Do you enjoy gazing at the starry heavens above? If so, you’re in luck! Utah has ten International Dark Sky Parks — more than any other state in the country. To receive the designation, the International Dark Sky Association must determine that the park has, “exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment.” In other words — at these parks, you’ll basically be able to see tons of stars. While all ten are certainly worthy of long nights of star-gazing, here’s one of our favorites.
Canyonlands National Park covers 337,598 acres and is divided into four districts.
Gary Windust/flickr Located just south of Moab, it’s a magnificent place full of natural beauty, and perfect for a weekend of exploration. One of the best ways to see this park is at night, when the skies fill with thousands of bright, twinkly stars.
Settle into one of the park’s campgrounds so you’ll be able to stay all night.
Rob Lee/flickr Canyonlands National Park has two campgrounds: Willow Flat in the Island in the Sky District, and Squaw Flat in the Needles District. Backcountry camping is also available.
Long before the stars come out, you’ll want to capture the sunset here.
Chao Yen/flickr This place really is a photographer’s dream, but it’s also amazing to just relax and witness Mother Nature’s beauty, too.
When you live in one of Utah’s cities, you may only be able to see 500 stars in the sky because of the light pollution from city lights.
David Kingham/flickr At Canyonlands National Park… you can see as many as 15,000 stars.
The most picturesque parts of the park are even more beautiful at night.
Diana Robinson/flickr Mesa Arch, pictured here, is popular with photographers who line up before dawn to get sunrise shots through the arch. Turns out, the starry sky is just as incredible.
Mesa Arch is an easily-accessible place for photography.
David Kingham/flickr Click here to see our article on the short, easy Mesa Arch Trail.
This shot of the Milky Way over Mesa Arch is absolutely stunning.
Chao Yen/flickr You might think that this shot of the Milky Way is a once-in-a-lifetime photo, but at Canyonlands National Park, it’s just another night of starry grandeur.
While the incredible night sky is breathtaking anywhere in the park, the unique rock formations at Canyonlands make the starry sky even more photogenic.
Keith Cuddeback/flickr Double Arch under the stars is positively spectacular!
The other nine International Dark Sky Parks in Utah are:
Gary Windust/flickr
Located just south of Moab, it’s a magnificent place full of natural beauty, and perfect for a weekend of exploration. One of the best ways to see this park is at night, when the skies fill with thousands of bright, twinkly stars.
Rob Lee/flickr
Canyonlands National Park has two campgrounds: Willow Flat in the Island in the Sky District, and Squaw Flat in the Needles District. Backcountry camping is also available.
Chao Yen/flickr
This place really is a photographer’s dream, but it’s also amazing to just relax and witness Mother Nature’s beauty, too.
David Kingham/flickr
At Canyonlands National Park… you can see as many as 15,000 stars.
Diana Robinson/flickr
Mesa Arch, pictured here, is popular with photographers who line up before dawn to get sunrise shots through the arch. Turns out, the starry sky is just as incredible.
Click here to see our article on the short, easy Mesa Arch Trail.
You might think that this shot of the Milky Way is a once-in-a-lifetime photo, but at Canyonlands National Park, it’s just another night of starry grandeur.
Keith Cuddeback/flickr
Double Arch under the stars is positively spectacular!
- Antelope Island State Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- North Fork Park Ogden Valley
- Steinaker State Park
Which of these parks have you visited at night?
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