Astrotourism With Purpose
Visitors can plan routes around star parties, park programs, gateway communities, and quiet overnight stays while supporting places that reduce light pollution.
Protected Night Skies Across Utah
Utah Dark Sky Trail
A statewide journey through one of the world’s leading collection of protected night skies.
The trail connects national parks, national monuments, state parks, gateway communities, and partner destinations recognized for protecting and sharing natural nightscapes. Plan a route that supports conservation, science education, cultural heritage, and rural communities across Utah.
About The Trail
A connected route for night-sky travel and stewardship.
The Utah Dark Sky Trail brings together certified places and partner destinations that promote and protect dark skies as a shared natural, cultural, scientific, and economic resource.
Conservation And Education
The trail highlights night-sky conservation, astronomy, nocturnal ecosystems, and public programs that help people understand why darkness matters.
Heritage And Local Benefit
Dark skies are part of Utah's rural identity and cultural landscapes. The trail encourages low-impact travel that respects communities, tribal lands, and sacred places.
Explore Destinations
Find Utah Dark Sky Trail destinations.
Explore certified dark sky parks, national monuments, state parks, gateway communities, and partner areas across Utah. Use the category filters to focus the map, then open a marker for visitor-facing details and official planning links.
28 destinations
Plan Your Trip
Featured destinations
These destinations provide night-sky focused programming throughout the year. Check the events below for those near you.
Arches National Park
National Park · International Dark Sky Park
Southeastern Utah
Visit official siteBryce Canyon National Park
National Park · International Dark Sky Park
Southwestern Utah
Visit official siteCapitol Reef National Park
National Park · International Dark Sky Park
Central Utah
Visit official siteCanyonlands National Park
National Park · International Dark Sky Park
Southeastern Utah
Visit official siteZion National Park
National Park · International Dark Sky Park
Southwestern Utah
Visit official siteNatural Bridges National Monument
National Monument · International Dark Sky Park
Southeastern Utah
Visit official siteCedar Breaks National Monument
National Monument · International Dark Sky Park
Southwestern Utah
Visit official siteHovenweep National Monument
National Monument · International Dark Sky Park
Southeastern Utah
Visit official siteEvents Preview
Programs and gatherings under protected skies.
Upcoming listings will feature star parties, ranger-led programs, dark sky festivals, astronomy viewing, night sky photography, and interpretive programming.
The Working of the Bison
Antelope Island Bison WorkingDuring the Working of the Bison, the animals are sorted and separated one at a time to receive their vaccinations. They receive individual health screenings that include checks for pregnancies, parasites, and health issues.Free public tours and media opportunities are available all three days of this phase. Educators and other group organizers: please reserve group tours by ... \n Read More \n
- Host
- Antelope Island State Park
- Type
- Star Party
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsBird Walk at Fielding Garr Ranch
Meet at the picnic area at Fielding Garr Ranch. We'll walk through the property's densely populated wetland in search of your bucket-list bird. Binoculars are available to borrow for this event.There is no additional charge for this activity - regular park entry fees apply. Contact dpittz@utah.gov with any questions. \n
- Host
- Antelope Island State Park
- Type
- Star Party
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsStargazing: Extraterrestrial Extravaganza
Stargazing: Extraterrestrial Extravaganza @ Visitor Center, Naked Eye Stargazing \n
- Host
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Type
- Star Party
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsShrub Shuffle: Monster Mash
Shrub Shuffle: Monster Mash @ Visitor Center, Easy 1-Mile Hike \n
- Host
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Type
- Star Party
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsStar Party: Galactic Trick-or-Treat
Star Party: Galactic Trick-or-Treat @ Visitor Center, Telescope Sky Viewing \n
- Host
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Type
- Star Party
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsNocturnal Wildlife Sunset Hike
Nocturnal Wildlife Sunset Hike, 5pm, Observation Point. Join a ranger for a short hike in the Valley of the Goblins while learning about the amazing wildlife that only come out at night! \n
- Host
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Type
- Ranger Program
Details should be verified with the host.
View official event detailsResponsible Travel
Travel Tips For After Dark
Dark-sky travel works best when visitors protect the places and communities that make the experience possible. Plan ahead, keep light low, and leave the night better than you found it.
- Use red lights instead of white lights.
- Stay on designated roads, trails, and viewing areas.
- Respect tribal lands, private lands, cultural places, and sacred landscapes.
- Check weather, moon phase, seasonal road conditions, and official park guidance before visiting.
- Support communities and businesses that protect the night sky.
Project Partners
Built through statewide partnership
The Utah Dark Sky Trail brings together conservation, tourism, science, and public-land partners working to protect and share Utah’s internationally recognized night skies.
The Utah Dark Sky Trail is a collaborative project of the Dark Sky Cooperative within the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University, the Utah Chapter of DarkSky, the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division of the National Park Service, and the Utah Office of Tourism and Film.
Together, these partners support responsible astrotourism, public education, and the long-term stewardship of Utah’s exceptional natural nightscapes.
