Header See The Dark Amc 100 Mile Wilderness Jamie Malcolm Brown 2

Get Ready to See the Dark

The dark gets a bad rap. Some are afraid of it. Many more do everything they can to cast it out.

With 99% of the U.S. population living under skies obscured by light pollution, few get to experience the true wonder of the night sky. Some may think it is only visible in some far-off place. Some may think it is something from the past. The truth is that many people are in the dark about, well, the dark. And these aren't just metaphors.

AMC's See the Dark project is seeking to change that.

J Walter Participants enjoying the See the Dark Festival at Medawisla in the Maine Woods.

See the Dark Festival

October 12 - 19, 2025

Join the Appalachian Mountain Club for the 4th Annual See the Dark Festival. This is a multi-day event at AMC's Medawisla lodge is scheduled around the new moon for optimal stargazing. Enjoy star-themed dinners and desserts, plus expert presentations from astronomers, scientists, musicians, and artists.

Feel free to join us for as many days as you wish; attendance for the entire week is not required.

Learn more

Dark Sky Resources

Silhouettes of two people stargazing under the milky way.
Stars in Our Eyes: AMC’s 2025 Skygazing Guide, Part 1

We’ll be the first to admit we’re a bit starry-eyed. From Virginia to Maine, you can often find us outside with our heads tilted up, trying to get a...

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April 10, 2021. Maine Woods, Maine Photo By Jamie Malcolm Brown.
How to Protect the Night Sky 

Light pollution is a widespread problem that is associated with many threats to human health and the environment, from disrupted circadian rhythms and insomnia to habitat destruction. Many environmental...

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AMC Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park
What Is a Dark Sky? 

When you look at the sky at night, what do you see? Until a few generations ago, people everywhere saw the same thing. A sky filled with stars, planets,...

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view of the dark skies in Maine Woods
See the Dark: Exploring Maine’s International Dark Sky Park

One of the best-kept secrets of our Maine Woods destinations is the incredible stargazing opportunities that exist due to its exceptional dark skies. This region is one of the...

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Dark Skies of the United States
Preserving the Dark Skies of the Maine Woods

  AMC’s Maine Woods holds a unique role in the preservation of night sky—nestled within a more secluded part of northern Maine, it’s in the heart of one of few remaining...

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Reid Gilman Landscapesandnature Milky Way Wpy H E1625089279624
Stargazing: How and Where to Go to See the Stars

From his backyard in Augusta, Maine, astronomer Jon Silverman can look into the night sky and see light emitted from stars hundreds, thousands, even millions of years ago. Anyone can....

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Dark Sky Classroom Program for Educators

J Walter Telescope viewing of the International Dark Sky Park

As part of AMC's “See the Dark” initiative, we have worked with educators to develop an easy-to-implement, three-day mini-unit to help students learn about light pollution and the benefit of dark skies.

The program is designed to be turn-key, fun, and educational. It is based on NGSS standards and designed to introduce students to light pollution, the negative effects it can have on living things, and possible solutions. It is a three-day unit with each day consisting of a 60-minute class period. Times can be adjusted to meet school-specific needs.

Educators Guide Student Notebook

Celestial-Inspired Books & Gear

Support Our Conservation Work

Help support AMC’s conservation work in Maine to protect forests, water, land, and dark skies in the region.

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🌌 Now available in the AMC Store: If You Can See The Dark – AMC’s first children’s book celebrating the magic of dark skies for nature and beyond. 🌙✨

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Federal staffing cuts threaten our parks, trails, and forests. AMC is advocating for stronger protections—help us defend public lands before it’s too late.

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