighting works. The setup showed examples of the new covered fixtures with motion sensors used throughout the park.

Colorful signs explained why the park changed its lighting and how it helps protect the night. This display helped daytime visitors understand changes they might not notice during their stay.

Night Hikes Under Starry Skies Began

With darker nights came new visitor programs. Staff created evening activities about what you can see in truly dark skies.

They led night walks pointing out night bugs that do better without light pollution.

Rangers gave star tours in 2022 and 2023, helping visitors spot stars, planets, and galaxies normally hidden by city lights. These programs gave people reasons to stay in the park after sunset.

Sixty Pages of Paperwork Sealed the Deal

In 2022, park boss Jessica Moore wrote the official application.

What started as a simple form grew into nearly sixty pages covering every part of the park’s dark sky work. Moore gathered data, photos, and details about the lighting changes.

She sent in the first complete draft in early 2023, showing years of physical work and planning. The thick application told the story of the park’s changes in great detail.

Lander City Officials Joined the Conversation

Success meant looking beyond park borders. Staff asked community groups for letters supporting the application.

They met with Lander city officials to talk about how town lighting affected the canyon’s night sky. These talks covered the “light dome” from the nearby city and ways to cut its impact.

Building these ties created awareness about light pollution across the region.

Wyoming Finally Got Its First Dark Sky Park

The big news came on November 20, 2023, when DarkSky International named Sinks Canyon as Wyoming’s first International Dark Sky Park. The announcement ended four years of planning, working, and waiting.

Park staff celebrated putting Wyoming on the dark sky map for the first time. The title recognized the complete change in how the park handled its lighting.

The Work Continues Under Starlit Skies

Earning the title was just the start of the park’s dark sky journey. Staff now must send in yearly reports to keep their standing.

The park promised to host at least four night sky events each year. Rangers check lighting rules throughout the park and track any changes.

This ongoing work ensures the dark sky protection continues far into the future.

Stars Now Draw Tourists Year-Round

The dark sky designation created a new type of tourism for the park. Astronomy enthusiasts now plan trips specifically to view the exceptional night skies.

Wildlife benefits from more natural day-night cycles without artificial light disruption. Other Wyoming parks have started asking Sinks Canyon staff for advice on beginning their own dark sky journeys.

The project created a blueprint for conservation success that combines infrastructure changes, education, and community involvement to protect one of Wyoming’s most overlooked resources – its dark night skies.

Visiting Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming

Sinks Canyon State Park at 3018 Sinks Canyon Road became Wyoming’s first International Dark Sky Park in 2023 after a four-year conservation effort.

The 600-acre park is 7 miles southwest of Lander via Highway 131 and offers 24-hour dark sky viewing year-round. You can join constellation tours, astrophotography sessions, and nocturnal animal talks.

Camp at Sawmill or Popo Agie Campgrounds with reservations through reserve.wyoming.gov. The visitor center opens 9am-6pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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