Night Skies in Southern Utah

Southern Utah is known world-wide for its abundance of dark sky areas. In fact, southern Utah has the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Places in the world. International Dark Sky Places use responsible light policies to preserve dark locations. These places can be communities, parks, reserves, or sanctuaries. For all practical purposes, it means that places that have received this distinction are great locations for night photography, astrophotography, and general stargazing. We've listed a few of our favorite locations that are relatively close to us. For more information, give us a call. We'd love to hear from you.

Goblin Valley State Park

Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily
Contact: 435-275-4584

Located just inside the San Rafael Swell, Goblin Valley does not attract the traffic other parks do. However, it's one of the best locations in the world for viewing the Milky Way. The park is officially designated as an International Dark Sky Park. It also has a ranger-led nighttime program each month. Almost any place in Goblin Valley is great for stargazing, astrophotography, and general night photography. And the numerous hoodoos guarantee you'll always have an interesting foreground in your photos.

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Capitol Reef National Park

Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Contact: 435-425-3791

Capitol Reef National Park is designated an International Dark Sky Park. This is one of the best locations in the country to view the Milky Way. And, this is true in the winter and the summer. In addition, Capitol Reef's extremely dry, transparent air means that atmospheric extinction is unusually low; that is, starlight doesn't lose much of its brightness as it passes through the atmosphere. If you're interested, nighttime public programs are available through a partnership with the park and the National Park Service Night Sky Team. Locations recommendations include Chimney Rock Trailhead, Sunset Point, and Cathedral Valley.

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Kodachrome Basin State Park

Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Daily
Contact: 435-679-8562

Kodachrome Basin State Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park recently. You'll normally find much smaller crowds here than at the larger national parks. Here, you can join "constellation tours" hosted by the park rangers. The tour also includes using a powerful telescope to view distant stars.

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Bryce Canyon National Park

Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Contact: 435-834-5322

Bryce Canyon National Park is probably the ultimate place to view the night sky in Utah. Park rangers and volunteer astronomers make sure that Bryce Canyon remains a pristine environment for astrophotography, night photography, and general stargazing. Bryce Canyon is designated as an International Dark Sky location. It's considered one of the best places anywhere for viewing the Milky Way. The high altitude and clean, dry air means you can see 2.2 million light years out on a clear night. If you're visiting in early June, you'll definitely want to check out the Astronomy Festival. The festival has daytime activities suitable for the entire family and constellation tours later in the evening.

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Fremont Indian State Park

Contact: 435-527-4631

Fremont Indian State Park recently became designated as an International Dark Sky Park. The park holds a Dark Sky Event and Stargazing gathering in July, conditions permitting. Visitors will learn the steps the park is taking to preserve the fantastic views of night skies in the area.

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Torrey, Utah

Contact: 435-425-3600

The town of Torrey, Utah, the entryway to Capitol Reef National Park, is actually designated an International Dark Sky Community. The residents make a point of minimizing light pollution with outdoor lighting ordinances and the use of dark-sky compliant outdoor lighting. The result is minimal light pollution and beautiful night skies.

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For more information on Southern Utah's Dark Sky Places, give us a call.

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