Stargazing forecast

Stargazing in Bryce Canyon National Park

International Dark Sky Park (Gold tier) · Utah, United States

A Gold tier Dark Sky Park certified in 2019, known for the hoodoo spires of the Bryce Amphitheatre and for sitting at over 2400 metres, above much of the region's haze.

Darkest skies this period

The darkest skies this period fall around the new moon on Sat Oct 10.

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Is Bryce Canyon National Park good for stargazing?

A Gold tier Dark Sky Park certified in 2019, known for the hoodoo spires of the Bryce Amphitheatre and for sitting at over 2400 metres, above much of the region's haze. It is certified as an International Dark Sky Park (Gold tier) in Utah, United States. Bortle 1 (estimated): among the darkest skies on Earth.

When is the best time to stargaze at Bryce Canyon National Park?

The darkest nights fall in the week around each new moon, when nothing washes out the sky. The Milky Way core climbs into view from May to July, reaching about 23 degrees above the horizon at its best in June. A new moon inside that window is the combination worth planning a trip around.

How is this forecast worked out?

The Bortle value above is estimated from satellite light-pollution data, not a site meter, and we label it as an estimate everywhere it appears. Darkness here is astronomy only, computed for these coordinates. Cloud cover is never blended into it.

The next 90 nights

Darkness only, computed from moon phase, Milky Way core visibility, and rated meteor peaks. No weather.

Each night is rated on how good the stargazing is: how dark the sky will be, and whether anything headline is out. Excellent, Great, Good, Limited.

What the ratings mean

A dark night with nothing particular out rates below a slightly brighter night when the Milky Way core is up: the rating is about what there is to see, not darkness on its own. Excellent is rare because it needs both at once, a new moon and the core above the horizon.

ExcellentDark AND a headline sight out: new moon with the Milky Way core up
GreatDark, with the Milky Way core or a strong meteor peak
GoodDark enough for real stargazing, nothing headline out
LimitedBright stars only

Separately, about the moon:

Bright moonThe moon is up and near full, so the sky is bright

Limited nights can still be nearly moonless, they just do not line up with a headline sight. Every rating is computed from moon phase, Milky Way core visibility and rated meteor peaks, for this exact location. Tap any night for its full story.

The sky compass: the rim is your horizon, the center is straight overhead. A dot marks the Milky Way core; a diamond marks a meteor shower's radiant.

Select dates

Thu Sep 24Waxing, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Sep 25Waxing, 98% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (98% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Sep 26Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Sun Sep 27Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Mon Sep 28Waning, 97% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (97% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Sep 29Waning, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Sep 30Waning, 86% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (86% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.

10 more nights worth travelling for83 nights in total

Thu Oct 1Waning, 78% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (78% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 2Waning, 69% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (69% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 3Waning, 59% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (59% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Oct 4Waning, 48% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (48% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Oct 5Waning, 38% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 38% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Tue Oct 6Waning, 28% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 28% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Wed Oct 7Waning, 19% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 19% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Thu Oct 8Waning, 11% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 11% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Oct 9Waning, 5% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 5% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Oct 10New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 2% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Sun Oct 11New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Mon Oct 12New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Tue Oct 13Waxing, 4% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 4% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Wed Oct 14Waxing, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Thu Oct 15Waxing, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Oct 16Waxing, 24% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 24% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sat Oct 17Waxing, 33% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 33% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sun Oct 18Waxing, 44% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (44% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Oct 19Waxing, 54% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (54% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Oct 20Waxing, 65% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (65% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Oct 21Orionids meteor peak (~20/hr, washed out by moonlight)Limited
Orionids radiant: look east, about 30 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Limited?
A minor meteor peak from here; otherwise a quiet night.
Thu Oct 22Waxing, 83% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (83% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 23Waxing, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 24Waxing, 96% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (96% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Oct 25Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 99% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Mon Oct 26Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Tue Oct 27Waning, 99% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (99% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Oct 28Waning, 95% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (95% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Oct 29Waning, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Oct 30Waning, 83% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (83% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Oct 31Waning, 74% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (74% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Nov 1Waning, 64% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (64% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Nov 2Waning, 54% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (54% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Nov 3Waning, 43% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (43% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Nov 4Waning, 33% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 33% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Thu Nov 5Waning, 23% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 23% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Fri Nov 6Waning, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Nov 7Waning, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Nov 8Waning, 3% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 3% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Mon Nov 9New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Tue Nov 10New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Wed Nov 11New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 2% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Thu Nov 12Waxing, 6% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 6% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Fri Nov 13Waxing, 11% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 11% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Nov 14Waxing, 19% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 19% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Nov 15Waxing, 28% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 28% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Mon Nov 16Waxing, 38% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 38% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Tue Nov 17Leonids meteor peak (~15/hr, good)Limited
Leonids radiant: look east-northeast, about 10 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Limited?
A minor meteor peak from here; otherwise a quiet night.
Wed Nov 18Waxing, 59% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (59% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Nov 19Waxing, 69% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (69% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Nov 20Waxing, 79% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (79% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Nov 21Waxing, 87% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (87% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Nov 22Waxing, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Nov 23Waxing, 97% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (97% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Nov 24Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Wed Nov 25Full moon - bright moonlit sky & moonriseBright moon
Why Bright moon?
The moon is 100% lit, which washes out the Milky Way and faint stars.
Thu Nov 26Waning, 98% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (98% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Nov 27Waning, 93% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (93% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Nov 28Waning, 87% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (87% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Nov 29Waning, 79% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (79% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Nov 30Waning, 70% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (70% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Dec 1Waning, 60% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (60% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Wed Dec 2Waning, 49% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (49% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Dec 3Waning, 38% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 38% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Fri Dec 4Waning, 28% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 28% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Sat Dec 5Waning, 19% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 19% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Dec 6Waning, 12% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 12% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Mon Dec 7Waning, 6% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 6% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Tue Dec 8New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 2% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Wed Dec 9New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 0% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Thu Dec 10New moon - darkest skiesGood
Why Good?
Moon 1% lit: the brighter stars show well, the faintest sights are muted.
Fri Dec 11Waxing, 3% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 3% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sat Dec 12Waxing, 8% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 8% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Sun Dec 13Waxing, 15% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quiet night here: the moon 15% lit, but no dark-sky event (Milky Way core, new moon, meteor peak) lines up tonight.
Mon Dec 14Geminids meteor peak (~120/hr, good)Good
Geminids radiant: look east, about 65 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Good?
A meteor peak, though moonlight (23% lit) hides the fainter ones.
Tue Dec 15Waxing, 33% litLimited
Why Limited?
A quieter night with the moon 33% lit: fine for bright stars, not for the faintest sights.
Wed Dec 16Waxing, 43% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (43% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Thu Dec 17Waxing, 54% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (54% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Fri Dec 18Waxing, 64% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (64% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sat Dec 19Waxing, 74% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (74% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Sun Dec 20Waxing, 83% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (83% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Mon Dec 21Waxing, 90% litLimited
Why Limited?
Moonlight (90% lit) limits the fainter sky tonight.
Tue Dec 22Ursids meteor peak (~10/hr, washed out by moonlight)Limited
Ursids radiant: look north-northeast, about 30 degrees up
rim = horizoncenter = overhead
Why Limited?
A minor meteor peak from here; otherwise a quiet night.