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 continue planning for this special event.

 

Tyler Nordgren

Schedule subject to change; check with park for updates.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

• 9:00 pm - Night Sky Program
  • Check back for location
  • Bring a red light if possible.

Thursday, September 10, 2026

• 2:00-4:00 pm - Solar Telescope Viewing
  • Outside the Visitor Center
• 9:00 pm - Night Sky Program
  • Check back for location
  • Bring a red light if possible.

Friday, September 11, 2026

• 2:00-4:00 pm - Solar Telescope Viewing and Astronomy Activities
  • Outside the Visitor Center
• 3:00 - 3:30 pm - Nocturnal Animals Talk
  • Ripple Rock Nature Center

• 4:00 pm - Special Presentation: Utah and Mars
  • Cameron Pace, PhD, Southern Utah University
  • In the Visitor Center Theater
• 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
  • Reservations Required, stay tuned for more information
  • In the Visitor Center Theater
• 9:00-11:00 pm Telescope Program - 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 12, 2026

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).

• Afternoon - Dark Sky Presentations
  • at the Robber's Roost in Torrey: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Stay tuned for topics and registration information
• 3:00-5:00 pm - Solar Telescope Viewing and Astronomy Activities
  • At the Farmers Market -- Torrey Town Park: 100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah
• 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Special Presentation
  • Special Guest Speaker: Jason Trump, Director of Education, Clark Planetarium
  • Robber's Roost: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Advanced Registration required - more information coming soon
• 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.