Most people come to Zion during the day for the usual activities such as hiking, sightseeing, and cycling. But you can also do your Zion exploration at night, and some of the best activities while it’s dark include stargazing.
There’s some natural visibility in Zion at night, and it’s especially luminous if the moon is out. The light is enough for Zion to take on a completely new and exciting shade. If you’ve already explored Zion during the day and have done the usual round of activities, and are still game for more, then this article is for you.
In this guide, we’ll talk about everything you need to know for stargazing in Zion.
Stargazing Spots
Zion National Park is a certified Dark Sky Park. This means that it’s one of the areas in the world where the sky is so clear that you have complete access to the stars. Zion National Park received its certification in 2021 and has since started attracting numerous space enthusiasts to its canyons.
The Pa’rus Trail
You can head over to the Pa’rus Trail if you’re looking for the most accessible and easy spot to begin your night sky explorations. The Pa’rus trail is around 1.7 miles long, and it runs beside the Virgin River. It’s a multi-use pathway that provides complete and unobstructed views of the entire southern sky.
On either side of your view, you will find the Watchman cliff and the Great White Throne that add to the beauty of the spot. You can simply park your car at the Zion Visitor Centre and walk your way to the trail, which is quite close by.
Kolob Canyons
Kolob Canyons offers the darkest skies in Zion. You need to let your eyes adjust to the darkness for around half an hour. You’ll be surprised at how many new stars appear in the sky, which weren’t visible before.
Kolob Canyons is located towards the northwestern end of the park, and it’s a short drive away from the main entrance. Kolob Canyons is an excellent spot because it is shielded from the light pollution of Springdale and St. George.
Guidelines on Stargazing in Zion
There are some do’s and don’ts that can help make the most of your nighttime explorations. You should remember to pack some layers, because while the days can be quite warm, the nights become chilly, and you’ll feel the need for a jacket.
There are no outlets that can serve food within Zion at night. So you need to pack all your eatables and bring them with you for your picnic.
Ideally, you should completely avoid using your smartphone before or during stargazing for at least thirty minutes. This is because your smartphone emits white light, which will prevent your eyes from seeing the stars.
You can wrap a red light paper on your phone, or you can use an app to ensure that your screen only emits red light. You need to similarly take precautions against any other sources of light, such as your car headlights.
Time of the Year
The time of the year has a considerable impact on the night sky. Since the Earth revolves, the stars and constellations that are visible during the summer are completely different from the stars and constellations that can be seen in winter. During summer, you’ll be looking towards the centre of the Milky Way, while during winter, you’ll be looking outwards.
Some of the brightest stars can be seen during winter. This is because you can see stars that are part of our local branch of the Milky Way.
You can expect to see meteors or shooting stars at any time of the year, however, they are relatively rare.
Where to Stay?
If you’re looking to closely explore Zion National Park, then it’s best to stay somewhere close by. Watchman Villas is conveniently located in Springdale, and we’re just a one-mile drive to the southern entrance of the park. There’s a public shuttle that will enable you to get from our villas to Zion National Park, or you can book your own vehicle.
You have the option of choosing between 5 bespoke villas, each with its own advantages. The villas are well-appointed and come with numerous amenities such as a smart television, hot tubs, and a fully-equipped television. In total, we offer around 20+ services to our guests.
You can also find a lot to do in the area, such as horseback riding, bird watching, boating, eco-tourism, just to name a few.
Wrapping Up
Stargazing is one of the best activities available in Zion. It’s a certified Dark Sky Park which makes it one of the rare spots on earth where you can find a completely clear sky. You can bring a telescope along, or you can also hire a private astronomer who will talk you through what you’re seeing.
You can reach out to us if you want to know more about staying at Watchman Villas, while you check Zion National Park off the bucket list.
