Last updated: February 29, 2024
Thing to Do
Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah
Explore the night sky with a ranger in southeast Utah! Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments occasionally offer ranger-led stargazing programs spring through fall. Check out program details below. Bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, a red flashlight (if you have one), and warm clothes.
Can't make it for a ranger-led stargazing program? Don't worry! All the parks offer incredible night skies and excellent places to stargaze on your own.
Ranger-led Stargazing Programs
Annual Southeast Utah AstroFest
Attention stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts, and celestial explorers! Get ready to embark on a journey through the cosmos at the annual Southeast Utah AstroFest! This festival happens each summer under vast skies of Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. This year's festival runs from Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, 2024. Learn more about the event.
Arches National Park
During the spring and fall, Arches rangers sometimes team up with rangers from Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky district and Dead Horse Point State Park to introduce visitors to the wonders of the night sky. Programs rotate among the three parks and may occur around the new moon. A ranger program is typically followed by stargazing and telescope viewing. Programs at Arches begin at either the visitor center or Panorama Point. Check at the visitor center for details. Programs will take place in good weather or bad.
Canyonlands National Park
Island in the Sky
During the spring and fall, Island in the Sky district rangers sometimes team up with rangers from Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park to introduce visitors to the wonders of the night sky. Locations will rotate among the three parks and the start time will vary with the time of sunset. Programs at Island in the Sky begin at Grand View Point. Check at the visitor center for details. A ranger program is typically followed by stargazing and telescope viewing. Programs will take place in good weather or bad.
The Needles
Stargazing events at The Needles district occur occasionally in spring and fall. They include a night sky program, followed by a constellation tour or telescope viewing. Programs begin at The Needles Visitor Center. Start times will vary based on the time of sunset. Programs will take place in good weather or bad.
The Maze
Stargazing events at The Maze district occur occasionally in spring and fall. Programs will take place in good weather or bad.
Hovenweep National Monument
Rangers offer occasional stargazing programs at Hovenweep National Monument. Programs begin at the visitor center.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Rangers offer occasional stargazing programs at Natural Bridges National Monument. Programs begin at the visitor center.
Details
Duration
1-3 Hours
Activity
Stargazing
Pets Allowed
No
Rules about pets in parks vary. Check with each park on stargazing locations and whether pets are allowed.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Locations Vary
Rangers offer stargazing programs at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Natural Bridges National Monument. Rangers may also assist at stargazing programs at Dead Horse Point State Park. Check at park visitor centers for details.
Reservations
No
Season
Summer
Time of Day
Night
Accessibility Information
Stargazing programs are usually held in parking lots and paved areas that are accessible to wheelchairs.
Programs take place in low-light conditions.
Service animals are welcome. What is a service animal?
NPS/Chris Wonderly