Dark Sky

If you live in or near a city, you see maybe 1-2% of the stars that are actually in our sky. Greater Zion offers some of the darkest night skies in the United States, so when you visit, you can see the stars as they’re meant to be seen: vast, vivid, and vibrant.

As home to Zion National Park — a certified International Dark Sky Park — our region provides unparalleled opportunities to witness the sky in all its glory.

Discover Where Stars Shine Brightest

Zion National Park

Certified as an International Dark Sky Park, Zion National Park offers spectacular stargazing among towering sandstone cliffs. Rangers host astronomy programs throughout the year.

Springdale,
Utah

Springdale, the gateway to Zion National Park, is certified as an International Dark Sky Community. The town’s dark-sky-compliant lighting ordinances protect the night sky for locals and visitors.

Remote Viewing Areas

Venture beyond the parks to discover hidden gems throughout Greater Zion where light pollution fades and celestial wonders emerge. Snow Canyon State Park and Gunlock State Park are both working toward International Dark Sky Designations.

Stargazing Essentials

🔴 Use Red Light

Preserve night vision with red flashlights.

🧥 Dress Warmly

Desert nights can be surprisingly cold. Layer up.

🌙 Moon Phases

Check the moon phase. New moon nights offer the darkest skies.

⏰ Allow Time

Eyes need 20-30 minutes to adjust to adjust to the dark.

Celestial Highlights

On a clear Greater Zion night, the sky becomes its own attraction. The Milky Way stretches overhead in a bright, cloud-like band, and if you visit in summer, you’ll catch the glowing center where its stars gather most densely.

Look a little farther and you can even spot the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye, appearing as a soft, distant smudge. Planets often join the show too, with Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Venus shining brighter than many stars. These celestial highlights add a memorable dimension to your southwest trip, turning an evening outside into an experience you’ll talk about long after the sun comes up.

Seasonal Constellations

Summer: Cygnus, Lyra, Aquila, Sagittarius, and Scorpius are prominent in the southeastern sky
Autumn: Perseus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Pegasus, and Aquarius appear in the northeastern sky
Winter: Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, and Hydra are visible
Spring: Scorpius, Sagittarius, Corona Borealis, Ursa Major, and Leo dominate the southern sky (Zion White Bison Resort)

Annual Meteor Showers

The Lyrids Meteor Shower peaks in late April, producing around 20 meteors per hour
The Perseids Meteor Shower in August attracts astronomers from across the country
The Draconids Meteor Shower in October peaks after midnight (Stargazing Zion)

Ranger Programs

Join park rangers for telescope viewing and constellation tours at Zion National Park. Programs run from May through September.

Learn More

Private Tours

Local astronomy guides offer personalized stargazing experiences with professional telescopes and expert knowledge.

Tours are led by Jenn and Rob — Air Force veterans and seasoned space professionals whose advanced studies in astronomy make every stargazing experience both accurate and delightfully easy to understand.

This experience offers unforgettable night-sky tours led by knowledgeable and engaging guides, including a science educator, a NASA-affiliated research astronomer, and a veteran astronomy program director.