SALT LAKE CITY — For the 6th year in a row, Utah Governor Spencer Cox has declared April Dark Sky Month as a statewide celebration of Utah’s world-renowned night skies. Utah is home to the darkest skies on Earth and currently leads the world in dark sky preservation with 28 accredited DarkSky International Places.
This 2026’s celebration also marks the recent designations of Snow Canyon State Park as an International Dark Sky Park and Bluff as an International Dark Sky Community, expanding Utah’s network of protected night skies and offering visitors another spectacular location for stargazing in southern Utah.
“Utah’s dark skies are an extraordinary natural resource and a major motivator for travelers to engage in immersive experiences and book overnight stays in our destinations. Astrotourism messaging aligns with our vision and strategy to build a long-lasting, dynamic visitor economy. Utah State Parks, national parks, and local communities continue to show tremendous leadership in prioritizing night sky preservation and offering unique year-round programs for both residents and visitors.” -Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film
Looking for a night sky adventure in Utah? Join Utah State Parks for their first-ever statewide Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt to get Utahns under the stars for a chance to win a night stay at one of Utah’s 46 state parks. And all participants who complete the scavenger hunt win an exclusive night sky collector’s pin. (MORE INFO BELOW)
A unique natural resource, Utah’s dark skies have proven to be a reliable revenue generator for the state. Astrotourism could generate an estimated $5.8 billion in spending on the Colorado Plateau and support more than 113,000 jobs over the next decade.
Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt: How it Works
Utah State Parks Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt
The Utah State Parks Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt is for explorers ready to head out into our state parks to see the incredible night skies our state has to offer. To complete the scavenger hunt, participants must:
- Go to four different dark sky programs hosted by Utah State Parks within the month of April, visiting at least two different regions.
- Reference the state parks map on this webpage to determine which region a program is in.
- Receive a stamp or signature on a Utah State Parks stamp card from a park ranger to verify each location and program you attended.
- At your first dark sky program, pick up a stamp card.
- Bring this card with you throughout the scavenger hunt to receive stamps, signatures, and riddles at each stop.
- Solve four different dark sky riddles.
- You will receive each riddle at a dark sky program coordinating with the number stop on your scavenger hunt.
- Hint! Each answer will be something in the night sky.
- Answers can include night sky categories such as celestial objects, night sky phenomena, constellations, etc.
- The answer will have a specific name. For example, “a star” would not be an accepted answer, rather it would have to be the name of a specific star.
- Hint! Each answer will be something in the night sky.
- You will receive each riddle at a dark sky program coordinating with the number stop on your scavenger hunt.
The first person to go to four dark sky programs, visiting at least two regions, and to solve the four riddles will receive a free one-night stay at any state park! Once you’ve completed the scavenger hunt and think you know the answers to all the riddles, send a photo of yourself with your filled-out stamp card and the answers to all of the riddles to parkcomment@utah.gov. Title the email “Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt Submission”. Each participant can submit three entries. The winner will be announced on our social media pages and on this webpage to alert participants.
Not the fastest? No worries! Anyone who completes the scavenger hunt by going to four locations can receive an exclusive night skies collector’s pin! Participants can pick up their free pin by showing their completed stamp cards at these locations:
- The Natural Resources Map & Bookstore
- 1594 W North Temple St 1st Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
- Utah State Parks East Region Office
- 1165 S. Highway 191, Ste. 7; Moab, UT 84532
- Utah State Parks Southwest Region Office
- 646 N. Main Street; Cedar City, UT, 84721
Junior Ranger Dark Sky Discovery Activity
For our younger participants, or aFor our younger participants, or anyone who prefers a less rigorous riddle but still loves the night skies, we’re also hosting a Junior Ranger Dark Sky Scavenger Hunt! Those who complete this activity will receive a Junior Dark Sky Ranger certificate.
This scavenger hunt requires participants to:
- Go to two night sky programs anywhere in the state in April, signified by a stamp or signature from a ranger on a stamp card received at a dark sky program.
- Solve two clues, received at the programs you attend.
Every person who completes this activity will receive a Junior Dark Sky Ranger certificate!
Additional Rules and Requirements
Participants must attend four Utah State Park programs that specifically focus on dark skies. Going to a state park without attending a dark sky programs or going to a park program that does not focus on dark skies will not count as a one of the locations on the stamp cards. Two of those events must be in different regions of the state. Examples could look like:Participants must attend four Utah State Park programs that specifically focus on dark skies. Going to a state park without attending a dark sky program or going to a park program that does not focus on dark skies will not count as one of the locations on the stamp cards. Two of those events must be in different regions of the state. Examples could look like:
- Attending 3 dark sky programs in Northern Utah, 1 in Central Utah
- Attending 2 dark sky programs in Southern Utah, 2 in Southeastern Utah
- Attending 1 dark sky program in Northern Utah, 1 in Southern Utah, 1 in Central Utah, 1 in Northeastern Utah or “Dinosaurland.”
As stated above, to win, participants will be required to send a photo of themselves with their filled-out stamp card and the answer to all of the riddles to parkcomment@utah.gov. The first person to attend four programs within two different regions and answer the four riddles correctly wins. Each participant can submit three entries. Clues may be provided later in the month if park staff determine a riddle is leaving people particularly stumped. If a clue is shared, it will be on this webpage and on our social media. The winner will be notified via email.
Once we receive a winner, we will post it on our social media pages and our website to alert participants. By submitting an email with a photo of yourself and the stamp card, you are agreeing to have that photo featured on Utah State Park social media to announce the winner.
Dark sky programs require park entry fees unless otherwise noted. Additional registration for an event may be required. Find details about each event on the Utah State Parks Calendar or on each park’s specific webpage. Each program at the Central Utah astronomy festival counts as one dark sky program.
April Dark Sky Programs
Here is a list of eligible locations for the scavenger hunt. This list may change or be updated. Events may be cancelled due to weather, check the park’s website for the most up-to-date information.
April 1, 2026 – 7:45-9:00 PM
Sand Hollow State Park: *Full Moon Paddle Tour
April 1,2026 – 8:30 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Luna in the Lens
April 1, 2026 – 8:30 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Constellation Quest
April 1, 2026 – 8:30PM
Goblin Valley State Park: Full Moon Hike
April 1, 2026 – 8:30pm
Fremont Indian State Park: Full Moon Hike
April 4, 2026 – 3:00 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Lounge & Learn: A Decade of Dark Skies
April 4, 2026 – 8:30PM
Goblin Valley State Park: Spring Scorpion Quest!
April 11, 2026 – 9:15 AM – 12:15 PM
The Field House of Natural History State Park Museum: Earth and Sky Celebration
April 11, 2026 – 6 pm
Antelope Island: Public Star Party
April 11, 2026 – 8 pm – 10 pm
Steinaker State Park: Earth and Sky Celebration -Dark Sky viewing with telescopes.
April 17, 2026 – 11 am – 11 pm
Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum: Central Utah Astronomy Festival
April 17, 2026, – 7 pm – 10 pm
Wasatch Mountain State Park: Dark Sky Party – Stargaze, crafts & games!
April 17, 2026 – 7-11pm
Willard Bay State Park: Star Party – EKO Adventure Challenge
April 17, 2026 – 8 pm
Snow Canyon State Park: Nighttime Celebration of our Urban Night Sky Designation!
April 17, 2026 – 8:45 pm
Goblin Valley State Park: Dark Sky Week- Deep Space Exploration!
April 18, 2026 – 10 am
Snow Canyon State Park: Daytime Celebration of our Urban Night Sky Designation!
April 18, 2026 – 10:30 am
Dead Horse Point State Park: Astro Arts
April 18, 2026 – 11 am – 11 pm
Fremont Indian State Park: Central Utah Astronomy Festival
April 18, 2026 – 9 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Star Party- Orion’s Retirement Party
April 19, 2026 – 4 pm – 11 pm
Piute State Park: Central Utah Astronomy Festival
April 22, 2026 – 8:30 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Dark Desert Nature Journey
April 25, 2026 – 8:30 pm
Dead Horse Point State Park: Scorpion Spotlight
April 25, 2026 – 9 PM
Goblin Valley State Park: Constellations – War in the Sky (Hercules mythology)
