Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival

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

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

People of all ages are welcome at all activities!

Kids' Crafts and Activities (location and time to be determined)
Take part in FREE hands-on activities that help kids learn about astronomy and unleash their creativity.

Rocket Building and Launching at Chimney Park in Medora (time to be determined)
Build, paint, and launch a rocket! Rocket kits are $10.

Solar Viewing (location and time to be determined)
Have you ever seen a sunspot? Safely view the sun (and its spots!) through telescopes and by other means.

Solar System Hikes (location and time to be determined)
Start at the Sun and hike your way to Neptune. (Sorry, Pluto!) Learn about the planets in our solar system as you walk. Distance: 0.5 mile Difficulty: Easy

 

Featured Presentations

Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Each night of the festival, a guest speaker offers their unique take on the night sky.

 

The telescope field at Peaceful Valley Ranch offers fantastic stargazing!

Stargazing and Telescopes

Friday, Saturday & Sunday at Peaceful Valley Ranch from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Join astronomers and rangers under the stars. Rove from telescope to telescope, each trained on a unique space object, while you listen to stories of night sky science and mythology.
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.