Heritage StarFest

Heritage StarFest 2026

Started in 2010, this annual festival celebrates the amazing night skies of Capitol Reef and surrounding Wayne County. Come learn more about astronomy, our connection to the night sky, and how darkness is important to the health of all living things.

Hosted by Capitol Reef National Park and the Entrada Institute, 2026's events will take place on September 11th and 12th.

Activities and events are free and will take place both in the park and in the nearby town of Torrey, 11 miles west of the visitor center.

Please stay tuned for updates as park staff begin to plan for this special event.

Information and details below are from Heritage StarFest 2025.

 

Tyler Nordgren

Schedule subject to change; check with park for updates.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

• 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Astronomy Evening Program
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

• 8:30 - 9:30 pm - Constellation Tour
  • Gifford House Lawn
  • Bring a red light if possible.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

• 3:00 - 3:30 pm - Bat Talk
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater
• 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Nocturnal Animals Evening Program
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater

Friday, September 19, 2025

• 3:00 pm - Solar Telescope Viewing and Astronomy Activities
  • Outside the Visitor Center
• 3:00 - 3:30 pm - Nocturnal Animals Talk
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater
• 5:00 - 6:00 pm - Special Presentation: Volcanoes of the Solar System
  • In the Visitor Center Theater
  • University of Utah Astronomy graduate student Samantha Creech
• 7:30 pm - Special Presentations at the Fruita Campground Amphitheater
  • Talk: Astronomy for All
    • Utah State University PhD candidate and NASA Solar System Ambassador Emily Lehnardt

Followed by:

• Telescope Program - Following the evening presentations (after dark, ~9:00 pm), join park rangers and guest amateur astronomers to view celestial wonders through a variety of telescopes. Telescopes will be set up in the Fruita Campground Amphitheater Parking Lot.
  • Park across from the Gifford House or at the Picnic Area, or walk over from the campground.
  • Bring a red light if possible; no white lights allowed in the viewing area.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Events will take place at the Torrey Town Park (100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah) and at the Entrada Institute's Robber's Roost (185 W. Main Street in Torrey, Utah).

• 1:00 - 4:30 pm - Dark Sky Presentations
  • at the Robber's Roost in Torrey: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Advanced Registration required to reserve a seat - visit the Entrada Institute webpage to register.
  • Topics:
    • Dark Sky Data and Trends
    • Dark Skies Community Engagement in Torrey
    • Night Sky Intern Project Summary
    • Torrey Dark Skies Update
    • Capitol Reef Field Station & Entrada Observatory Plans
    • Dark Sky Stewardship Awards

• 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Special Presentation: To the Edge of Infinity: Our Solar System Through the Eyes of Spacecraft
  • Special Guest Speaker: Jason Trump, Director of Education, Clark Planetarium
  • Robber's Roost: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Advanced Registration required to reserve a seat - visit the Entrada Institute webpage to register.

• 9:00 pm - Torrey Park Telescope Program
  • Torrey Town Park: 100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah
  • Join park staff and volunteers, community partners and guest amateur astronomers to view the Milky Way and other celestial wonders through many different telescopes.
  • Bring a red light if possible; no white lights allowed in the viewing area.
• 9:30 pm - Dark Sky Monitoring
  • Participate in dark sky data collection for Utah's first International Dark Sky Community!
  • Meet at the Torrey Town Park, under the solar panels, to help document the quality of the night sky. Orientation and training will be provided, and then volunteers will be driving to a variety of locations in the Torrey-Teasdale area.
  • For more information or to sign up, please email: [e-mail]

 

Park staff at Heritage StarFest 2023

NPS / Jeff Zylland

Volunteering for Heritage StarFest

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email the park's volunteer office. Join in the fun with your personal telescope or provide assistance with events.