Here in Lincoln County, dark skies are a year-round treasure, and there’s a new way to celebrate them. 

The Lincoln County Authority of Tourism and Nevada State Parks have announced the Dark Skies Photo Contest, inviting photographers of all skill levels to capture the wonder of our nighttime skies.

The contest will open May 26, Memorial Day, and run through Sept. 1, Labor Day.

Participants may enter in one of five themed categories. The Starry Landscapes category encourages images that showcase the night sky in combination with familiar Lincoln County landmarks, rock formations or natural scenes. The Astrophotography category is for close-up or artistic shots of celestial objects like the Milky Way, star trails or planets. Nighttime Experiences is a lifestyle-focused category featuring people interacting with the night sky, whether that means camping, stargazing, hiking or enjoying other nighttime adventures. The Youth category is open to photographers age 18 and under, with parental permission required for those under 18. A fifth category is open only to attendees of the Lincoln County Photo Festival, taking place Sept. 19-21. Submissions for this special category must be taken during the festival in Lincoln County, and specific instructions will be provided to registered participants.

All photos must have been taken, at any time, in Lincoln County, and AI-generated images will not be accepted. Minor edits such as exposure, contrast and cropping are allowed. By submitting, photographers grant non-exclusive rights to use their photo for promotional purposes, with credit. One photo may be submitted per category, and only one photo per email.

To enter, participants should email their high-resolution image to krsp@parks.nv.gov with the subject line “LC Dark Skies 25.” The email must include the entrant’s name, photo title, location where the photo was taken, category, photo year and a brief description of the image.

This summer brings multiple opportunities to photograph Lincoln County’s pristine skies, including the highly anticipated Perseid meteor shower in mid-August. Whether you’re capturing a dramatic nightscape, photographing celestial detail or simply chronicling your family’s starlit adventure, the contest is a perfect way to engage with the beauty of Nevada’s rural skies.

Organizers hope this contest will be yet another step toward building a local community of dark skies advocates. Through growing interest in night sky photography, the goal is to encourage participation in future dark skies conservation efforts, connect participants and potential guides with opportunities for night sky tours and events and strengthen Lincoln County’s reputation as a dark skies destination for residents and visitors alike.

Judging updates and winner announcements will be shared throughout the summer. Winners will be announced during a dark skies event at Kershaw-Ryan State Park in the fall. For full contest details, visit lincolncountynevada.com/dark-skies.

The contest was first announced during International Dark Sky Week, held last month from April 21 to 28, a global celebration of the beauty and value of natural night skies. First launched in 2003, the event helps raise awareness about light pollution and encourages communities to protect and enjoy the stars above.