The park was the first location in Michigan to receive official International Dark Sky Park designation.
Dr. T.K. Lawless, the namesake, was a pioneering Black dermatologist who used this land as a retreat for his family and friends.
The property contains a memorial statue dedicated to the park's benefactor.
The park's location in rural Jones, Michigan, was chosen specifically for its low levels of artificial skyglow.
It maintains a specific 'Dark Sky' lighting ordinance to ensure the park's atmosphere remains conducive to stargazing.
Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park is a 820-acre recreational site located in Cass County, Michigan, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association due to its exceptional nighttime visibility. The park offers over 7 miles of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing across diverse terrain, including woods and meadows. It features a dedicated viewing area specifically designed for stargazers to minimize light pollution while observing the celestial bodies. The site was named after Dr. T.K. Lawless, a renowned dermatologist who donated the land to the county. The property contains a mix of open fields, rolling hills, and mature forests, providing varied natural habitats. It serves as an educational resource for astronomy enthusiasts and amateur astronomers throughout the Midwest. Visitors can access primitive restroom facilities and picnic areas throughout the park grounds.
The main viewing field, which offers an unobstructed 360-degree horizon perfect for long-exposure astrophotography.
Bring a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision while navigating to the viewing area.
Check the local moon phase calendar before visiting to ensure the darkest possible sky conditions.
Download a stargazing app to help identify constellations and planets visible in the Michigan night sky.
Do not use flash photography at night as it ruins the dark-adapted vision of fellow astronomers.
Use only red lights; no white lights allowed after dark. Keep noise to a minimum near the viewing field. Pack out all trash.
