Natural Bridges National Monument   |  Jacob Frank
A Photo Essay

Utah After Dark

When the sun goes down in Utah, a celestial show is about to begin.

Written By Kim Heys

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. And here in Utah, you can definitely see the stars. In fact, the state boasts the most International Dark-Sky Association-certified parks and places on Earth. Thanks to wide open lands and dark sky preservation efforts by parks and surrounding communities, the state is one of the best places in the world to stargaze.

Take a look up in any one of Utah's certified dark sky parks and places and you’re likely to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. And there's nothing like a Milky Way view set against spectacular arches and canyons, or reflecting upon the Great Salt Lake. So when the sun sets in Utah, remember that it’s not time to pack it up just yet. Grab your telescope and your camera (Read: Tips for Astrophotography) — when the lights go down, the celestial show is about to begin.

Help Keep Utah's Dark Skies Forever Mighty: Light pollution disrupts wildlife and threatens human health, in addition to wasting money and energy. Do your part to reduce light pollution by only lighting what you need and when you need it. Use energy efficient warm white light bulbs and shield bulbs to direct the light downwards. (Read: Reclaiming the Stars)

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"Alongside countless state parks, communities and monuments, Utah's Mighty 5 national parks have all earned dark sky certification from the International Dark-Sky Association."


 
Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Photo: NPS

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Photo: Ariel Solomon

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Photo: Wayne Pinkston

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Zion National Park

Zion National Park


 
Goosenecks State Park is an easy-to-get-to area with a million-dollar view. Look down upon the San Juan River below and see the results of 300 million years of erosion.

Goosenecks State Park is an easy-to-get-to area with a million-dollar view. Look down upon the San Juan River below and see the results of 300 million years of erosion.

Photo: Utah State Parks

Look up, and Goosenecks’ night skies rival its sensational geological formations.

Look up, and Goosenecks’ night skies rival its sensational geological formations.

Photo: Matt Muirhead


 

"To experience the vastness of space and time helps put the Earth and our place on it in perspective. It allows us to focus on the things that are important to us in our community, the environment and wildlife."

– Durand 'Duke' Johnson, Executive Director of Clark Planetarium


 
Considered sacred in Navajo culture, Rainbow Bridge is a symbol of deities responsible for creating rain, the essence of life in the desert.

Considered sacred in Navajo culture, Rainbow Bridge is a symbol of deities responsible for creating rain, the essence of life in the desert.

Photo: Ratandeep Saha

Under cover of the Milky Way, the bridge cuts a dramatic figure across pristine night skies.

Under cover of the Milky Way, the bridge cuts a dramatic figure across pristine night skies.

Photo: Courtesy of Dawn & Brent Davis/brentdavisphotography.com


 

"In the span of this remarkable natural bridge, we see symbolically represented the arch of the Milky Way across the night sky, a reminder of the long-held value of both Rainbow Bridge and the natural night sky to native peoples of the area."

– J. Scott Feierabend, Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association


 

Photo: Austen Diamond


 
By day, red rock sandstone formations at Goblin Valley State Park contrast starkly against bright blue skies.

By day, red rock sandstone formations at Goblin Valley State Park contrast starkly against bright blue skies.

Photo: Angie Payne

After dark, the outlines of the 'goblins' create a foreground to the nightly star show.

After dark, the outlines of the 'goblins' create a foreground to the nightly star show.

Photo: Ryan Andreasen


 

"What a privilege it is to frolic with goblins under the beguiling light of a billion stars."

– Justina Parsons-Bernstein, Utah State Parks


 
Dark-Sky-1

 

Photo: Austen Diamond


 

"As humans, we’ve been looking up in awe at the night sky as long as humans have been here. It’s innate within us to lay out under the stars and enjoy ourselves and have a wonderful time — it can be life-changing."

– Bettymaya Foott, Director of Engagement at the International Dark-Sky Association


 
The closest certified park to Salt Lake City, Antelope Island offers fantastic sunset viewing from Buffalo Point and Frary Peak.

The closest certified park to Salt Lake City, Antelope Island offers fantastic sunset viewing from Buffalo Point and Frary Peak.

Photo: Dave Sansom

And at night, Antelope Island beckons you to stargaze from the salty remnants of an ancient lake.

And at night, Antelope Island beckons you to stargaze from the salty remnants of an ancient lake.

Photo: Bettymaya Foott


 

Although East Canyon State Park is just 35 miles from Salt Lake City, the mountains provide a blockade for light pollution.

Photo: Ryan Andreasen

Many of Utah’s state and national parks host stargazing events, including star parties, astronomy programs and ranger-led full moon hikes.

Photo: NPS

"Eighty percent of Americans live in an area where they cannot see the Milky Way due to the light pollution of the cities. But that is not an issue when stargazing in Utah, thanks to the steadfast efforts of those dedicated to protecting the night sky."


 
Mesa Arch is one of Canyonlands National Park's most iconic vistas.

Mesa Arch is one of Canyonlands National Park's most iconic vistas.

And under cover of starlight, the view moves skyward.

And under cover of starlight, the view moves skyward.

Photo: Ryan Andreasen

About the Author – Kim Heys

Kim Heys is a web content editor at the Utah Office of Tourism. A Salt Lake City import, by way of Boston, you can find her skiing the Cottonwood Canyons or hiking the San Rafael Swell, and always with her kids in tow.

Where to Stargaze

A quick drive from Salt Lake City to Antelope Island to a multi-day excursion deep in Monument Valley, numerous options await stargazers seeking to view the Milky Way of Utah’s pristine and beautiful dark skies.

Find a certified dark sky viewing location in Utah

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