Stargazing at Arches National Park
ScenicEasyYear-round
Take advantage of the long November nights in this International Dark Sky Park to view the Milky Way framed by massive sandstone silhouettes.
Itinerary tips
- 1Arrive before sunset to secure parking at popular spots like The Windows Section or Balanced Rock before the crowds thin.
- 2Pack a headlamp with a red-light mode to preserve your night vision and navigate the uneven sandstone trails safely.
- 3Download a stargazing app and offline park maps beforehand, as cellular reception is non-existent within the park canyons.
- 4Bring folding camp chairs and heavy blankets to stay comfortable during the rapid temperature drops typical of high-desert nights.
- 5Verify if a timed-entry reservation is required for your arrival time, though entry is typically unrestricted after 4:00 PM.
- 6Plan for at least three hours of stationary viewing to allow your eyes to fully adjust to the Bortle Class 2 darkness.
More in Moab
Drive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
Navigate a white-knuckle descent on a dirt road that drops 1,500 feet from the Island in the Sky mesa to the canyon floor.
ScenicStargaze at Dead Horse Point
Visit this International Dark Sky Park after hours to see the Milky Way arching over the gooseneck curves of the Colorado River far below.
ScenicWatch the Sunrise at Mesa Arch
Peer through the 'eye' of the arch as it frames the vast canyon system of Canyonlands, illuminated by the first light of day.
ScenicDrive the Potash Road Scenic Byway
Follow Highway 279 along the Colorado River to see ancient petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and the towering 'Wall Street' climbing area from your car window.
Scenic