Bryce Canyon National Park guide · 1 min read
Gold Tier Dark Skies and Astronomy Festival
Bryce Canyon became a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park in 2019. Its high elevation, clean air, and location far from towns mean its skies count among the darkest in the country.
On a clear night, the sky fills with stars, and the band of the Milky Way runs overhead. You can also walk out to a viewpoint on your own at any time.
The sky is at its darkest around the new moon, when the moon has set and no longer brightens the night. June is a favorite month for the Milky Way, and it is also when the park's Annual Astronomy Festival takes place. Rangers sometimes run night sky telescope programs, and these tend to fill up fast.
The festival runs every summer over four days. Daytime activities are geared toward families, and evenings bring telescope viewing and guided tours of the constellations. Some events need advance sign-up, but evening programs can be picked up as same-day tickets at the Visitor Center. The astrophotography workshop can be booked ahead of time.
Full moon hikes swap darkness for moonlight. These ranger-led walks run only when the moon is full, and moonlight mixed with shadow gives the hoodoos an unusual look. Hikes cover one to two miles, and the ranger chooses the route, which may follow the rim or descend into the canyon. Reservations are required, tickets are limited, and flashlights are not allowed. Lug-soled footwear is required, and children seven and younger are not permitted.
Photographers often set up along the rim trail, or hike the Queen's Garden or Navajo trails to frame natural features in the foreground. For summer stargazing, rangers recommend Paria View, and the rim is a good choice in any season.
