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 and/or COVID-19 restrictions can affect planned events. Please check with the state park directly for more information.
Fremont Indian State Park
Scorpions and Stars – Have you ever seen the Milky Way from a Dark Sky Park? That is only one thing you may see during our Scorpions & Stars program where we pair the celestial (Scorpio) with the terrestrial (scorpions)!
Join us at the northeast corner of the Fremont Indian State Park Museum parking lot to kick off the program. Enjoy using black lights to find some scorpions and learn some interesting facts about them. Learn about how nocturnal creatures, like the scorpion, are impacted by light pollution, and discover the simple ways that you can bring dark skies to your own backyards!
Telescopes are set up in order to enjoy some more of what our beautiful night sky has to offer!
Day-use fee applies to attend. $10 per vehicle.
Event Dates:
Saturday, July 30th @ 9 PM
Steinaker State Park
Scorpion Safari – Did you know that Steinaker State Park is home to the Northern Scorpion? These creatures are an integral element of the park’s nocturnal ecosystem.
At this event, we will learn about the importance of Steinaker’s dark skies and light pollution’s impact on humans and the environment. Learn about the elusive scorpion that most people usually fear or dislike. We will take you on a search for scorpions using UV flashlights! Scorpions fluoresce under UV light due to a protein in their exoskeleton. There is nothing quite like seeing the bright green glow of your first scorpion find!
Some UV lights will be provided, but bring a UV light if you have one. Day-use fee applies. Call the Park Office for more information, 435-789-4432.
Event Dates:
Saturday, July 2nd @ 9:30 PM
Star Party – Did you know that Steinaker State Park is certified as an International Dark Sky Park? This means that Steinaker is working to preserve and protect our beautiful views of the starry night sky! At this event, we will learn about the importance of Steinaker’s dark skies and light pollution’s impact on humans and the environment. After the presentation, we will have the opportunity to look through high-powered telescopes at nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects!
Day-use fee applies. Call the Park Office for more information, 435-789-4432.
Event Dates:
Saturday, July 9th @ 9:30 PM