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
Public Star Party
June 20 – 8:30 pm
Join members of Ogden Astronomical Society in White Rock Bay for an evening of stargazing with telescopes. We’ll start the evening by looking at our star, the sun, through solar-filtered telescopes. After dark, volunteers will switch to equipment to view distant planets and other deep-space objects.
Bear Lake State Park
Star Party
June 19 – 10 pm – 12 am
Join a Park Ranger for a Star Party! This event will take place at Rendezvous Beach
Camp Floyd State Park Museum
Star Party
June 6th – 9:00 pm
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. For more information please visit campfloyd.utah.gov, email campfloyd@utah.gov or call (801) 768-8932. To reserve your spot go to https://events.parkspass.app/events/june-6-2026-star-party-mn0jghrr
Dead Horse Point State Park
Stargazing: Dark Skies over Dead Horse Point
May 29, 2026 – 9:30pm
Immerse yourself in the dark skies over Dead Horse Point! Naked-eye stargazing only! Bring an outdoor blanket and red light! Meet at the Visitor Center. Ranger Presentation.
Luna in the Lens: Blue Moon
May 30, 2026 – 9:30pm
Discover the wonders of lunar geography through the lens of a telescope! Bring a red light! Meet at the Point Shelter. Telescope Viewing.
Astrofest: Star Party
June 6 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center or Mountain Bike Lot. Multiple telescope viewings.
The annual Moab-Area Astronomy Festival returns to Dead Horse Point! Use telescopes to learn all about deep sky objects!
Stargazing: Dark Skies Over Dead Horse Point
June 12 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center. Ranger presentation, no telescope.
Immerse yourself in the dark skies over Dead Horse Point! Naked-eye stargazing only! Bring an outdoor blanket and red light!
Constellation Quest
June 13 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center. Telescope viewing.
Explore the constellations of the Zodiac with the aid of a telescope. Bring an outdoor blanket and a red light!
Stargazing: Dark Skies Over Dead Horse Point
June 19 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center. Ranger presentation, no telescope.
Immerse yourself in the dark skies over Dead Horse Point! Naked-eye stargazing only! Bring an outdoor blanket and red light!
Scorpion Search
June 20 – 9:00pm
Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot. Easy 1.5 mile hike.
Search for the glow of a scorpion with a UV flashlight! Bring a UV / black light!
Stargazing: Dark Skies Over Dead Horse Point
June 26 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center. Ranger presentation, no telescope.
Immerse yourself in the dark skies over Dead Horse Point! Naked-eye stargazing only! Bring an outdoor blanket and red light!
Luna in the Lens: Strawberry Moon
June 27 – 9:30pm
Meet at the Visitor Center. Telescope moon viewing.
Discover the wonders of lunar geography through the lens of a telescope! Bring a red light!
Goblin Valley State Park
Venomous Critters of Goblin Valley
May 30 – 8:30PM
Join rangers to learn about the creepy critters that call the park home! After the program we will search for scorpions with black lights. Meet at Amphitheater.
Full Moon Hike
May 31 – 9:45 PM
Join rangers for a short hike through the hoodoos under the light of the full moon! You will learn about the moon, nocturnal wildlife and other park information. Meet at Observation Point.
Goblin Valley Dark Sky Junior Ranger Day
June 13, – 8:45 PM
Participants can attend both parts of the program and gain a Goblin Valley Junior Ranger badge! Schedule:
8:45pm: Fun astronomy crafts at the Observation Point!
9:45pm: Stars and Constellations! Join rangers to learn about the stars, the constellations and mythology associated with them. We will view various space objects with the telescopes afterwards.
Star Party!
June 20 – 9:45PM, Observation Point
Join rangers to learn about stars and how they form and tour the constellations! We will view various sky objects through telescopes after the program.
Bats of Goblin Valley Campfire Program!
June 27 – 9:30PM, Amphitheater
Join rangers to learn about the amazing critters of the night sky. The program will be followed by a campfire and s’mores.
Full Moon Hike,
June 29 – 9:45PM, Observation Point
Join rangers for a short hike through the hoodoos under the light of the full moon! You will learn about the moon, nocturnal wildlife and other park information.
Fremont Indian State Park and Museum
Scorpion Quest
June 18th — 9:30 pm
Join our quest to find as many scorpions we can in our scorpion quest. We will have a short ranger-led program where you can learn about scorpions, how they live, what makes them glow, and much more. After the program we will drive out to our questing grounds. UV lights will be provided but you can bring your own if you have them. The evening begins at our new outdoor amphitheater at 9:30pm.
Great Salt Lake State Park
Full Moon Walk
June 29 — 9:15 pm
Join a park ranger for an evening stroll across the expanse of Silver Sands Beach. The walk will begin after sunset, and we will watch as the moon rises and casts its reflection over the Great Salt Lake. The event tour is $3 per person + the $10 (per vehicle) to enter the park. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash.
Meet at the Observation Deck just past the Visitor’s Center. The walk will mostly consist of approximately 1/2 mile along relatively flat terrain with typical beach hazards (uneven, unstable sand, changing conditions, etc). Strollers have difficulty in the sand. Meet at the Observation Deck just past the Visitor Center at 9:20 PM. Please be prompt as the park gates close at 9:35 PM.
Rockport State Park
Star Party
June 20 — 10 PM
Come enjoy the night sky with us at Rockport State Park! Bring a blanket, warm layers, and get ready for an incredible night under the stars. We hope to see you there!
Location: Highland Day Use – Upper Parking Lot
Sand Hollow State Park
Full Moon Paddle Tour
May 30 — 8:45-10 PM
Sand Hollow is the best place to enjoy a moonlit paddle. Join the Park Ranger for a chat about the full moon before paddling around our island. Kayaks will be available for rentals; while supplies last!
Scorpion Hunt
June 4 — 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Join a Park Ranger for a nighttime adventure among glowing arachnids. Enjoy a ¼ mile loop walk starting at our OHV staging area. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring your own UV flashlights if you have them, and be ready to be amazed.
Scorpion Hunt
June 16 — 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Join a Park Ranger for a nighttime adventure among glowing arachnids. Enjoy a 1/4 mile loop walk starting at our OHV staging area. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring your own UV flashlights if you have them, and be ready to be amazed.
Full Moon Paddle Tour
June 29 —9:15 pm – 10:30 PM
Sand Hollow is the best place to enjoy a moonlit paddle. Join the Park Ranger for a chat about the full moon before paddling around our island. Kayaks will NOT be provided. You must register for this event ahead of time.
Utahraptor State Park
Fifth Annual Southeast Utah Astrofest (Night 1)
June 4th, 2026 – 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Kicking off Astrofest this year, Utahraptor State Park is the opening act of a weekend-long series of Dark Sky events at National and State Parks! Where: Utahraptor State Park at Historic Site (38.711910, -109.700358)
Scorpion Search
June 6th, 2026 – 9:30 PM- 10:30 PM
Scorpions glow under UV light! Join Park Rangers for a nighttime 0.5-mile walk searching for these glowing creatures! Where: Utahraptor State Park at Historic Site (38.711910, -109.700358)