On a recent trip to the Grand Canyon my daughter stopped me as I was about to leave the motel room with our dog–“I’ll go with you!” She had been looking forward to staring up at the night sky all day long. We walked out into the quiet chill and wandered away from the dim lights outside the row of rooms at Yavapai Lodge. As we got to a clearing of trees we looked up at the blanket of stars scattered across the sky. We stared in awe at the faint line of the Andromeda Galaxy. It was truly magical. Keep reading for more of the best dark sky parks your family will love.

best dark sky parks in California

The Grand Canyon is just one of the many national and state parks that are designated International Dark Sky places. These special places, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association, offer some of the best stargazing conditions in the country. From fun ranger programs to kid-friendly hikes, these six best Dark Sky Parks in the western United States aren’t just great for astronomy lovers. They’re also perfect for families looking to create unforgettable memories under the stars.

1. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Located in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the U.S. to see the night sky. With its otherworldly rock formations and vast desert landscape, it feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet. Plus, it’s one of the most easily accessible for families visiting from major cities like Los Angeles or San Diego.

Why It’s Great for Families:

🌟 Night Sky Festival – Every fall, the park hosts a free, family-friendly festival with telescope viewings, astronomy talks, and hands-on activities.
🚶 Barker Dam Nature Trail – A 1.1-mile loop that’s easy for kids and offers a chance to see desert wildlife before the stars come out.
🎒 Jr. Ranger Program – Kids can complete activities to earn their official Junior Ranger badge, making the trip both fun and educational.

Best Time to Visit: Fall through early spring for cooler temperatures and clear skies.

2. Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada

With its remote desert location and almost zero light pollution, Death Valley National Park had to make this list. In my opinion, this is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. At night, the sky comes alive with thousands of stars. If you visit during the right season, you may even spot the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye!

Why It’s Great for Families:

🌟 Ranger-Led Star Parties – During the winter and spring, rangers host free stargazing events at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
🚶 Harmony Borax Works Trail – A short, 0.4-mile loop that’s stroller-friendly and great for an evening family stroll before the stars appear.
🎒 Death Valley Dark Sky Festival – Held every late winter or early spring, this event features astronomy talks, solar viewing, and kids’ activities.

Best Time to Visit: Fall through early spring to avoid extreme summer heat. Visit during a spring super bloom if you can for impressive wildflowers in this desert landscape.

best dark sky parks in Utah

3. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

With its bizarrely beautiful rock formations called hoodoos and incredibly dark skies, Bryce Canyon National Park is a must-visit. If your family loves both geology, astronomy, or Disneyland, this park is for you. (Bryce Canyon is the inspiration for the design of Big Thunder at Disneyland.) The park’s elevation of 8,000 feet makes for some of the clearest night skies in the country.

Why It’s Great for Families:

🌕 Full Moon Hikes – Ranger-led hikes allow families to experience the park under moonlight, making the hoodoos even more magical.
🔭 Astronomy Festival – A three-day summer event with hands-on activities, telescope viewings, and kids’ workshops.
🚶 Mossy Cave Trail – A kid-friendly, 0.8-mile trail with a gentle stream, perfect for a daytime adventure before stargazing.

Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for comfortable temperatures.

4. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Utah is home to some of the most incredible night skies in the country, and Capitol Reef National Park is one of the best places to see them. Its high elevation and dry climate create perfect conditions for stargazing. Meanwhile, the park’s low visitor numbers mean you won’t have to fight crowds for a great view.

Why It’s Great for Families:

🌕 Full Moon Walks – Join a ranger-led full moon hike to see the park’s famous red rock formations glowing under moonlight.
🚶 Hickman Bridge Trail – A 1.8-mile round-trip hike with minimal elevation gain, perfect for young adventurers.
🔭 Annual Astronomy Festival – Families can enjoy Heritage StarFest, an event full of hands-on activities, telescope viewings, and storytelling under the stars.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer to attend a full moon hike.

more great dark sky parks for families

5. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

If your family loves adventure, Great Basin National Park is a hidden gem found in remote Nevada. The park offers incredible stargazing with minimal light pollution. It’s one of the least visited national parks, which means you won’t have to battle crowds to get a front-row seat to the stars.

Why It’s Great for Families:

🔭 Astronomy Programs – The park seasonally hosts weekly astronomy talks and telescope viewings, where rangers help families spot planets, constellations, and shooting stars.
🏔 Lehman Caves Tour – Explore incredible underground formations during the day before heading out for stargazing at night.
🚶 Sky Islands Forest Trail – A short, 0.4-mile, stroller-friendly loop that gives kids a chance to explore nature before bedtime.

Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall, when nighttime temperatures are mild.

6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

You may know the Grand Canyon for its stunning landscapes, but as I mentioned in my intro, the sky is pretty incredible also! At night, the canyon’s vast openness creates an incredible stargazing experience. The park offers year-round astronomy programs designed with families in mind.

Why It’s Great for Families:

🔭 Grand Canyon Star Party – Every June, this week-long event features telescopes, constellation tours, and kids’ activities.
🚶 Mather Point Overlook – A short, easy walk from the visitor center, this is one of the best places for families to watch the sunset before the stars come out.
🌠 Junior Ranger Night Explorer Program – Kids can complete an activity booklet to earn a special astronomy badge!

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for pleasant weather and clear skies. Or in the winter when crowds are lower and nights are longer.

why you should visit a dark sky park

Whether you’re viewing the Andromeda Galaxy over a vast canyon, or watching the moonlight glow over hoodoos in Utah, these 6 best Dark Sky Parks offer an unforgettable experience. Viewing these skies with your kids is something you will all remember forever. With kid-friendly trails, ranger programs, and some of the darkest skies in the U.S., these parks are perfect for sparking a lifelong love of astronomy and outdoor adventure.

Have you ever visited a Dark Sky park before? Which one was it?

Follow along with our family adventures on Instagram!