A guide to Utah Dark Sky Month events
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Stars above Double Arch in Arches National Park. Photo: Alan Dyer, VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
It's Dark Sky Month in Utah — and International Dark Sky Week everywhere else!
Why it matters: Light pollution is ecologically hazardous, especially to birds that use the moon and stars to navigate and are attracted to city lights instead.
- Utah's views of space also draw tourism.
State of play: Utah has 23 officially-designated "Dark Sky Places," including national and state parks and entire towns.
Lucky us: We don't have far to travel!
- Staying home? Cut out this "Big Dipper star clock" from Snow Canyon State Park, see what's in the sky each night or enjoy this video of sky views from Kodachrome Basin.
- Here are some more events to enjoy the night skies this month.
Wasatch Front
Clark Planetarium: Along with the usual shows and activities, there are two outdoor star parties this month:
- Wheeler Farm, 9pm Friday
- Salt Lake County Flight Park, 9pm April 12
University of Utah: The South Physics Observatory hosts free star parties starting 7pm each Wednesday, with optimal viewing at 8pm.
Stansbury Park Observatory Complex: The Salt Lake Astronomical Star Party starts at 10pm April 20 in Tooele County.
BYU Astronomical Society: Star parties start at 9pm each Friday at the Eyring Science Center observation deck.
- Check out their recs for other viewing spots in Utah County.
Antelope Island: The gift shop has protective glasses for the April 8 solar eclipse.
- Star Party: Join the Ogden Astronomical Society at the White Rock Bay trailhead 6pm April 13 for a glimpse of the sun, followed by telescopic views of the night sky.
- The park website has more tips for stargazing on the island.
Compass Rose Lodge: The Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory offers private "Starwalk Tours" for $20 per adult, $15 per child 12 and younger.
Southern Utah
Canyonlands National Park: Night sky programs start at 8:30pm on April 3 and 6 at the Green River Overlook, Island in the Sky District.
- Evening programs are at 8pm each Wednesday through Saturday starting April 10 at the Needles Campground Amphitheater.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: Join the final Dark Sky Tour of the season 6:30pm Saturday at the North View Overlook.
Dead Horse Point State Park: Star parties give visitors a peek through telescopes and "tours" through constellations at 8:30pm April 6 and 9 in the visitor center parking lot.
- Sunset talks begin at 7pm April 12 and 18 at Dead Horse Point Overlook.
- A 2-mile "Mindfulness Meander" begins at 6:45pm at the Overlook and continues after sundown.
- Full moon hikes are set for 8:30pm April 23 and 24 at the visitor center.
- An "Amphibian Adventure" takes you to toad breeding grounds at 8:30pm April 28.
Goblin Valley State Park: Visit the amphitheater for a dark sky program 8:30pm Saturday.
- Check out the park's night sky forecast and photo gallery for inspiration.
Jackson Flat Reservoir: Join the Stellar Vista Observatory for a short moonlight promenade, 8:30pm April 20.
Snow Canyon State Park: A star party begins at 8:30pm Saturday at the Upper Galoot rec area.
- Come back for a solar eclipse viewing party, 11am Monday.
- Commune with the creatures of the night with a Bug Bonanza, 8:30pm April 20.