See the incredible night skies at Snow Canyon State Park. (Photo credit: Paul Ricketts)
Snow Canyon State Park is now officially an International Dark Sky Destination. DarkSky International designated Snow Canyon as an Urban Night Sky Place after the park staff’s extensive work to ensure dark-sky-friendly lighting, dark sky educational programs, and accessible opportunities for visitors to experience the night sky.
“Our park staff are very passionate about conserving dark skies,” Snow Canyon Park Manager Kristen Comella said. “It’s satisfying to see all of our efforts come together and become a part of the DarkSky community. We are so grateful.”
Working Towards Designation
Park staff worked for years to reach this dark sky designation to benefit visitors, improve nocturnal ecosystems, and provide wonder and enjoyment for this and future generations.
“This is a sanctuary for so many unique species. I am ecstatic that we are able to actively protect dark skies for current and future generations,” said Cheyenne Winchester, Snow Canyon’s Park Naturalist.
Park staff modified existing lights to achieve 100% dark-sky-friendly compliance. All future lighting projects, either from the park or their concessionaires, will conform to the Utah State Parks’ Lightscape Management Plan, as well as DarkSky International’s lighting standards.
Rangers also offer interpretive and educational night sky programs for park visitors and schools to teach the importance of preserving the night sky.
Snow Canyon staff will continue to develop affiliations with the four certified DarkSky locations within 62 miles (100 kilometers) of Snow Canyon State Park: Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Pipe Spring National Monument, and the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.
Background
Utah has the highest concentration of DarkSky International-certified areas in the world. Dark skies are just one of the resources Utah State Parks preserves and provides for the enjoyment of Utahns and anyone visiting the state. Beyond DarkSky designations, state parks across Utah provide exceptional night skies for visitors to enjoy.
Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary initiative encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. Artificial light, when used indiscriminately, can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe.
Snow Canyon State Park now joins more than 250 International Dark Sky Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and continue to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more at darksky.org.
