Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Celebrates Dark Night Skies with Astronomy Festival

Date: June 2, 2017
Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 970-641-2337, ext. 227

Montrose, CO: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, in partnership with the Black Canyon Astronomical Society, will be celebrating the starlit skies of Western Colorado with their 8th annual Astronomy Festival June 21-24, 2017. Black Canyon was designated as an International Dark Sky Park in September of 2015 – one of a small number of NPS sites that are recognized for exceptional dark skies that are perfect for star gazing. 

There will be daytime as well as evening programs, with solar viewing, bat programs, and night sky viewing with telescopes. Several keynote speakers will highlight the festival in 2017. For a full schedule, http://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/calendar.htm  

All programs are free. The park entrance fee, good for 7 days, is $15.00. Parking is available at the South Rim Visitor Center for day programs and the South Rim Campground for evening programs and night sky viewing.  Parking is limited – carpooling is encouraged. 

Join us to experience the park’s beautiful starry skies!