When you look up at the night sky, what do you see? If you live in one of Utah’s cities or larger towns, you probably see some stars…but you also have no idea what you’re missing. Get out and away from civilization, where light pollution makes it difficult to see all the stars, and you’ll be amazed at the thousands of twinkling stars in the heavens above.
The International Dark-Sky Association designates Dark Sky Parks around the globe. These special places are typically remote, and have incredible starry nights. Each park is also protected in some way that will maintain its natural beauty, and is open for public enjoyment. With 15 International Dark Sky Parks, Utah has the highest concentration in the world, and they all have stunning scenery by day and incredible stargazing at night.
- Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park/Facebook You don’t have to drive far from Salt Lake City to find this Dark Sky Park. During the day, check out the bison herd as well as pronghorn and other wildlife. At night, the sky fills with stars over the salty lake.
- Arches National Park
Rason Corneveaux/Moment Collection/via Getty Images Everyone loves Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch, and it’s just as beautiful as part of the starry landscape. Arches also offers a ranger-led stargazing program you won’t want to miss.
- Bryce Canyon National Park
Jon Hicks/Stone/Getty Images Bryce Canyon’s spires and hoodoos are stunning all times of the day, so bring your camera and spend some time taking photos. Stay up late to capture the beauty in the skies, too.
- Canyonlands National Park
Brad McGinley Photography/Moment Open Collection/via Getty Images With 527 square miles of natural beauty, Canyonlands is a true treasure. It’s also incredibly remote, so the skies fill with stars and the Milky Way is often visible here.
- Capitol Reef National Park
tomwachs/iStock/Getty Images Capitol Reef National Park is a gem that’s full of rock formations and wild, open spaces. At night, the starry sky adds to the splendor.
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
National Park Service Cedar Breaks National Monument is an overlooked gem in Southern Utah. Its terrain is much like that of Bryce Canyon National Park, but without the crowds.
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park/Facebook Dead Horse Point State Park was Utah’s first state park to earn status as an International Dark Sky Park, and you can see how it got its designation. From spring through fall, the park hosts tons of telescope programs and guided night hikes.
- Dinosaur National Monument
National Park System Situated on the border of Utah and Colorado, a visit to Dinosaur National Monument is like stepping back in time millions of years. During the day, check out the rock formations and dinosaur remains. At night, be prepared to see a sky that’s as dark as the dinosaurs would have seen.
- Goblin Valley State Park
Somewhere Down The Road/500px Plus/Getty Images Goblin Valley’s landscape looks like something from another planet, and is often the site for filming movies about outer space. It makes perfect sense that the sky above this strange-but-beautiful terrain would also feature a brilliant star show.
- Hovenweep National Monument
NPS/Jacob W. Frank The word ‘hovenweep’ means ‘deserted valley’ in Ute. This place certainly is deserted! You’ll be far from the crowds as you explore the Ancestral Puebloan ruins by day, and gaze at the stars at night.
- Natural Bridges National Monument
James Cap/500px Plus/Getty Images Natural Bridges National Monument has the distinction of being the first Dark Sky Park in the entire world! It has zero light pollution, so bring your camera to capture these starry skies.
- North Fork Park, Ogden Valley
Kenyon Scheid/Google Just a short drive up the canyon from Ogden, you’ll find Ogden Valley. Visit North Fork Park, which recently received a bronze designation as an International Dark Sky Park.
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Fabrizio C./500 px/Getty Images Talk about remote! Rainbow Bridge National Monument can only be accessed from Lake Powell by boat, or with an overnight hike from Navajo Mountain. You’ll likely enjoy solitude at this place, both day and night.
- Steinaker State Park
Steinaker State Park/Facebook Located near Vernal, Steinaker State Park is a remote gem with a large reservoir. It’s nestled right in between Dinosaur National Monument and the Ashley National Forest, so there are acres and acres of protected land with few people to produce light pollution. Play on the lake during the day, and view the heavens at night.
- Torrey, Utah
edb3_16/iStock/Getty Images Torrey is the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, and the town itself has a Dark Sky Park designation. The town’s residents have worked hard to minimize their light pollution, and the result is some breathtaking night skies.
Which of these International Dark Sky Parks have you visited? We’d love to hear about your trip and see your photos in the comments!
Antelope Island State Park/Facebook
You don’t have to drive far from Salt Lake City to find this Dark Sky Park. During the day, check out the bison herd as well as pronghorn and other wildlife. At night, the sky fills with stars over the salty lake.
Rason Corneveaux/Moment Collection/via Getty Images
Everyone loves Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch, and it’s just as beautiful as part of the starry landscape. Arches also offers a ranger-led stargazing program you won’t want to miss.
Jon Hicks/Stone/Getty Images
Bryce Canyon’s spires and hoodoos are stunning all times of the day, so bring your camera and spend some time taking photos. Stay up late to capture the beauty in the skies, too.
Brad McGinley Photography/Moment Open Collection/via Getty Images
With 527 square miles of natural beauty, Canyonlands is a true treasure. It’s also incredibly remote, so the skies fill with stars and the Milky Way is often visible here.
tomwachs/iStock/Getty Images
Capitol Reef National Park is a gem that’s full of rock formations and wild, open spaces. At night, the starry sky adds to the splendor.
National Park Service
Cedar Breaks National Monument is an overlooked gem in Southern Utah. Its terrain is much like that of Bryce Canyon National Park, but without the crowds.
Dead Horse Point State Park/Facebook
Dead Horse Point State Park was Utah’s first state park to earn status as an International Dark Sky Park, and you can see how it got its designation. From spring through fall, the park hosts tons of telescope programs and guided night hikes.
National Park System
Situated on the border of Utah and Colorado, a visit to Dinosaur National Monument is like stepping back in time millions of years. During the day, check out the rock formations and dinosaur remains. At night, be prepared to see a sky that’s as dark as the dinosaurs would have seen.
Somewhere Down The Road/500px Plus/Getty Images
Goblin Valley’s landscape looks like something from another planet, and is often the site for filming movies about outer space. It makes perfect sense that the sky above this strange-but-beautiful terrain would also feature a brilliant star show.
NPS/Jacob W. Frank
The word ‘hovenweep’ means ‘deserted valley’ in Ute. This place certainly is deserted! You’ll be far from the crowds as you explore the Ancestral Puebloan ruins by day, and gaze at the stars at night.
James Cap/500px Plus/Getty Images
Natural Bridges National Monument has the distinction of being the first Dark Sky Park in the entire world! It has zero light pollution, so bring your camera to capture these starry skies.
Kenyon Scheid/Google
Just a short drive up the canyon from Ogden, you’ll find Ogden Valley. Visit North Fork Park, which recently received a bronze designation as an International Dark Sky Park.
Fabrizio C./500 px/Getty Images
Talk about remote! Rainbow Bridge National Monument can only be accessed from Lake Powell by boat, or with an overnight hike from Navajo Mountain. You’ll likely enjoy solitude at this place, both day and night.
Steinaker State Park/Facebook
Located near Vernal, Steinaker State Park is a remote gem with a large reservoir. It’s nestled right in between Dinosaur National Monument and the Ashley National Forest, so there are acres and acres of protected land with few people to produce light pollution. Play on the lake during the day, and view the heavens at night.
edb3_16/iStock/Getty Images
Torrey is the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, and the town itself has a Dark Sky Park designation. The town’s residents have worked hard to minimize their light pollution, and the result is some breathtaking night skies.
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Address: Utah, USA
