Southern Oregon, the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, just expanded its bragging rights.

The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve in the southwest Siskiyou Mountains has been certified as an International Dark Sky destination after a multiyear effort by National Park Service staff to improve natural darkness and reduce light pollution.

Stargazers craving a clear look into the cosmos and a stellar spot to watch a meteor shower have even more to celebrate after March’s announcement that dark sky preservation organization DarkSky International qualified the Oregon Outback, in the state’s southeast corner, as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. That sanctuary, with 2.5 million-acres of public and private land, is expected to someday grow to 11.4 million acres.

The 4,554-acre Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is a sprawling system of marble caves and beautiful formations beneath the Siskiyou Mountains. Protected within the monument are old growth forests, subalpine meadows, glacial cirques and alpine rock gardens, through which snow-fed streams flow and sink underground into the cave systems. These sinking streams feed the River Styx, the only subterranean Wild and Scenic River in the nation, that winds through the cave system and out into Cave Creek, according to the National Park Service

The Oregon Cave park staff established its first night sky monitoring program to track changes to the night sky over a three-year period and conducted other work to earn its Dark Sky status.

“We are excited to join the dark sky community and to do our part in preserving dark skies across Oregon and the National Park Service” said park superintendent Jeremy Curtis in a news release.

Dr. Joshua Zimmt, who led the application process, said in the announcement that the brilliance of the night sky at Oregon Caves, “even if viewed from small clearings throughout the forest, provides an incredible and immersive experience that will inspire visitors of all ages.”

Partnerships formed with nearby communities will be made with the hopes of protecting and preserving the natural and historical character of the park and region for future generations to come, according to the announcement.

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is the 46th site administered by the National Park Service into the International Dark Sky Places Program.

“This achievement demonstrates a commitment to dark sky preservation and offers visitors a unique blend of natural and celestial experiences, highlighting conservation and community engagement,” stated Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Places Program Manager, in the news release.

There also is an effort underway to gain Dark Sky certified status for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Oregon has two other Dark Sky areas. One is the Prineville Reservoir State Park in Crook County, certified in 2021. The other is the town of Sunriver in Deschutes County, which was certified in 2020. Certification is subject to regular reviews of lighting, outreach, education and night sky quality monitoring. A pre-application process is required. Dark Sky’s website lists certification time as from one to three years.