As far as astrotourism goes, Moab is like an A-list celebrity. This Internationally Certified Dark Sky Community mingles with the biggest stars on a nightly basis, and as soon as the desert sun goes down, the glitz and glamor of sparkling night skies come to life.
“In this remote corner of the planet, light pollution is minimal and faint astronomical wonders become naked eye visible objects,” says Devon Salasin, Head Astronomer for Stargazing Moab. “One of the most incredible things to witness through our guided stargazing program is a greater perspective and appreciation for our place in space and time.”
Not only is the town of Moab a certified Dark Sky Community, but it’s surrounded by two International Dark Sky Certified national parks (Arches and Canyonlands), a Dark Sky state park at Dead Horse Point, as well as miles of rugged BLM lands where travelers can get out a picnic blanket, set up a telescope (or simply crane their necks skyward) and find themselves awestruck beneath a canopy of twinkling celestial bodies — just be sure not to bust the delicate cryptobiotic soil. Also of note: in 2026, we’ve entered a rare Celestial Grand Slam, a year where the Solar Maximum, a 13-moon lunar cycle, and the Perseids are all converging.
Because of its scenic high desert location, Moab is a fantastic spot for stargazing at any time of year, thanks to its arid climate, mostly cloud-free skies, and moderate temperatures. In fact, Panorama Point, in Arches, was developed with the expressed purpose of creating the ultimate astronomy base for travelers and locals, with telescope pads and ranger-led star parties. Looking for a multi-day adventure? The just-announced Milky Way Highway traverses one of the prettiest parts of the country, winding from Telluride to Moab with phenomenal dark skies the whole way.
However, the sky-bound marvels that visitors can glimpse change dramatically, depending on the season. Here’s a handy guide to the best stargazing tours and times of year for astrotourism in the artsy hamlet of Moab, Utah.
Summer
“I think the best time for stargazing is June – September; the Milky Way is out all night, and hiking at night is a nice escape from daytime temps,” says Brandon Rise, owner of Moab Dark Sky Tours. Later sunsets also mean that you and your crew can pack in a full day of adventure before sprawling out beneath the stars.
August boasts one of the year's best meteor showers, the Perseids, which typically peak in the middle of the month, during which you can see 50 to 100 meteors per hour as they blaze across Moab’s phenomenally dark skies. Pack a nighttime picnic, a blanket, and a headlamp with a red light setting and head to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset and stargazing – just be sure to exit by 10 PM, when the gates for day visitors close.
Fall
Enjoy chillier evening temps and earlier nightfall during the fall season. As one of Moab’s most popular times to visit, autumn is a great time to book a guided astronomy tour, as trip operators are running many excursions. “Through state-of-the-art telescopes, guests can view the spiral arms of galaxies, the vibrant colors in nebulae, the rings of Saturn, or the moons of Jupiter,” says Salasin.
Prefer to go it alone? Explore Devils Garden in Arches or Island in the Sky in Canyonlands and bring a small telescope from home. No telescope? No problem. The Milky Way and many constellations may be seen with the naked eye. Both are internationally-certified Dark Sky Parks, and in the popular spring and fall months, they often host ranger-led stargazing and astronomy programs that are free to visitors.
Winter
“From late Fall to early Spring, Orion the Hunter is observable at night, including deep-space wonders like the Orion and Horsehead Nebulae,” says Salasin of Moab’s winter wonders. “The Geminids meteor shower in December is the most prolific, producing nearly 150 shooting stars per hour.”
While winter can bring crisp, clear skies, it also requires guests to bundle up against the cold. However, those who brave the brisk weather are often rewarded with incredible views of some of our best-known constellations, like Ursa Major and Gemini.
Spring
Spring in Utah is a glorious affair, with wildflowers popping in the desert and temperatures steadily warming as summer nears. Nearly all tour operators are at the ready to bring astro-curious guests into the wilderness, and later sunsets mean that your family can easily grab dinner in downtown Moab before heading out to stargaze. Though daytime highs hover between the mid-60s and the low-80s, be sure to pack a jacket for evening exploration, as it can quickly become nippy once the sun sets.
Stargazing Tips
Best places to view
Though you’re sure to witness spectacular stars across the entire Moab area, a handful of must-visit astrotourism spots stand out. Panorama Point, in Arches National Park, was designed specially with stargazing in mind, featuring a high bluff with unobstructed views and next-to-no light pollution. Another fab spot in Arches for nighttime photography is The Windows Section, where you can try your hand at capturing the Milky Way rise over towering sandstone arcs. Dead Horse Point State Park often hosts free astronomy presentations and telescope viewings at the visitor center
When to watch
Timing is everything under the night sky. Aim for a new moon (or within three days on either side of one). Even a seemingly slim crescent moon can partially wash out the Milky Way. Check out a moon phase chart for exact dates, plus get accurate sunrise and sunset times, so you can plan your evening down to the minute. And remember: sunlight lingers for quite some time after each day’s forecasted sunset. Plan to be set up for stargazing at least 1 hour after sunset for better visibility.
Be prepared
Though hot daytime temperatures might seem as though they’ll last forever, the desert is a dynamic climate, and once the sun goes down, the temperature can drop fast enough to catch you off guard. Pack a tarp to sit on, a blanket or two, plenty of warm layers, and maybe a thermos of something hot to sip while you wait for a shooting star to streak overhead.
Allow your eyes to adjust
Your sensitive eyes need time to shift into "night mode” (usually 20 to 30 minutes away from lights and phone screens). Resist the urge to check your notifications, as every glance at your screen resets this clock. When you do need light, use a flashlight or headlamp on its red-light setting, which helps to preserve your night vision instead of nuking it.
View responsibly
As tempting as it may be to dramatically backlight a rock formation for your next photo, it's actually prohibited. Artificial light is reserved for finding your footing on the trail or setting up your camp, and it's best to make sure your headlamp has a red light setting, so your eyes stay adjusted as you maneuver in the dark.
Take home a sustainable souvenir
Moab Dark Sky Tours shows serious and amateur photographers alike how to capture incredible photos of the Milky Way, set against the backdrop of Moab’s iconic red rock landscape. “We mostly operate in the Windows Section of Arches National Park,” says Rise.
Learn more about Moab’s incredible night skies here.
We hope to see you out under the twinkling night skies this year!