Zion National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park and one of the most spectacular places in the United States to view the stars. Conservation in Utah is taken very seriously and the state has the highest concentration of dark sky parks in the world. With the amount of incredible places to view the stars in Utah, anytime of the year is a great time for stargazing in Zion. Whether you want to brave the winters in Southern Utah or take on the summer heat in Zion, you will surely see a spectacular show of planets, cosmos and constellations any time of the year.
Spring: Prime Stargazing Season in Zion
The best time to go stargazing in Zion is the spring, when the weather is warm, crowds are minimal and one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year happens, the Lyrids Meteor Shower. This usually peaks around late April and can produce around 20 meteors per hour. For the best views of the Lyrids Meteor Shower, head to dark-sky locations like Kolob Canyon or the Pa’rus Trail after midnight, when the meteors are most visible. To make the most of spring stargazing in Zion, book a professional stargazing experience.
Summer: Best Time to See the Milky Way in Utah
If you are hoping to see the best views of the Milky Way in Utah, summer nights are the perfect time to take in the galaxy's splendor. Besides incredible views of the milky way, the Perseids Meteor Shower in August is another popular meteor shower which attracts astronomers and stargazing enthusiasts from all over the country. Summer near Zion is a popular time for stargazing and brings in more tourists, but it provides a great opportunity to meet other astronomers, astrophotographers and join in on some stargazing events in Southern Utah, such as the Annual Astronomy Festival in Bryce Canyon.
Fall: Tranquility & The Draconids Meteor Shower
In the Fall, there are fewer crowds and the cooler air brings a sense of tranquility and peacefulness to Zion National Park. Although the evenings may be chilly, stargazing in Zion in the Fall provides a stunning show. The Draconids Meteor Shower in October brings an abundance of meteors that peak after midnight and some favorite constellations such as Pegasus, Andromeda, and the Great Square pop in the sky this time of year.
Winter: A Crisp, Cosmic Wonderland
If you want to brave the cold and enjoy stargazing in Utah during the winter, the clear skies and quiet surroundings make it an optimal time. The most dazzling meteor shower of the year, the Geminids Meteor Shower peaks in December and can produce around 100 meteors an hour. Constellations such as Orion, Taurus and Gemini stand out during the winter as well and the long nights and calming energy of the desert this time of year is the perfect setting for connecting with the stars in Zion.
April: Dark Sky Month in Utah
April in Utah is Dark Sky Month, celebrating the state’s commitment to preserving its pristine night skies. Utah is becoming known for astrotourism and this month is full of a variety of events and initiatives to bring awareness about the impact of light pollution. During April, Zion National Park and the other Dark Sky Parks in Utah focus on stargazing events and activities such as night hikes, ranger talks and star parties. Throughout the state, there are a variety of events, educational opportunities and encouragement to get outside and enjoy the stars and planets in the darkest skies of Utah. April is the absolute best time for stargazing in Utah and the thrill of the Lyriads Meteor Shower and the dark skies brings an abundance of people interested in astrotourism to the state of Utah.
Dark Sky Conservation in Utah
With the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Parks in the world, Utah is committed to preserving the darkest skies in the country. Utah focuses on preserving the nighttime environment and shielding communities from the negative impacts of light pollution through education, advocacy, and conservation efforts. Some ways Utah is protecting their dark skies is by implementing lighting ordinances in towns and providing public education to reduce light pollution around the state. Zion National Park has done an excellent job at reducing light pollution by replacing many light fixtures with dark-sky-friendly lighting.
As the steady flow of tourism increases in Zion and other parts of Utah, more people are learning about the incredible celestial events and becoming more interested in astrotourism in Utah. The night skies are a magical phenomenon that reminds us of the importance of dark sky conservation in Utah. If you are planning to visit Utah for astrotourism, consider booking a stargazing tour in Zion with Stargazing Zion. This will provide an incredible evening of viewing the stars, planets and cosmos under state-of-the-art telescopes in some of the darkest skies around.
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