This Remote Little Town In Utah Is One Of The Darkest Places In The Nation

Did you know that Utah is home to ten International Dark Sky Parks? The designation is given to places with very low light pollution, which means that thousands of stars are visible after the sun goes down. One of Utah's little towns earned the designation as an International Dark Sky Community earlier this year, making it the first town in Utah to have that honor.

The little community of Torrey has fewer than 200 residents. It's a quiet, rural place that enjoys being surrounded by some of the Beehive State's most incredible scenery.

The town was just named as an International Dark Sky Community. To earn the honor, it implemented a new outdoor lighting ordinance, and invested funds to change out lightbulbs around town and install lighting shields on fixtures so that light is directed down instead of spreading out into the skies above town.

Torrey is considered the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, which is just eight miles from town.

Capitol Reef National Park was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2015.

When the sun goes down, the skies above the park are filled with stars.

Now that the new ordinances are in effect, the streetlights and neon business lights are no longer polluting the sky with light above Torrey...

...and residents can enjoy views like this from their own backyards.

Are you more likely to visit Torrey now that you know about its Dark Sky Community designation?

If you love stargazing, you'll definitely want to visit more of the Beehive State's dark sky places. Here's an enchanting star park that will let you experience Utah like never before.