Dark Sky Events & Programs
Utah State Parks have some of the darkest night skies in North America. An ever-increasing number of our visitors appreciate and seek out the pristine night skies and after-dark programming we offer. Our parks employees want to responsibly manage and enhance this resource.
To keep you all engaged, check out the dark sky programs below!
State Parks Dark Sky Activities & Events
Weather can affect planned events. Please check with the state park directly for more information.
Antelope Island State Park
August 15, 2025 – 8:30 PM
Scorpion Safari
Meet at the Antelope Island Marina parking lot for a brief presentation about one of our more elusive arachnids – the Northern Scorpion. Afterward, we’ll head out through their desert habitat to try to find them using UV lights. Limited lights are available for borrow on a FCFS basis.
August 16, 2025 – 6:00 PM
OAS Public Star Party
White Rock Bay Event Area- Join volunteers from Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of gazing into the cosmos. Starting at 6:00 we’ll begin by viewing our star, the sun; safely through filtered telescopes. Once the sun sets, equipment will be switched out for dark sky viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters, and even far-away galaxies. Telescopes will be provided.
Camp Floyd State Park Museum
August 16, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Star Party
As you look into the night sky do you wonder what is out in space? Is there life on the planets and stars you are seeing? Join Camp Floyd State park at 9:00 PM at the Camp Floyd Cemetery located just south of Fairfield Utah (Not the Stagecoach Inn) in partnership with the Utah Valley Astronomy Club as we watch the night sky and celebrate the vastness of space.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Star Party: Perseids
August 13, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Explore the mythology surrounding the hero Perseus during the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower! Meet at the Visitor Center!
Star Party: New Moon
August 23,2025 – 9:00 PM
The new moon is a great time to navigate the dark skies with a Ranger-led telescope adventure! Meet at the Visitor Center.
Bat Blitz
August 27, 2025 – 8:00 PM
Come learn all about our favorite flying mammal, the bat! Meet in front of the Visitor Center.
Scorpion Hunt
August 30, 2025 – 8:00 PM
How many scorpions can you find in the desert? Come grab a UV light and find out! Meet at the Mountain Bike Parking Lot.
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
August 23, 2025 – 9:15 PM
Star Party
Join us for a night of stargazing, constellation stories, and telescope viewing. We will start with a program about dark sky efforts, the constellations and their stories, and some naked-eye viewing. After that we will have a telescope set up to view some of the dark sky objects that can be seen this time of year. Meet in the Museum Parking Lot at 9:15pm.
August 28, 2025 – 8:30 PM
Scorpion Quest
With closed toe shoes and a handy dandy UV light, you will be ready to embark on a quest for the maybe not so elusive scorpion! Join our ranger for a fun night of searching and finding glowing scorpions in the night! Meet at the Museum Activity Center at 8:30pm.
Goblin Valley State Park
August 15, 2025 – 9:30 PM
Star Party!
Join rangers at the Observation Point to learn about the constellations and stars and view the moon and space objects through park telescopes. 9:30PM
August 16, 2025 – 9:30 PM
Venomous Species of Goblin Valley!
Join rangers at the Amphitheater to learn about the spiders, scorpions and snakes of Goblin Valley State Park. 9:30PM
August 23, 2025 – 9:30 PM
Dark Skies of Goblin Valley
Join rangers at the Observation Point to learn about the constellations and stars and view space objects through park telescopes. 9:30PM
Rockport State Park
August 23, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Star Party
Come join us for a Star Party hosted by University of Utah Physics and Astronomy. Highland Day Use Area, 9:00 PM.
Steinaker State Park
Night Sky Viewing
August 14, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Celebrate Steinaker’s International Dark Sky designation by joining a park ranger and sky volunteers to gaze at celestial objects via naked-eye and telescope viewing. Red-light flashlights preferred. Park at Beach/Overflow upper lot – 1st right turn after entrance booth. Sky viewing will take place at the lower lot.
Scorpion Safari
August 22, 2025 – 8:30 PM
Ready to safely get up close to some glow-in-the-dark critters? Join a park ranger to learn about these nocturnal hunters and search for them on a guided walk. Park and meet at the boat ramp parking lot- from the entrance booth, drive straight ahead.
Night Sky Viewing
August 28, 2025 – 8:30 PM
Celebrate Steinaker’s International Dark Sky designation by joining a park ranger and sky volunteers to gaze at celestial objects via naked-eye and telescope viewing. Red-light flashlights preferred. Park at Beach/Overflow upper lot – 1st right turn after entrance booth. Sky viewing will take place at the lower lot.