Utah’s Night Skies Come Alive During These 2026 Winter Stargazing Events

Utah is beautiful during the day, but it puts on a breathtaking display at night, too. Not only are all of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks certified International Dark Sky Parks, but so are 10 state parks, six national monuments, one county park, and four International Dark Sky Communities. Out of the 200 Dark Sky Places across the world, Utah’s 26 locations account for 13% of the total official Dark Sky Places in the world. More than any other place! Utah was actually home to the first international Dark Sky Park—National Bridges National Monument. So naturally, stargazing in Utah is one of the best things to do!

There are plenty of star-watching parties in Utah. Most of our state parks offer monthly events that range from stargazing, moonlit snowshoe hikes, meteor shower parties, and more. Basically, if something is happening in the sky, there’s a Dark Sky Place in Utah hosting an event.

Here are some upcoming stargazing events in Utah to keep an eye on:

• Snow Canyon State Park: January 17, 2026, 6:30 pm.
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: March 21, 2026, 8:30 pm.
• Wasatch Mountain State Park: April 17, 2026, 7 pm.

Expect many more events to come in 2026, though. Not all of the Dark Sky parks have updated their events calendar for 2026. You can use the Utah State Park website to find stargazing events near you. Plus, there are plenty of other celestial activities you can enjoy in Utah (more below!)

Stargazing at Bryce Canyon is a bucket list opportunity for many. You can join one of the Ranger-leg telescope programs or head out on your own. One of my favorite meteor showers is the Perseid meteor shower in the fall. Make plans to find yourself in a dark sky in the middle of August and thank me later. 

Of course, all of these events are weather-dependent. A cloudy night will definitely take the wind out of your sails. Because of this, I’d recommend staying at a remote cabin for a few days to increase the chances of a clear night sky. This dome in Kenab checks off all the boxes, and you can go stargazing right out the back door!

Whether you join a Ranger-led stargazing event or want to venture out on your own, you’ll want to come prepared. Many folks like to bring chairs out, but I’d honestly recommend a blanket and a pillow so you can lie down; the strain on your neck after a while can be irritating. If you’re planning on photographing the night sky, you’ll want a sturdy tripod for long exposure shots. 

Since you’ll need about 20 minutes to let your eyes adjust to the darkness, having a red-light flashlight is key. Bright flashlights are a great way to make enemies for astrophotography, so leave them at home. I’d also highly recommend getting yourself a headlamp. I held off on buying one for the longest time, which was just silly because they’re so cheap and they free up my hands. Using the red light mode preserves your night vision while still allowing you to fiddle with camera settings (or rummage through your gear for those snacks).

If you live in Utah or are visiting, make sure to check out these stargazing opportunities and events. And if you need help planning the perfect trip, head over to our itinerary planner.