Badlands National Park guide · 2 min read
Cedar Pass Telescopes and Badlands Astronomy Festival
The Badlands Astronomy Festival is an annual three-day event at Badlands National Park. Space scientists, amateur astronomers, teachers, youth groups, and park guests all gather for it.
Newcomers and seasoned skywatchers alike can join daily family activities and evening talks led by guest speakers. The festival focuses on the dark sky overhead and the story of space exploration, and it also supports efforts to protect the park's night skies as a valuable natural resource.
Past festivals have featured a scale model solar system walk, solar observing, public stargazing, static displays, and equipment demonstrations from professional and amateur astronomers. Special guest speakers have appeared in past years too.
Night sky viewing happens each evening at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater from Memorial Day through Labor Day, right after the evening ranger program. Visitors can stay on afterward. The telescopes are provided with funding from Celestron and the Badlands Natural History Association. Park astronomers point out constellations, stars, and planets, and people can peer through the scopes at planets or the moon. A paved ramp with a low grade runs from the parking lot, and visitors of all abilities are invited to join.
The park's dark skies are the main draw. On any given night, more than 7,500 stars are visible to the naked eye, and the Milky Way stands out with unusual clarity. Galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, planets, and moons can be seen as well. Satellites and the International Space Station pass overhead. The park lies in a corner of the Great Plains where light pollution is uncommon.
The amphitheater and Cedar Pass Campground are within walking distance of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. There, you can get information, look at exhibits, shop for books, and use restrooms. Cedar Pass Campground has 96 flat sites with scenic views across the badlands, and Cedar Pass Lodge manages it.
