Night Sky & Astronomy Programs

Adjusting telescope at Night Sky Program
Night Sky Program in RMNP

NPS

 

Half the Park is After Dark - Explore Wonders of the Night Sky!

Astronomy in the Park

Join us at Upper Beaver Meadows Parking Area beginning at 8:30 p.m. for an evening under the stars. The evening kicks off with a ranger-led program, then a team of NPS volunteer astronomers will have telescopes set up. Participants are invited use telescopes and look at different features of the night sky.

  • Friday, July 26
  • Friday, August 30

How to Get There:

To get to Upper Beaver Meadows Parking Area, turn onto Upper Beaver Meadows Road, located 0.8 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Proceed down the dirt road 2 miles to the parking area at the end of the road, near Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead.

Where to Park?

Parking is available on the meadow side of the road and in the Upper Beaver Meadows Trailhead Parking Area. Please park with headlights facing out. Do not park on vegetation. You may need to walk a short distance to the event location.

NPS Volunteers and staff with be available to assist.

  • During the program, dim your headlights when dropping off or picking up passengers.
 
2024 Astronomy Festival Flyer

NPS

Learn More about Our Sun, the Moon, and the Night Sky During Rocky Mountain National Park's 2024 Astronomy Festival!

Join RMNP staff, NPS volunteers, and special guest presenters on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 for Rocky Mountain National Park's Astronomy Festival!

There will be fun, interactive activities and engaging speakers hosted on both the east and west sides of the park. Click below to see scheduled afternoon activities, guest speakers and locations, and for details on telescope viewing activities.

There will be something for everyone to enjoy!

 
Map of RMNP showing where different activities will take place

NPS

Where are Different Activities Happening? Check out the Astronomy Festival Map!

Click on top of the map image to enlarge

 
Telescopes are lined up in a meadow in late afternoon
Fun & Interactive Afternoon Activities

Learn about the sun, moon and stars through a variety of fun activities for all ages.

Dr. Lei-Wei Hung is standing in front of an alpine lake
Evening Presentations

As part of Rocky Mountain National Park's Astronomy Festival, several guest speakers will share free presentations open to the public.

A park visitor is looking into a telescope to see the night sky.
Telescope Viewing Activities

Use telescopes and enjoy looking at our moon, stars, and more on both the east and west sides of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Last updated: July 25, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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