Arches National Park guide · 2 min read
Dark Skies North of Moab
The night sky over Arches National Park is darkest in the areas that sit off the main park road and away from town.
The farther north you drive, the more distance you put between yourself and the lights of Moab. Good stargazing stops include Balanced Rock Picnic Area, The Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point.
Balanced Rock can be seen right from the park road, 9.2 miles from the Arches Visitor Center, so it is easy to pull over. Parking is limited, but a loop of 0.3 miles round trip circles the base of the rock in about 15 to 30 minutes. After dark, its distance from Moab makes it well suited to stargazing and night photography, with rocky spires rising in the foreground. Long exposures record the stars as curving trails above the rock.
Across the park road from Balanced Rock, a gravel road heading west leads to a picnic area. It has several picnic tables, a covered canopy, a vault toilet, and views over Salt Valley toward the rock. The picnic area and toilet are accessible, so you can stay through the evening.
Just ahead of the Garden of Eden Viewpoint, a pull-out lets you look at Turret Arch and the Windows with the La Sal Mountains rising behind them. To get there, turn onto Garden of Eden Viewpoint Road from The Windows Road. Sandstone formations and lumpy hoodoos make a brief stop worthwhile. Panorama Point also suits stargazing, and its views reach Devils Garden and the Fiery Furnace.
The Windows Section also works for stargazing. North Window can be seen from the parking lot, and a trail with stone steps leads toward North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. The trail climbs gradually. On the way back, you can retrace your steps or follow a less developed path that swings behind the arches and adds a bit of distance.
