NPS/Jacob W. Frank Sitting in the campground and staring up at the sky after a long day of hiking, it's easy to imagine the ancestral Puebloans doing the same thing over 700 years ago. Native consultants tell stories of religious leaders coming to Hovenweep to pray for rain. Because ancestral Puebloan crops like corn, beans, and squash need rain at just the right time of year, these leaders may have looked to the stars to time their prayers. Some of the structures and petroglyphs at Hovenweep align with major celestial events like the solstices. These may be evidence of ancient skywatching, still visible today. We might observe the stars for entertainment rather than function, but the sky is just about as dark and beautiful as it was centuries ago. National parks preserve some of the darkest skies in the country. In some areas it's possible to see up to 15,000 stars throughout the night. By contrast, in urban environments, you might only see fewer than 500 stars. You may not realize that light pollution affects more than just astronomers. Nocturnal animals need darkness for survival, and the circadian rhythms of humans and plants rely on an unaltered night sky. Though a multitude of lights create light pollution, these problems can be resolved one light at a time. Due to its remote location surrounded by the Navajo Reservation and BLM public lands, Hovenweep preserves a primordial dark sky largely unaltered by modernity. The National Park Service wants to keep it that way. To that end, here at the monument, we only use artificial lighting necessary for safety. Motion detectors limit the light needed within restrooms and other areas in the park. All outdoor lighting devices use low-energy, low-impact bulbs with shields that direct light to the ground where it is needed. On July 1, 2014, the International Dark-Sky Association certified Hovenweep National Monument as the 17th International Dark Sky Park. The goal of a Dark Sky Park is to preserve the skies and educate the public about light pollution and how they can make a difference. Read more about Hovenweep on the International Dark Sky Association website. You can review nomination and planning documents. How and Where to Stargaze Hovenweep trails are open sunrise to sunset daily. Stargazing and exploring the night sky is allowed from the visitor center parking lot and campground only. No structures will be visible from the campground or parking lots. Rangers present stargazing programs in spring and summer. Check the link below for a schedule of astronomy events in southeast Utah, or check the calendar for all upcoming events. Use NASA's Spot the Station app to receive notifications when the International Space Station is visible. |
Last updated: July 13, 2026