Free Stargazing Festivals in U.S. National Parks This Summer

While the 63 national parks in the United States are stunning during the day, they reveal a breathtaking transformation at night when the sun sets. These expansive areas, often distant from urban light pollution and designated as dark-sky preserves, offer a magnificent view of the stars. To honor the night sky, many parks host festivals and evening programs that educate visitors about celestial wonders.

Here’s what you should know about four of the largest astronomy celebrations in the national parks of the United States.

Grand Canyon National Park Star Party

Every summer, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona invites guests to witness a spectacular display of “planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies” above some of the oldest exposed rock formations on the planet during its Star Party, scheduled for June 10 to June 17, 2023.

Events kick off on both the North and South Rims at 8 p.m., though the National Park Service recommends that the best views occur after 9 p.m.

“The skies will be clear and dark until the moon rises on the first night, after which it will rise progressively later throughout the Star Party week,” the NPS noted on its website.

Each evening, park rangers on the South Rim will conduct constellation tours at 9, 9:30, and 10 p.m., and a night sky photography workshop will be held at 9:30 p.m. Throughout the week, various speakers are scheduled to deliver nightly presentations at 8 p.m., beginning with park ranger Ravis Henry, who will explore how stars are perceived in Navajo culture. Other presenters include NASA scientist Julie McEnery on June 11, discussing the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope set to launch in May 2027, and Dr. Vishnu Reedy from the University of Arizona on June 14, who will address how astronomers handle the risks of meteor impacts.

At the North Rim, the Saguaro Astronomy Club from Phoenix, Arizona, will set up telescopes on the Grand Canyon Lodge porch, assisting visitors in spotting constellations.

Bryce Canyon National Park Astronomy Festival

Scheduled for June 14 to June 17 this year, Bryce Canyon’s Astronomy Festival in southern Utah coincides with the new moon, providing optimal visibility for stars, planets, and meteorites.

Every evening, volunteers from the Salt Lake Astronomical Society will bring their telescopes for nightly stargazing sessions starting at 10 p.m. near the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center.

The festival will also feature “evening lectures by top academics in astronomy, alongside park staff and planetarium educators who will share their insights and research exploring the origins of stars and the universe.” Notable speakers will include Planetarium Educator Dr. Amy Sayle, discussing star legends (June 14 and 15 at 8:30 p.m.); former Northern Arizona University professor Dr. David W. Koerner, presenting on cultural astronomy and the arts (June 15 at 9 p.m.); and astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren, who will reveal the wonders of eclipses (June 17 at 8:30 p.m.).

All sessions are complimentary, but some events, such as the various lectures, necessitate reservations, which can be secured at the visitor center in the days leading up to the festival. It’s advisable to register early, as this year’s event coincides with Bryce Canyon’s centennial celebration, a period expected to attract more visitors than usual to the park.

Badlands National Park Astronomy Festival

In 2023, the annual Astronomy Festival at Badlands National Park, organized in collaboration with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, will occur from July 14 to July 16 in this South Dakota park.

According to the National Park Service, “Both beginners and seasoned astronomers will revel in the stunningly dark night skies of Badlands National Park during public star parties held each evening. Each afternoon, a range of family-friendly activities will offer visitors chances to learn about the night sky, the sun, and the wonders of space exploration.”

Astronomers and their telescopes from the Black Hills Astronomical Society, Badlands National Park, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours, and the University of Utah will be present throughout the festival to guide guests in both daytime and nighttime observations.

Each evening at 9 p.m., lectures will commence, beginning with a comprehensive discussion on NASA’s space telescopes featuring NASA scientist Tom Durkin on the 29th, followed by an exploration of Lakota Tribal beliefs regarding stars with Megan Ostrenga from The Journey Museum in Rapid City on the 30th, and concluding with a family-oriented presentation about the universe led by Kevin Poe from Dark Ranger Telescope Tours on the 31st.

Further events will be announced as the festival approaches.

Shenandoah National Park Night Sky Festival

Currently, only the dates for Shenandoah’s Night Sky Festival in Virginia have been revealed: August 11 to August 13. According to the National Park Service, this three-day celebration will feature “stargazing, ranger talks, activities for kids, and guest presentations covering topics such as space weather, space travel, and our future in space.”

Other Dark Sky Festivals happening this year include:

• Great Basin National Park Astronomy Festival: The event in this Nevada park is scheduled for September 14-16.
• Glacier National Park: The specific dates for this year’s astronomy event in Montana have yet to be announced.

What are the ways to participate in the national park astronomy festivals?

Admission to all events at the astronomy festivals is free, but attendees must still pay the park entrance fee. At Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, fees are $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot, bicycle, or park shuttle. For Badlands and Shenandoah, the fees are $30, $25, and $15, respectively. Entrance passes can be purchased online or at the park entrance.