Starry Sky Adventures Utah presents the best outdoor adventures to take under the stars. Hike, paddle, and camp under the constellations in the darkest destinations around. This guide highlights astrotourism destinations across Utah, including Dark Sky Places recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association, as well as places with outstanding natural darkness. Guided adventures, including camping, backpacking, hiking, will show readers the way to getting out there, looking up, and getting lost in the stars.

Contents

Meet Your Guide

Introduction

Importance of Natural Darkness

Dark Sky

Planning Your Trip

Astrophotography Basics by Bettymaya Foott

How to Use this Guide

Northwest

Weber County’s North Fork Park

1. Ski or mountain bike North Fork Park to Cutler Flats

2. Snowshoe 365 to Pipeline trail

Antelope Island State Park

3. Night hike on Buffalo Point

4. Night swim in Great Salt Lake

5. Sunset Paddle to Egg Island

East Canyon State Park

6. Common Loon by full Moon

Northeast

Dinosaur National Monument

7. Backcountry camping in Echo Park

8. Astrophotography at Swelter Shelter Petroglyph

Steineker State Park

9. Overnight in Dippy Cabin

Southwest

Zion National Park

10. Night bicycle ride on Pa’rus Trail

11. Full moon hike to Canyon Overlook

12. Astrophotography from bridge on Pa’rus Trail

Springdale, Utah

13. Sunrise from the Watchman

Bryce Canyon National Park

14. Night hike on Navajo Loop

15. Night Nordic ski to Paria and Bryce Point

16. Astrophotography on Sunset Point

Cedar Breaks National Monument

17. Night hike on Sunset View Trail

18. Astrophotography on Chessman Point

Southcentral

Capitol Reef National Park

19. Backcountry camping in Echo Park

20. Astrophotography in Cathedral Valley

Goblin Valley State Park

21. Hide and seek in Valley of the Goblins

22. Astrophotography of Three Sisters

Torrey, Utah, Honorable mention

Helper, Utah, Honorable mention

Southeast

Canyonlands National Park

23. Backpacking in Chesler Park

24. Astrophotography of Mesa Arch

25. White water rafting Cataract Canyon

Arches National Park

26. Night hike to Delicate Arch

27. Astrophotography in the Windows District

28. Plein-air painting at Balanced Rock

Hovenweep National Monument

29. Solstice hike to Holly solstice marker

30. Astrophotography and camping in Hovenweep National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument

31. Bat watching at Owachomo Bridge

32. Stargazing from Natural Bridges Campground

Grand County, Utah

33. Flatwater paddle through Labyrinth Canyon

34. Astrophotography from Marlboro Point

35. Astrophotography at Warner Lake

Moab, Utah

36. Full moon hike to Corona Arch

37. Flatwater paddle from Big Bend to Colorado River Bridge

Dead Horse Point State Park

38. Night hike to Rim Overlook

39. Scorpion hunt on Dead Horse Point

40. Astrophotography on Dead Horse Point

Glossary

References

Additional Reading