Related Articles
Zion National Park Night Hikes – Utah’s Zion National Park is famous for its stunning scenery and natural wonders — but now it may be gaining more recognition as a great spot for stargazing.
The National Park Service (NPS) and the International Dark Sky Association have certified Zion National Park as an International Dark Sky Park. That new name recognizes the high quality of the night skies above the park, and will provide more opportunities for visitors to enjoy them through programs designed to encourage stargazing. The program is designed to protect the night sky by encouraging responsible outdoor lighting and public education, and helps put Zion on the map as a great place to view the night sky.
Zion National Park Night Hikes
“Zion National Park is committed to preserving the park’s night skies for all future generations and educating visitors about the values of this important resource,” Jeff Bradybaugh, park superintendent, said in a statement.
West Rim Trail Backpacking Guide In Zion National Park
The NPS notes that many people travel to Zion to see the sunset turn its iconic cliffs a beautiful orange. However, the night skies that are visible to visitors and campers can be just as stunning, with even the Milky Way visible. See the park’s stargazing tips here.
The first site within the National Park Service to receive the certification was Utah’s Natural Bridges National Monument back in 2007. Now, Zion joins a number of other sites in Utah that are designated International Dark Sky Sites, including some other National Park Service units. and state parks. Back in December, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota was named a dark sky park, while Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado received the designation in April.
Lonely Planet’s America’s National Parks is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Marvel at the Grand Canyon, paddle the Everglades, and rock climb in Joshua Tree; all with your trusty travel companion.SPRINGDALE, UT – The National Park Service and the International Dark Sky Association are pleased to announce Zion National Park as an International Dark Sky Park. This certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies and provides additional opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy-based interpretive programming. “Zion National Park is committed to preserving the park’s night skies for all future generations and educating visitors about the values of this important resource,” said Jeff Bradybaugh, park superintendent.
The park was supported through the certification process by many partners including the cities of Springdale and Rockville, Kane County Commission, Washington County Commission, Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation, Utah Office of Tourism, Zion National Park Forever Project . , and the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative. Springdale Mayor Mr. Stanley Smith wrote in support of Zion National Park’s designation, “Located just outside the entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale has long had an abiding mutual interest in helping to protect the natural resources of this incredible public land. We appreciates the beauty of our night sky and understands the need to protect it in a cooperative effort. We applaud and wholeheartedly support Zion’s efforts to preserve this ethereal gem.” Zion National Park will continue to work with our partners and others on future dark sky experiences.
Best Hiking Trails In Zion National Park
To recognize this support for dark sky conservation and interpretation, all Ranger led programming during the week of June 7th.
Will focus on promoting Junior Ranger Night Explorer brochures and night sky topics. Please check the Park website for program details, Guard-led Activities – Zion National Park (US National Park Service) ().
There will also be an opportunity to celebrate this certificate virtually. The National Park Service has developed a Junior Ranger Night Explorer program, encouraging young park visitors to explore the starry side of their national parks. Kids can become a Junior Ranger Night Explorer from home by downloading the brochure. During the week of June 7th
, the park will provide Ranger-led activities that the public can do from home and on the park’s social media accounts (Facebook www.facebook.com/zion, Instagram www.instagram.com/zion, and Twitter www.twitter.com/ zion).
Zion Canyon Trail Descriptions
The International Dark Sky Sites Program was founded in 2001 as a non-regulatory and voluntary program to encourage communities, parks and conservation areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible light enforcement and public education. Each International Dark Sky Site follows a rigorous application process that demonstrates robust community support for dark sky certification. The first National Park Service unit to receive the certification was Utah’s own Natural Bridges National Monument in 2007. Today, Zion National Park joins many other National Park Service units and State Parks in Utah as an International Dark Sky Site.
About the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA): IDA’s mission is to preserve and protect the nocturnal environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at www.darksky.org.
If you have any questions, please email zion_park_information@. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Guards answer phone calls from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already talking to someone else. Southern Utah is by far one of the best places for stargazing, due to the fact that there is less light pollution than the more metro areas like Salt Lake. Getting out and into the darker areas of the state can be a lot of fun, exciting and educational! Especially in places like Zion. At Zion Ponderosa you can even enjoy night hiking and exploring under the stars!
Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort is located far from light polluted areas that make those bright stars in the sky brighter than ever! On a clear sky night you can see the milky way as clearly as before. Stargazing becomes dreamlike here in Zion, just as the surrounding landscape attracts its visitors, the night sky here seems to rival those majestic views with bright stars, the amazing Milky Way and wonders of the universe.
Zion National Park: 8 Awesome Trails You Need To Hike
If you really want to get a good look at the night sky, escape the city life during the winter months and camp here overnight, just be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes and bedding. The winter night sky contrasting against the bright white snow covered landscape will amaze you and leave you absolutely speechless. Although, it really isn’t a bad time of year to stargaze, especially in places like Zion where there is so little light pollution.
Another really fun and perspective changing activity is to take full moon night hikes. This is usually done backcountry or up at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch, but is extremely fun and exciting. See the park in a whole new light (literally) as it is illuminated by the moon. There really isn’t anything quite like it, and the views you see become something out of a fairy tale. Just be sure to wear warmer clothes, a headlamp and practice safety at all times so no one gets hurt. Even with the moonlight, the park can be extremely dark and dangerous at night.
You can really ask anyone who has camped overnight in Zion or at Zion Ponderosa and we can almost guarantee they will talk about how beautiful the night sky is here. The stars have raised human interest for as long as we can date. There is almost nothing more interesting and mysterious than the night sky and the universe that surrounds us. So get in touch with the dark side and camp out under a starlit sky. Find constellations and let your mind wander as you gaze at the Milky Way.
Please Note: Most recreational activities are weather dependent and, therefore, may not be available during wet weather and/or cold months. This includes ATV tours, horseback riding, Jeep tours and paintball. Canyoning is available from March to November each year – weather permitting.
The Best Time To Visit Zion National Park
Reservations / Cancellations: We encourage you to make a reservation to guarantee space for you and your group on Zion Ponderosa entertainment adventures. Please note that by reserving your space we have turned away other customers and this cancellation policy protects the resort from monetary loss. Cancellation of reservations within 48 hours of trip departure are non-refundable. We will refund or reschedule if weather conditions prohibit participation in your trip. planned activity Click the link to use our online entertainment booking form.
Staff Lunch Break: Our entertainment staff takes a lunch break from 12:00 noon to 12:45 pm. Guided activities are not available during this time.
** Zion Ponderosa Resort is an exclusive outdoor recreation facility. Weather conditions are monitored daily. Due to bad weather some adventure activities may be changed or cancelled. is it one of the best national parks for stargazing? People are drawn to visit the beautiful natural rock formations, the excellent hiking trails and the chance to see a night sky that is almost completely free of light pollution. Yes, it’s true: one of the best reasons to visit Zion National Park is stargazing.
If you have this experience on your to-do list after a long day of hiking in the park, look no further. After stargazing from Zion National Park in April 2019, I pulled over
Best Family Hikes In Zion National Park
Hikes near zion national park, zion national park hikes narrows, zion national park short hikes, zion national park easy hikes, best hikes zion national park, top hikes zion national park, zion national park hikes, hikes at zion national park, zion national park day hikes, zion national park family hikes, winter hikes zion national park, zion national park guided hikes
