Are you a stargazer? Utah is home to over a dozen certified International Dark Sky places which provide for some ultimate stargazing in Utah!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":26893,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,8,197,142],"tags":[],"blog_locations":[9764],"class_list":["post-26913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-how-to-resources","category-national-parks","category-trip-ideas-guides","blog_locations-salt-lake-city"],"acf":{"title":"","sub_title":"","title_tag":false,"background_image":{"ID":26893,"id":26893,"title":"_MG_2542","filename":"MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209.jpg","filesize":65896,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/en-gb\/blog\/stargazing-in-utah\/_mg_2542\/","alt":"Escape Campervan under starlight","author":"53","description":"","caption":"A peaceful view during a night of stargazing in Utah.","name":"_mg_2542","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":26913,"date":"2020-03-05 17:18:24","modified":"2020-03-05 17:32:14","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":975,"height":382,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209-300x118.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":118,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209-768x301.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":301,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-1536x1024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-2048x1365.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-1200x800.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":800,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":118,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":157,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2542-scaled-e1583429527209.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":235}},"title_color":"dark","add_overlay":[],"override_global_post_advertising":"no","content_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":26898,"id":26898,"title":"_MG_2543 (2)","filename":"MG_2543-2-scaled.jpg","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-scaled.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/en-gb\/blog\/stargazing-in-utah\/_mg_2543-2\/","alt":"Escape Campervan under the Stars","author":"53","description":"","caption":"Stargazing in Utah in an Escape Campervan provides a breathtaking experience.","name":"_mg_2543-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":26913,"date":"2020-03-05 17:18:45","modified":"2020-03-05 17:36:23","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":975,"height":650,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-1536x1024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-2048x1365.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-1200x800.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":800,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":200,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":267,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/MG_2543-2-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":400}},"image_link":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":"
Exploring the Southwestern United States in an <\/span>Escape Campervan<\/span><\/a> will drive you to some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes on Earth;\u00a0 perhaps none more so than Utah.\u00a0 With its canyon walls, desert arches, and higher elevation forests there is something for everyone in every season.\u00a0 \u00a0While the scenery is certainly stunning in the daylight, something special happens once the sun goes down and you can enjoy stargazing in Utah at its best.<\/span><\/p>\n Stargazers and Astronomers rejoice – Utah is home to over a dozen certified <\/span>International Dark Sky places<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0An International Dark Sky Park “is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and\/or public enjoyment”.\u00a0 \u00a0Head out from the<\/span>\u00a0camper van rental site in Salt Lake City<\/a> to check out <\/span>these must-see stops<\/span><\/a> for some daytime adventuring and night-time <\/span>stargazing in Utah.<\/span><\/p>\n 3 1\/2 hours from the Salt Lake City depot, <\/span>Goblin Valley <\/span><\/a>is home to unique sandstone hoodoo-like formations known as goblins.\u00a0During the day, Goblin Valley State Park offers hiking, mountain biking, and canyoneering for outdoor adventurers. \u00a0 At night, however, the skies are the star of the show for <\/span>stargazing in Utah<\/span>, so be sure to plan on spending the night in the 25 site campground here.\u00a0 Goblin Valley was designated an international dark sky park in 2016 and offers nighttime ranger-led programming every month.<\/span><\/p>\n Arches National Park<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Canyonlands National Park<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Dead Horse Point State Park <\/span><\/a>are all officially certified international dark sky parks in the Moab area.\u00a0 There is camping available at all of the parks, and <\/span>ranger-led stargazing programs <\/span><\/a>rotate between the areas.\u00a0 During the day, hiking trails abound in all 3 areas, with mountain biking available in Dead Horse Point as well.\u00a0 At night all of the parks have campgrounds;\u00a0 park your van, settle in, and look up!\u00a0 The further from\u00a0civilization\u00a0(aka park buildings, etc) you go, the better your view of the night sky will be.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":26908,"id":26908,"title":"Escape-1 copy","filename":"Escape-1-copy-scaled.jpg","filesize":866047,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-scaled.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/en-gb\/blog\/stargazing-in-utah\/escape-1-copy\/","alt":"Escape Campervan Under the Night Sky","author":"53","description":"","caption":"Spending the night under the open sky in Utah is a once in a lifetime experience.","name":"escape-1-copy","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":26913,"date":"2020-03-05 17:19:19","modified":"2020-03-05 17:29:12","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2560,"height":1964,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-300x230.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":230,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-768x589.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":589,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-1024x785.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":785,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-1536x1178.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1178,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-2048x1571.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1571,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-1200x920.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":920,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":230,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":307,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Escape-1-copy-scaled.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":460}},"image_link":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":" Head further south from the Moab area for some seclusion in <\/span>Natural Bridges National Monument<\/span><\/a> – \u00a0the first national monument and the world’s first international dark sky park for <\/span>stargazing in Utah<\/span>. Ditch crowds (and cell phone service) and enjoy hiking among the large arch-like bridges.\u00a0\u00a0At night set up camp in the 13-space campground or hit the trails to enjoy the views of the stars above.\u00a0 Rangers hold interpretive astronomy discussions and educational sessions for those interested in an educated stargazing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n Moving over to southwestern Utah, <\/span>Capitol Reef National\u00a0Park<\/span><\/a> is another of Utah’s International Dark Sky Parks.\u00a0 During the day, enjoy hiking and take in sites such as ancient petroglyphs or head out canyoneering in the many slot canyons.\u00a0 At night enjoy crystal clear views of the night sky, and take in a ranger-led star talk or full moonwalk from June-October.<\/span><\/p>\n Bryce Canyon <\/span><\/a>is home to the unmistakably unique landscape of hoodoos, with pointed rock spires rising up from the amphitheater and surrounded by alpine forest.\u00a0 In the daylight, explore the trails on foot, or via horseback.\u00a0 At night, join in on one of the numerous astronomy programs (there are around 100 programs a year) to learn more about the stars, planets, and constellations you are viewing.\u00a0 Really love the night skies?\u00a0 Visit Bryce Canyon in June for their annual <\/span>astronomy festival<\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 Enjoy 4 days of themed discussions and programs led by Bryce Canyon’s Astronomy Rangers and local Astronomical Societies.<\/span><\/p>\n A one hour drive north of Salt Lake City will bring you to <\/span>Antelope Island State Park<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 In addition to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping, the park is also host to Utah’s largest <\/span>free-roaming\u00a0bison herd<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Camping is available year-round so you can easily enjoy daytime recreation and the <\/span>nighttime dark sky<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 At night, the park offers astronomy programs and during the summer months partners with the <\/span>Ogden Astronomical Society <\/span><\/a>for “star parties”.<\/span><\/p>\n About 3 1\/2 hours east of Salt Lake City sits <\/span>Dinosaur National Monument<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Straddling the border of Utah and Colorado, this park is a science lover’s dream come true!\u00a0 There is camping, hiking, and river rafting to satisfy the adventure seekers out there.\u00a0 History buffs and budding paleontologists can seek out petroglyphs or explore fossils in the <\/span>Quarry Exhibit Hall<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0At night put on your astronomer cap and take advantage of the lack of light pollution in this <\/span>Dark Sky Park<\/span><\/a>. Visitors will be treated to clear views of the Milky Way galaxy and thousands of other stars in the sky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These are just a few of the many spectacular places to enjoy stargazing on some of our public lands.\u00a0 Interested in seeking out more starry nights in your Escape Campervan?\u00a0 Check out this map of the <\/span>International Dark-Sky Places<\/span><\/a> to find certified Dark Sky communities, parks, and places near some of the other\u00a0Escape camper van rental locations <\/a><\/span>– The sky’s the limit!\u00a0 <\/span>Book your Escape Campervan<\/span><\/a> now and head out on the trip of a lifetime… and don’t forget to pause and look up once the sun goes down and do some <\/span>stargazing in Utah<\/span>!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":26903,"id":26903,"title":"Canadian Rockies 2019","filename":"Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","filesize":146450,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/en-gb\/blog\/stargazing-in-utah\/canadian-rockies-2019-11\/","alt":"Escape Campervan in the Canadian Rockies","author":"53","description":"","caption":"The Canadian Rockies is the place for mesmerizing scenery.","name":"canadian-rockies-2019-11","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":26913,"date":"2020-03-05 17:19:01","modified":"2020-03-05 17:29:12","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":975,"height":650,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-1536x1024.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","2048x2048-width":975,"2048x2048-height":650,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT-1200x800.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":800,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":200,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":267,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Entwistle_20190416_Canadian-Rockies_760webres_EPICNIGHT.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":400}},"image_link":""}]},"yoast_head":"\nGoblin Valley State Park\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
3 Dark Sky Parks for s<\/span>targazing in Moab, Utah<\/span><\/h2>\n
Natural Bridges National Monument<\/span><\/h2>\n
Capitol Reef National Park\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Bryce Canyon National Park<\/span><\/h2>\n
Antelope Island State Park<\/span><\/h2>\n
Dinosaur National Monument<\/span><\/h2>\n