Valles Caldera National Preserve's International Dark Sky Park sign.
Tyler Nordgren
Every month, Valles Caldera National Preserve's rangers and park partners offer a variety of night sky programs. During full moons we offer full moon hikes and during new moons we offer stargazing and astrophotography programs. These programs are posted on the calendar and our Ranger-led Activities webpage. When attending an evening program, please come well prepared with extra layers for warmth, a camp chair (night sky viewing programs), light with a red mode, and smart devices in amber/night mode. There is no running water in the park.
For observing the night sky on your own, there are numerous pullouts along New Mexico State Route 4 that offer sweeping vistas of Valle Grande and unobstructed views of the night sky. As a newer unit of the National Park Service, Valles Caldera is working hard to improve after-hours access. As we move forward into the important stages of planning and responsible development to improve visitor access, our goal is to protect the cultural and natural resources that make this place so special, such as the night sky.
An International Dark Sky Park
Valles Caldera has one of the darkest night skies in the world, and it is a fundamental value that we are determined to protect. As of 2021, Valles Caldera has been declared an official International Dark Sky Park from the International Dark Sky Association.
Learn more about Valles Caldera's designation as an International Dark Sky Park and its continued preservation of naturally dark skies on the Night Sky webpage.
A day in the park doesn't have to end when the sun goes down! A whole new world comes alive at night and is waiting to be explored. The dark sky over City of Rocks is an excellent place to experience the beauty of the night.
Evening programs, typically offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day, offer topics that go beyond the rim! Check the calendar for daily times and locations. This is a Ranger’s Choice program offering an exploration into compelling stories, interesting themes, and unique resources that make Bryce Canyon special.
Typically offered on Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day starting at 9:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Reservations are required to attend the program and can be made at the Visitor Center on the day of the event starting at 8:15 a.m. Experience the dark sky of Bryce Canyon with our telescopes! Rangers will guide you on your magical adventure through the celestial ceiling of our amphitheaters of hoodoos.
Zion is a great place to connect with the night sky, whether you are an avid astrophotographer or this will be your first view of the Milky Way. As an International Dark Sky Park, Zion protects our incredible dark skies for present and future generations by not degrading the night with artificial light. This means that after sunset, the park is very dark. Be prepared!
Black Canyon has exceptional opportunities to view the night skies. Choose overlooks far from the road for optimal stargazing and astrophotography or join one of the park's telescope viewing programs during summer.
Bryce Canyon's high elevation, clean air, and remote location creates some of the darkest skies in the country. In fact, in 2019 Bryce Canyon officially gained International Dark Sky status. During a new Moon on a clear weather night, you can see thousands of stars and the spectacular band of the Milky Way Galaxy shooting across the sky. We take pride in our ability to protect the night skies for the present and future generations.
Come see the night skies at Voyageurs National Park. We have been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park because of the quality of our night skies and our commitment to protecting the sky form light pollution.
The best places to view the night sky at Voyageurs are the Voyageurs Forest Overlook parking area, Kettle Falls Dam, and the Beaver Pond Overlook. If you are up by international Falls there are good viewing locations around the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
