Top dark sky places
Dark Sky PlaceCapitol Reef National Park
Dark Sky PlaceArches National Park
Dark Sky PlaceBryce Canyon National Park
Dark Sky PlaceTorrey
Dark Sky PlaceCanyonlands National Park
Dark Sky PlaceRainbow Bridge National Monument
Dark Sky PlaceDead Horse Point State Park
Dark Sky PlaceZion National Park
Dark Sky PlaceCedar Breaks National Monument
Dark Sky PlaceHovenweep National Monument
Dark Sky PlaceGoosenecks State Park
Dark Sky PlaceGoblin Valley State Park
Dark Sky Places by county
All dark sky places (19)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Reef National ParkCapitol Reef | Wayne County | — | Richfield | 1 |
| Arches National ParkArches | Grand County | — | Moab | 2 |
| Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon | Garfield County | — | Panguitch | 1 |
| TorreyCapitol Reef | Wayne County | — | Richfield | 1 |
| Canyonlands National ParkCanyonlands | San Juan County | — | Moab | 1 |
| Rainbow Bridge National MonumentRainbow Bridge | San Juan County | — | Page | 1 |
| Dead Horse Point State Park | Grand County | — | Moab | 1 |
| Zion National ParkZion | Washington County | — | Hildale | 2 |
| Cedar Breaks National MonumentCedar Breaks | Iron County | — | Cedar City | 2 |
| Hovenweep National MonumentHovenweep | San Juan County | — | Towaoc | 1 |
| Goosenecks State Park | San Juan County | — | Kayenta | 1 |
| Goblin Valley State Park | Wayne County | — | Moab | 1 |
| Natural Bridges National MonumentNatural Bridges | San Juan County | — | Blanding | 1 |
| Kodachrome Basin State ParkBryce Canyon | Kane County | — | Panguitch | 1 |
| Antelope Island State Park | Davis County | — | Syracuse | 4 |
| East Canyon State Park | Morgan County | — | Coalville | 4 |
| Steinaker State Park | Uintah County | — | Maeser | 4 |
| Rockport State Park | Summit County | — | Silver Summit | 4 |
| Weber County North Fork Park | Weber County | — | Liberty | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph dark sky places
Certified dark sky places offer protected night skies — plan around the new moon and the Milky Way core season.
- Use the Milky Way table to find months and hours when the core is above the horizon.
- Use red light only and keep it pointed down to protect others' night vision.
- Set focus on a bright star with live-view magnification, then tape the focus ring.
- Use the NPF rule below to choose the longest exposure before stars trail.
- Many parks host star parties and night programs during summer.
Season: Milky Way core season runs roughly March to October; winter offers long nights and bright winter constellations.