These Are the Best Places to Stargaze in Utah

Due to light pollution, dark skies are sadly becoming increasingly rare to find across the nation. But some destinations are working to preserve their starry nights. Utah, a state renowned for its natural wonders, has the highest concentration of International Dark-Sky Association-certified areas in the world.

The International Dark Sky Association is a non-profit dedicated to protecting communities from light pollution, and of the 31 places recognized by the organization across the Beehive State, we have a few favorites—and some advice, too. The skies are always darkest and the stars are more visible on the night of the new moon or in the days leading up to one. If the new moon doesn’t align with your trip, plan to stargaze before the moon rises or just after the moon sets. 

Here are the coolest places to stargaze in Utah.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its otherworldly landscape of vibrant red rock hoodoos—tall spires of rock sculpted by millions of years of erosion. In addition to having the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world, Bryce Canyon is a renowned Dark Sky Park with a coveted “Gold Tier” status, which means it has some of the darkest skies possible.

The best way to enjoy Bryce Canyon’s stars is to join the ranger-led “Night Sky Telescope Program,” which runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The park also hosts an Astronomy Festival every June, which is considered the best month to see the Milky Way at Bryce Canyon.

Moab

Not only is the city of Moab a Dark Sky community, but it’s also the gateway to two Dark Sky-certified national parks as well as a state park. For that reason, Moab is a top destination for stargazers. It’s also a place that draws outdoor enthusiasts, who come to climb and bike the surrounding red rock canyons and boat down the Colorado River.

From Moab, it is less than 10 minutes to Arches National Park, 30 minutes to Canyonlands National Park, and 35 minutes to Dead Horse Point State Park—all of which are Dark Sky Places.

Antelope Island State Park

This island and state park is located within the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. The size of the island fluctuates based on water levels, which are deepest in the spring and early summer due to snow melt.

The best place to catch the state park’s renowned dark skies is on the western half of the island, which is shielded from the lights of the Salt Lake City metro and is relatively undisturbed by artificial light. The island’s primitive campsites are a great way to enjoy the unpolluted dark skies in a serene atmosphere.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is known for its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and lush river valleys. Popular spots like Angels Landing and The Narrows offer unforgettable hiking, especially at sunset when the cliffs glow orange in the light of the setting sun. But there’s plenty to see after the sun sets, too.

Some popular stargazing spots in the park include the Pa’rus Trail in Zion Canyon, the Wildcat Canyon and Left Fork Trailheads off Kolob Terrace Road, and the Timber Creek Parking Lot in the Kolob Canyons area. 

Goblin Valley State Park 

Like Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley State Park has thousands of hoodoos and is a certified, gold-tier Dark Sky Place—but Goblin Valley is often overlooked. That means that visitors can enjoy the otherworldly topography and clear night skies with fewer crowds, and trust us, there’s something very cool about seeing a hoodoo (or “goblin”) surrounded by sparkling stars.