Skywatching and Stargazing
In 2015, Capitol Reef National Park became an International Dark Sky Park, with some of the best night sky viewing opportunities in the western national parks.
Plan Around Skywatching and Stargazing
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Skywatching and Stargazing Details
In 2015, Capitol Reef National Park became an International Dark Sky Park, with some of the best night sky viewing opportunities in the western national parks. With open skies and wide desert platforms, the park offers skies free from most light pollution, and in order to receive the designation from the International Dark-Sky Association, the park made improvements to outdoor light fixtures that vastly improved the park's night-friendly lighting. There are a number of summer evening programs in the park, which can include night sky tours presented by visiting astronomers. Park guests are also encouraged to protect the clear night sky by reducing ambient light. For backcountry hikers who visit the Waterpocket Fold, the completely uninterrupted night sky is even more spectacular.
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Nearby Parks Around Skywatching and Stargazing
Compare nearby parks around Skywatching and Stargazing when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Skywatching and Stargazing
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Skywatching and Stargazing while the map context is still fresh.
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