Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival

Stargazing is one of the many activities offered by the park during the festival.

September 7-9, 2018

Join astronomers, rangers, and historians as they come together for a three-day festival celebrating North Dakota's starry nights and rich heritage! Stand under the expansive night sky that influenced cultures of American Indian tribes, inspired modern space exploration, and is still yours to experience today!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Historic Medora welcome you to evenings of star viewing,special presentations, rocket building and launching, children's activities, and much more as we celebrate Dakota Nights!

Most activities are included with your park entry fee, except when otherwise noted.

 

Daytime Activities - Saturday & Sunday

Discovery Dome Theater 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Immerse yourself in films about outer space, planets, stars, and black holes! Films are shown in the full-dome theater on the hour from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Kids' Crafts and Activities 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Take part in FREE hands-on activities that help kids learn about astronomy and unleash their creativity.

Rocket Building and Launching 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Build, paint, and launch a rocket at Chimney Park in Medora. Rocket kits are $10.

Solar Viewing 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Have you ever seen a sunspot? Safely view the sun (and its spots!) through telescopes and by other means at De Mores Park in Medora.

Solar System Hikes 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm
Start at the Sun and hike your way to Neptune. (Sorry, Pluto!) Learn about the planets in our solar system as you walk. Hikes begin at De Mores Park in Medora. Distance: 0.5 mile Difficulty: Easy

Featured Presentations

8:00 pm, Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater
Speakers and topics to be announced.

Stargazing and Telescopes

Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9:00 pm
Get an up-close look at stars, star clusters, and planets in the telescope field at Peaceful Valley Ranch. Listen as astronomers and rangers share stories about the night sky.
Preserve your night vision! Get the most out of your experience and protect the night vision of others by leaving flashlights, cell phones, and all other light-emitting devices behind.