Stargazing Around St. George: Where to Find Dark Skies
Get a little away from town and the sky here is spectacular. Where to find dark skies around St. George, and how to make the most of them.
One of the quiet perks of Southern Utah is what happens after the sun goes down. Get a little away from town and the sky here is genuinely spectacular: the Milky Way, meteor showers, the works. Here is where to look up.
Kayenta and Ivins
The community of Kayenta out in Ivins is famous for having no streetlights, on purpose, and the dark skies show it. You do not have to live there to enjoy it; just drive out west of town, away from the glow, and let your eyes adjust.
Snow Canyon and out west
Snow Canyon after dark, or anywhere out toward Gunlock and the west desert, gets you away from city light fast. Ten or fifteen minutes of driving makes a huge difference. A pullout with a clear horizon and no headlights is all you need.
Up high: Pine Valley
For the darkest skies of all, drive up into the Pine Valley Mountains. Higher, drier air and true distance from town make for the kind of star field people forget exists.
How to do it
Go on a night near the new moon, when the sky is darkest. Give your eyes a solid 20 minutes to adjust and keep the phone off. Bring a red flashlight, a chair, and a jacket, because the desert cools off fast once the sun is down. A simple stargazing app helps you find things, and summer nights are the warmest for it.
You do not need equipment. Out here, the naked eye is plenty.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go stargazing near St. George?
Drive west toward Ivins and Kayenta (known for its dark, no-streetlight skies), out toward Gunlock, or up into the Pine Valley Mountains. Even 10 to 15 minutes away from city light makes a big difference.
When is the best time to stargaze in St. George?
On a clear night near the new moon, when the sky is darkest. Give your eyes about 20 minutes to adjust, and bring a jacket since the desert cools off fast.