Dark Sky Passport

Welcome to the Dark Sky Passport

How Does the Dark Sky Passport Work?

  • Go to a Dark Sky Place, or any place where you can see the stars 
  • Enjoy the great outdoors at night and connect with the cosmos
  • Complete the activities in the Dark Sky Passport

  • For each Dark Sky Place you visit:
    • Describe your experience (see pages in the back of the Passport)
    • Stamp your Passport with a Dark Sky Passport Stamp
    • Share your experience with us at the link below to:

Want to order a Dark Sky Passport?

  • Passports can be purchased for $1.00 each (including shipping) and can be ordered here:

Family observing the Neowise Comet over Antelope Island State Park, UT

Family viewing the Neowise Comet over Antelope Island State Park 
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen


Capitol Reef National Park

Milky Way over Capitol Reel National Park  
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

What Is a Dark Sky Place?

Dark Sky Places are parks, communities, and other areas committed to keeping night skies naturally dark by using “night-friendly” outdoor lighting pointing downward and away from neighbors. 

Utah has more certified Dark Sky Places than any other state as recognized by DarkSky International, with 11 National Park units, 10 State Parks, 2 Communities, and 1 County Park.

Utah is famous for spectacular landscapes, an abundance of public land, and amazing dark skies. With good weather, the night skies can cover you in a blanket of stars. Many National and State Parks have astronomy programs that teach about the wonders of the night sky.

Dark Sky Places of Utah

NATIONAL PARKS

Arches NP
Bryce Canyon NP
Canyonlands NP
Capitol Reef NP
Zion NP  

NATIONAL MONUMENTS

Cedar Breaks NM
Dinosaur NM
Hovenweep NM
Natural Bridges NM  
Rainbow Bridge NM
Timpanogos Cave NM

LOCAL PARKS

North Fork Park  

STATE PARKS

Antelope Island SP
Dead Horse Point SP
East Canyon SP
Fremont Indian SP
Goblin Valley SP
Goosenecks SP
Jordanelle SP
Kodachrome Basin SP
Rockport SP
Steinaker SP

COMMUNITIES 

Castle Valley, UT
Helper, UT
Moab, UT
Springdale, UT
Torrey, UT


Map of Dark Sky Places of Utah

 

What dark sky places have you been to?

Planning your Dark Sky Trip

cedar

Night Sky Program at Cedar Breaks National Monument  
Photo Credit: Matthias Schmitt

Finding a Star Party


Petroglyph Site at Freemont Indian State Park

Petroglyph Site at Freemont Indian State Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Come to the Dark Side and Follow the Stars

Star party at Antelope Island State Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park
Photo Credit: Ryan Andreasen

Credits:

Funding for the Dark Sky Passport Program:  USU Extension, Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah Office of Tourism
Program Partners: 
National Park Service, DarkSky International, Utah Division of State Parks
Scientific Illustrator:  Rob Soto (www.rob-soto.com/
Photographers:  Ryan Andreasen, Bettymaya Foott, Matthias Schmitt