Øvre Pasvik National Park is Norway's first certified international dark cloud site and is located in the Pasvik Valley approximately 100 km south of Kirkenes in the far northeast of Norway, Sør-Varanger municipality in Troms and Finnmark county.
Due to its northern latitude of 69 degrees, the park offers unique opportunities for stargazing during the two-month period when the sun does not rise above the horizon. This is also favorable for observing the Northern Lights from late August to April. In addition, Øvre Pasvik National Park's high latitude prevents frequent air traffic, providing a night sky free of artificial light.
The public can visit both the Øvre Pasvik National Park visitor center at NIBIO Svanhovd and a visitor point at Gjøken, closer to the national park. For winter visits, visitors are strongly advised to prepare for a harsh environment with temperatures down to minus 30 degrees Celsius or colder.