Stars fill the sky above the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Dinosaur National Monument/NPS, Jacob Holgerson

With the growing popularity in star gazing, more and more national park units are being recognized for their dark night skies, and more interpretive programs are rising over the National Park System.

At Dinosaur National Monument, which straddles the northern Utah-Colorado border, the International Dark Sky Association just designated the monument as a Dark Sky Park. This distinction recognizes the skies above Dinosaur as having an exceptional quality of natural darkness while efforts on the ground actively contribute to enjoyment and protection of dark skies for future generations. So if you needed a reason beyond the incredible trove of fossilized dinosaur remains at the monument to visit, the night skies are another to leave illuminated cities behind for the clear, starry skies over Dinosaur.

The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks, and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting polices and public education. Dinosaur now joins more than 100 locations that have followed a rigorous application process that demonstrates robust community support for dark sky protection and documents designation-specific program requirements.

“We are proud of this accomplishment,” said Dinosaur National Monument Superintendent Paul Scolari, “and we’re committed to continuing to work with surrounding communities to uphold the high standard set by the IDA in order to protect the magnificence of the night sky in our region moving forward.”

Dinosaur National Monument spans nearly 211,000 acres across high desert peaks and river canyons in northeast Utah and northwest Colorado. Dinosaur's location near U.S. Highway 40, between Salt Lake City and Denver, puts it within an easy day’s drive of millions of people who can no longer see the Milky Way from their backyards because of increased light pollution.

“Visitors from around the world are finding that star filled skies at Dinosaur are often as novel and awe-inspiring as fossil filled rocks,” said Ranger Sonya Popelka. “Residents of rural areas and avid campers may have more experience with natural cycles of the sun, moon, and stars. Urban residents may find a stargazing program or guided night hike in a park setting to be their first experience with true darkness. Our goal is to invite everyone to learn about and enjoy the benefits of nights without too much artificial light. And, with a few simple tips for adopting night-sky friendly lighting in their own communities, they can bring that starry view home with them.”

The monument’s 2019 public program schedule includes 35 opportunities to explore Dinosaur’s dark side, starting with a special presentation from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 4 outside the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Join rangers and volunteers for a tour of the sky, participate in dark sky measurements as citizen scientists, and evaluate different outdoor lighting options. Limited parking is available in the upper lot at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, overflow parking is available in lower lots.

A stargazing program at the Gates of Lodore on June 8 and a full moon hike in Echo Park on June 17 commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the John Wesley Powell Expedition. The regular line-up of night sky programs at Dinosaur from June 24 through September 13 includes Stargazing with Telescopes, Night Sky for the Naked Eye, Night Hikes Under Moonlight, and the annual Skies Over Dinosaur Astronomy Festival. Details for these and other programs can be found on the Guided Tours and Calendar of Events pages on the monument’s website.

“Our ranger staff is developing a terrific program line-up, so when the sun starts to scorch, come out to Dinosaur on a cool night and check out the marvels the sky has to offer,” said Scolari.

Meanwhile, El Morro National Monument in New Mexico will host a special program on Zuni cosmology on May 10. The event will be held at the Old School Gallery, located on Highway 53 at mile marker 46, 1 mile east of El Morro National Monument and 42 miles south and west of Grants, New Mexico, and Interstate 40.

Presenter Kenny Bowekaty from the Zuni Pueblo Department of Tourism will interpret and discuss the significance of the summer constellations and stars. You're invited to listen to a cultural narrative and explore unique spiritual connections to the night sky. The program is free and begins at 8 p.m. inside the gallery. After the presentation, the program will move outside. Participants should bring extra layers and a red flashlight for the outdoor constellation tour and telescope viewing. The program should end at approximately 10 p.m. The outdoor portion of this program may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Parking is available in front of the Old School Gallery and along Highway 53. For more information, call the El Morro Visitor Center at 505-783-4226 ext. 801.

To understand more about dark night skies over the National Park System, listen to the Park Service's "Dark Ranger" on this Traveler podcast.