Bryce Canyon National Park

In Bryce Canyon National Park, visitors can see up to 7,500 stars on a moonless night. As stargazers look at the sky, the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon. While in Bryce Canyon stargazing, visitors not only get to be among the stars, but some planets as well, including Venus and Jupiter, which can be seen shining brightly enough to cast a shadow.

On August 13, 2019, Bryce Canyon National Park received certification as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) from the International Dark-Sky Association and National Park Service.

This certification recognizes Bryce Canyon as a Gold Tier Dark-Sky Park indicating the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies. With this award, the park becomes one of over 120 certified IDSPs in the world. As one of the first parks to offer night sky programs 50 years ago, this achievement took decades to achieve and continues a long tradition of dark sky advocacy, education, and conservation.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Kodachrome Basin State Park has clear, beautiful night skies. “The night skies over here are some of the best I’ve seen,” said Prajit Ravindran, who has a passion for astrophotography. Night photography along with wildlife watching, camping, and hiking are perfect activities in the park, with the sandstone, sandpipe columns as a backdrop.

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is a large, remote monument, making it a great place for campers to experience the night sky. Visitors have an opportunity to stay in campgrounds or primitive camping locations and sleep under the stars, to create a memorable Bryce Canyon stargazing experience.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is the seventh unit of the National Park Service to become an International Dark Sky Park designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. Being labeled a “Gold Tier” park signifies the highest-quality night skies. With Capitol Reef just a short drive from Bryce Canyon, this makes for a perfect Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon stargazing getaway!

Stargazing Tours And Programs

Observe the nighttime scene with hoodoo silhouetted by the Milky Way when you participate in Bryce Canyon Country’s stargazing tours and programs.

Private Tour Companies help you explore the sky with big telescopes in the darkest places. Watch live multimedia presentations, learn constellations in laser sky tours or join a full moon hike.

Bryce Canyon National Park has staff, rangers, and volunteers qualified for detailed presentations that occur on Wednesday and Friday evenings from May through September. These astronomy programs are usually a short presentation followed by stargazing with telescopes. No reservations are required, but it is advised to arrive 15-30 minutes early. Ranger-guided full moon hikes are an exciting way to experience the park and its stunning sky. Full moon hiking spots are limited and last 1-2 miles or 2-3 hours.

Another highlight during the summer in Bryce Canyon is the Astronomy Festival, which celebrates the new moon in late June or early July each year. During the festival, rangers conduct more nightly presentations and night hikes. Experts also lead telescope-viewing sessions throughout the festival. Other star-related events in the park are programs and workshops focusing on topics including selecting and operating telescopes and involving the entire family in astronomy.

Kodachrome Basin State Park hosts star parties throughout the summer where the park manager guides you through a constellation tour. In the tour, learn about the planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial phenomena. For updated information, please check the park’s website. Bryce Canyon Stargazing or Dark Ranger Telescope Tours will take you on a tour of the wonders of the Universe through their BIG telescopes in the darkest/best stargazing location in the USA. Watch live multimedia presentations about astronomy and nocturnal animals. Learn constellation stories during laser sky tours. Build and launch model rockets. Join a full moon hike.