Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginner’s Guide Arches Park Tom National Gainor 02 Explore with a purpose

Dinosaur National Monument JeremiahDinosaur National Watt 03 Come Prepared, Leave Transformed

04 How to Whether you’re looking for easy entry into the Stargaze world of dark skies (aka astrotourism), want to in Utah discover a new or different spot, or you want to go off the beaten path, Utah offers the most 06 options for your stargazing adventure.

With so much of the world in perpetual twilight, many of us What makes Utah so special? It is our numerous remote Where to never see a naturally dark night sky and thus we yearn to geographies, high elevation and arid climate, plus the stargaze, losing ourselves in a Milky Way trance. steadfast efforts of those dedicated to protecting the sky Stargaze from light pollution. These are the perfect ingredients for in Utah Utah, part of The Great Western Starry Way of the exceptional dark sky viewing. Intermountain West, is lucky to boast the highest and finest concentration ofInternational Dark-Sky parks and Find stories, videos and itineraries for communities in the world. Let your dark sky journey begin! exploring Utah’s dark skies at visitutah.com/stars

01 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Bonneville Salt Flats Jake Nackos

Explore with a Purpose

When looking up at the dark sky, our first But the beauty of astrotourism is that the “Every child, every human, should have access “Access to a dark instinct may be to peer inward and think about experience allows for a deeper appreciation to dark skies,” said Johnson, a longtime our place in the vast universe. Many say this for the darkness and its positive effects on astrophotographer and an associate director night sky — to see experience is transformative. But if you also the environment, humans and our sense of at the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City, turn your gaze — and your actions — outward, place. Dark skies are also tied to our sense of which offers dome theater shows to learn and be inspired by it can benefit the community, neighbors, rural character, said Bettymaya Foott, a Moab, about the solar system. wildlife and the environment. With good Utah, native and director of engagement the universe as it planning, thoughtful choices and enough with the International Dark-Sky Association. Johnson said the Clark Planetarium is a great time to really explore, your engagement with “Astrotourism provides an incredible resource to help you get started in planning really is — should Utah’s extraordinary night sky will be rich with opportunity for rural economic revitalization, your dark sky trip. Whether you have a little or lifelong memories. with the added benefits of supporting local a lot of time to explore, experts can help you be a human right, efforts and programs to lessen light pollution personalize your trip based on what part of the So, how do you embark on this journey for the benefit of wildlife and the community,” celestial sky interests you most. not a luxury for to explore Utah at night? It starts by she said. understanding our relationship to light. In And Johnson’s insider tip? Allow yourself general, we humans don’t think much about Planning ahead for your trip is key — and adequate time to immerse yourself in a dark the chosen few.” the power of light. It’s an invisible force and easy — with so much of Utah’s unique sky place. Pick one spot in a state park and basically intangible. Light affects everything, landscape offering opportunities to stargaze. try out different locations and times of night from how we go about our daily lives to how Take advantage of the numerous resources within that area. Let it become familiar to you, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein we interact with the world around us. available to learn about your dark sky so you can have a deeper connection to the Theoretical physicist, from “The Disordered destination and lean on local experts for place — and the universe. Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, Now flip the switch and think about the advice, guiding services and events. and Dreams Deferred.” incredible power of light and its effect on “To experience the vastness of space and darkness. Eighty percent of Americans cannot Utahn Durand “Duke” Johnson has been time helps put the Earth and our place on it see the Milky Way due to light pollution. Light staring at the night sky his entire life. He grew in perspective,” he said. “It allows us to focus impacts our health and that of wildlife — from up on a farm in North Dakota experiencing on the things that are important to us in our a neighbor’s outside light shining through your with unaided eyes the dark sky and its billions community, the environment and wildlife.” window and inhibiting sleep to artificial light of stars. He landed here as an adult, capturing disturbing wildlife that depends on darkness through the lens of a camera the mystical solar to survive. Nearly seventy percent of mammal system, framed by the geometric shapes of species are nocturnal. the state’s myriad landscapes.

02 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Monument Valley Clay Banks

Plan when and how to visit months, keep in mind that Utah Binoculars To have the best viewing may have warm days, but the While you can get an amazing experience, time your trip nights can get quite cool — night view just with your naked around the moon phases. even cold in higher elevations. eyes, any type of binoculars You don’t want a full moon Layer up and bring gloves and are a great tool to also aid in washing out the Milky Way. a hat. looking at different star clusters Visit in the week before or after and planets. a new moon. And while you Always bring water can certainly venture out on Whether you’re hiking to your Telescope your own in a designated or viewing destination or hanging You don’t need a telescope, undesignated dark sky area, out in a parking lot, you may but if you have one that’s easy take advantage of local star get thirsty and dehydrated. to transport, bring it along. You parties, presentations and Bring plenty of water for won’t be disappointed. events offered at Utah state and yourself and your group — national parks. (See more in the preferably in reusable bottles. Camera and tripod next section, “How to Stargaze If you want to test out your in Utah”) Snacks and warm beverages advanced photography skills, Bring healthy snacks and food pack up your camera and tripod Consider your comfort level such as trailmix, snack bars, and experiment with different in the dark sandwiches, finger foods, hot shutter speeds and settings. A crescent moon night can chocolate and coffee or tea. Read these tips on how to take also enhance your view in that Watching the night sky change photos of stars. it allows you to experience can take a couple hours or the vast Utah landscape with more (including time for your Extra batteries and external some light at night but it’s eyes to adequately adjust to charger not so bright as to block out the dark), so be prepared with As back-up, don’t forget other celestial features. And munchies. Pack out any trash Come Prepared, batteries for your headlamp for young kids who might be you bring in. or flashlight and an external afraid, try a full moon walk or charger for your phone. hike first to get them used to Headlamp or flashlight with Leave Transformed being outside in the dark that’s a red light Apps and websites for not too dark. Red lights are best for night stargazing

vision, versus bright white 13 tips to help you plan ahead for an Tell someone where you’re There are many cell phone lights, which will stop your eyes going to be apps that identify constellations from adjusting to the night and unforgettable dark sky trip in Utah and stars, which come in night Whether hiking or stargazing in decrease your ability to see the mode and won’t ruin your eyes’ Utah’s backcountry, it’s always a stars clearly. adjustment to the darkness. good idea to let someone know Or, if you prefer a hand-held Lunar calendar American Meteor Society your whereabouts and when to Camping chair or blanket (plan for media shower viewing) version, you can pick up a star Light Pollution Map expect you back. Be prepared to lounge back in Dark sky meter app International Dark-Sky Association chart at nearly any state park or (protecting dark skies & interactive map) a comfortable folding/camping national park visitor center. Globe at night webapp Pack warm clothes The Consortium for Dark Sky Studies chair or a blanket. The more Meet Stargazers (best (dedicated to the quality of night skies) locations for stargazing) Even if you’re planning to view settled in you are the better the Clear Sky Chart (forecast information Find stories, videos and itineraries the night sky during summer viewing experience. relevant to astronomical observing for exploring Utah’s dark skies at visitutah.com/stars Stellarium (calculate the sun’s position for sunset)

03 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism

Utah Office of Tourism Kodachrome Basin State Park Prajit Ravindran Kodachrome How to Stargaze in Utah The great advantage to astrotourism is that it doesn’t depend on seasonality. You can see night or dark skies throughout the year.

From our northern hemisphere nights where cloud cover is viewpoint, the Milky Way core (or prevalent or potential storms are bulge) is generally south on the on the horizon. horizon. However, the orientation of the galaxy differs throughout Make sure to build in a couple the year. extra days for backup in case your designated stargazing day Of course, you’ll want to take gets blotted out note of the weather and avoid by clouds.

04 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Summer Time of Month Stargazing with Kids

We see more of the Milky Way, its center, and Plan your stargazing during a new moon or Kids can make the best astrotourists — maybe the highest concentration of stars combining within a few days before or few days after. A because their imaginations seem unlimited. for the most luminous of views during the new moon occurs when it is located between The night sky is a way to keep their curiosity summer. Looking low on the southern horizon Earth and the sun. The moon is thus not front of mind by encouraging them to find is the constellation of Sagittarius, and its visible from Earth, resulting in dark skies that the constellations, a planet, or even make up brightest stars make a teapot shape, noted are ideal to see the Milky Way and the faintest their own stories about what they see. Kids Foott, with the Milky Way rising as steam from of celestial objects and phenomenon (details start digging into the solar system around 3rd the spout. in dust lanes of the galaxy, fainter light against grade or even sooner. National Park Ken Cheung Arches a dark background, etc.) Any light from the moon will wash out the night sky. You may be surprised at what they see and Winter can point out to parents. They might get sleepy sooner than adults, so just make them In the winter months, we are looking toward Time of Night comfortable, bring snacks and if they doze off, the outside edge of the galaxy, with fewer no problem. stars that are less intense and more subtle. Foott said the Milky Way is most clearly seen Winter is a wonderful time of year to during true night, after the sun is 18 degrees Looking for something extra? The National experience stargazing in part because it’s below the horizon — typically an hour to Park Service offers a Junior Ranger Night kinder to the non-night owls. There are more an hour-and-a-half after sunset. During the Explorer program, encouraging young park hours of darkness as the sun goes down northern hemisphere’s summer months, that’s visitors to explore the starry side of national earlier in the day and Utah’s typical dry winter after 10 p.m. And the longer you stay up, parks. air also allows for clearer viewing. the more intense the sky becomes with stars beaming as the night gets darker.

Viewing the Galactic Core Fear of Darkness

The central part of the Milky Way — the There are numerous ways to experience galactic core — shines nightly from March to stargazing, even if someone is unnerved or November. fearful of the dark. “Going to view a dark sky is not saying there will be no light. It’s about • March–May: The galactic core will first using the right types and amount of light become visible a few hours before pointed toward the ground,” Foott said. “We sunrise. want people to be comfortable and don’t want them to be scared and in the dark.” • June–August: View the Milky Way as soon as the sun sets for most of the When viewing a dark sky, utilize flashlights night. or headlamps that have a red light for night • September–November: The Milky Way vision, versus bright white lights, which will will be best seen in the early evening. impede your eyes from adjusting to the night and greatly decrease your ability to see the • November–February: The galaxy core stars and the Milky Way clearly. will not be visible in the northern hemisphere. You can also ease into the natural nighttime environment through a full-moon hike, offered by numerous state and national parks or local astronomy clubs.

05 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide A quick drive from Salt Lake City to Antelope Island to a multi-day Where to excursion deep in Monument Valley, numerous options await Stargaze stargazers seeking to view the Milky Way of Utah’s pristine and beautiful dark skies.

Utah is at the heart of a dense cluster of a star party or guided program. Visit the certified parks called The Great Western websites for Utah’s state and national parks Starry Way from New Mexico to Montana. to easily find upcoming free stargazing The Beehive State boasts some of the events, which typically include a ranger finest dark skies in the world where or interpretative-led talk. Numerous viewing the billions of stars in the Milky astrological societies and astronomy clubs Way has become an increasingly popular across the state also host star parties as pastime for all ages. In Utah alone, the enthusiasts bring along their telescopes International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), and amazing knowledge. with a mission to protect naturally dark places for present and future generations, “As humans, we’ve been looking up in has certified 23 (and counting) locations, awe at the night sky as long as humans including communities, parks, and have been here. It’s innate within us to lay protected areas. out under the stars and enjoy ourselves and have a wonderful time — it can be “More than anything, it’s important life-changing,” Foott said. to experience dark skies without light pollution. With that in mind, you can go COVID-19 has impacted festivals, and enjoy the night sky wherever you events and access to some resources want,” said Bettymaya Foott, director of or facilities. Check availability online in engagement with the IDA. advance and note that hours may be COVID-19 has impacted festivals, events and access limited or reservations required for some to some resources or facilities. Check availability If you want to go a bit deeper to learn experiences. Start planning at visitutah. online in advance and note that hours may be limited mythology or point to constellations and com/covid-19 or reservations required for some experiences. view the deep sky through a powerful Start planning at visitutah.com/covid-19 telescope, it may be necessary to attend Moab Persnickety Prints

06 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Arches National Park Goosenecks State Park After the sun sets and the sandstone has Goosenecks State Park is an easy-to-get-to cooled you can see countless stars set area with a million-dollar view. Look down against a pitch black night sky with majestic upon the San Juan River 1,000 feet below rock formations in frame. See the night sky and see the results of 300 million years of like you may never have before. erosion. Look up, and Goosenecks’ night Learn More » skies rival its sensational geological forma- tions. People from around the world travel to this remote park to immerse themselves in its IDA Accredited places terrestrial and celestial magnificence. Learn More »

Hovenweep National Monument Hovenweep trails are open sunrise to sunset Southeastern Utah daily. Stargazing and exploring the night sky is allowed from the visitor center parking lot and campground. Rangers present stargazing programs in spring and summer. Canyonlands National Park Learn More » Wave after wave of deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs and spires stretch Natural Bridges National Monument across 527 square miles. Outfitters in and Natural Bridges National Monument was around Canyonlands offer one-day to the world’s first Dark Sky Park due to its multi-day stargazing expeditions. remoteness and dedication to zero light Learn More » pollution. The park’s visitor center, exhibits and campground are open year-round. Dead Horse Point State Park Learn More » Dead Horse Point State Park was the first Utah State Park to achieve IDA certification. Rainbow Bridge National Monument Except in winter, the park offers multiple Rainbow Bridge National Monument is the evening events each month, such as night first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the hikes, telescope programs and constellation National Park Service. The monument itself tours. Learn More » can only be accessed by boat on Lake Powell or by backpacking from Navajo Mountain, Goblin Valley State Park but the entire Glen Canyon National Fun and goofy by day, slightly spooky at Recreation Area boasts dark skies. night, Goblin Valley sits on a remote corner Learn More » of the Colorado Plateau and inside the San Rafael Swell, which means its location attracts a lot less crowds. It’s one of the most spectacular — and ghoulish — places in the world to view the Milky Way. Learn More » Goblin Valley State Park Austen Diamond Goblin Valley

07 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Bryce Canyon National Park Fremont Indian State Park Far from the light pollution of civilization, and Fremont Indian State Park is known for its protected by a special force of park rangers captivating dark skies. Located in Fishlake and volunteer Utah astronomy enthusiasts, National Forest, here you can explore the Bryce Canyon is known as the last grand ancient petroglyphs and pictographs of the sanctuary of natural darkness and has one of scenic canyon by day, and the Milky Way the nation’s oldest astronomy programs. galaxy by cover of night. Learn More » During moonless and clear nights, 7,500 stars

Brian Head Resort Adam Clark will welcome you to their domain. Bryce Kodachrome Basin State Park Canyon also has an annual Astronomy Pillars shaded red, pink, white, yellow and Festival. Learn More » gray are only the start to the greatness of Kodachrome. Due to its geographical Capitol Reef National Park remoteness, superb air quality, high eleva- Utah’s hidden gem of a national park, Capitol tion, low humidity and distance from urban Reef, is almost like a planet unto itself. Here areas, the park boasts one of the darkest you get a real feel for what the Earth might skies remaining in the continental United have been like millions of years before life States. Staff and volunteers offer astronomy appeared, when nothing existed but earth events multiple times per year. and sky. Pair your stay with a visit to Torrey, a Learn More » certified Dark Sky Community.Learn More »

IDA Accredited places Southwestern Utah

Cedar Breaks National Monument Far from any metro light pollution and high in altitude makes sleeping under the stars at Cedar Breaks’ updated campground first class. Rangers hold stargazing programs throughout the summer months. Learn More »

08 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Antelope Island State Park North Fork Park View the beautiful dark skies from the west This sprawling county park tucked into a side of Antelope Island (opposite the canyon near Ogden is one of the few places IDA Accredited places urban-core lights) and it’s easy to forget you’re you can still see the Milky Way near an urban just an hour-and-a-half drive from Salt Lake center — in part because the mountains block City. Overlooking the Great Salt Lake at night light pollution from the Wasatch Front and with countless stars above makes for Cache Valley and because of successful local near-seamless stargazing. The park often efforts to limit light pollution in the park. presents dark sky programs and events to Learn More » Northern learn more about the Milky Way and beyond. Learn More » Rockport State Park Rockport sits at a base elevation 6,000 feet Dinosaur National Monument above sea level in a rural valley between the The monument boasts some of the most Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges. The Utah magnificent Dark Skies in the state, perfect for surrounding mountains create a protective stargazing and connecting with the monu- halo that blocks out light pollution. Park staff ment’s primordial foundation. Look for Dark host public programs on best dark sky Sky programs at the Split Mountain practices and the importance of dark skies for Campground. Learn More » the area’s nocturnal species. Learn More » East Canyon State Park Close to Salt Lake City, visitors to East Canyon Steinaker State Park at night are treated to an array of black skies Located just north of Vernal and between and starry constellations. The park hosts dark Ashley National Forest and Dinosaur National sky star parties throughout the year, with Monument, Steinaker is a remote destination scopes set up for night viewing. with welcoming accessibility for dark sky Learn More » viewing. The park offers nighttime program- ming right in the parking lot for visitors ready Jordanelle State Park to soak in the vibrant Milky Way. Although the park is close to Park City, Learn More » Midway and Heber City — the surrounding hillsides and mountains provide a blockade for light pollution. The park hosts dark sky Timpanogos Cave National Monument events and its Rock Cliff Nature Area boasts Famous for its spectacular caverns of the darkest skies in the park. helictites, stalactites and stalagmites, the cave Learn More » has a new designation — the first National Park Service unit to be certified as an Urban Night Sky Place. The park offers popular summer night sky programs in American Fork Canyon. Learn More » East Canyon State Park Ryan Andreasen

09 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Helper Best of the ResT: NON-ACCREDITED PLACES Located near Nine Mile Canyon and along the way to more popular Southern Utah adven- tures, this former mining and railroad town gives travelers a glimpse into a community of Red Fleet State Park art, history and stories of the power of Red Fleet is easily accessible at just a few togetherness. The town rallied its locals to miles north of Vernal and is home to protect and share its natural dark skies, leading numerous dinosaur tracks that are almost 200 million years old. Utah dark sky experts to its certification of being anInternational point to Red Fleet as a lesser-known, yet Dark Sky Community. Helper’s nearby Dark Sky Observers lead regular astronomy perfect venue for staying up late to view the programs and special events in the area. Milky Way with unaided eyes. Learn More »

Torrey Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Located just 8 miles from the west entrance of The entire park, located southeast of Zion National Park, is open for hiking and playing Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey is an idyllic little tree-lined, high-elevation town on the in the sand, plus 90 percent of the dunes Capitol Reef Country Scenic Byway (S.R. 24) are open for off-highway vehicle riding. surrounded by rose-colored cliffs and green Camping options and a visitor center help meadows. The town came together to protect you navigate the best viewing locations in its night skies by improving outdoor lighting the park. Learn More » ordinances and retrofitting dark-sky compliant IDA Accredited places lighting to minimize light pollution and Wasatch Front Canyons strengthen the town’s already close relation- Simply drive up one of the canyons near ship with nature, place and the universe. Salt Lake City to ski areas such as Alta or Brighton and break out your binoculars for an easy-to-experience night sky. Dark Sky Learn More » Gunlock State Park For solitude and an off-the-beaten-path feel, northwest of St. George, the park is primitive with a small campground, boat Communities ramp and beach. Learn More »

River Trip Stargazing Outfitters in and around Canyonlands National Park offer one-day to multi-day stargazing trips. Learn More »

Guide written by Whitney Childers Big Cottonwood Canyon Angie Payne

10 | Dark Skies Exploration: A Beginners Guide Utah Office of Tourism Arches National Park Jacob W. Frank