Stargazing in Arches National Park
If you’re looking for the most incredible experience at Arches National Park, stargazing has to be on your agenda!
Read this blog to find out about the following information:
What you need to know first
Where are the best spots?
What gear do you need?
What else to consider?
What you need to know first:
Whether you’re an astro photographer, or you just want to enjoy the view and mabe take some shots with your smartphone, you need to plan your visit first. Timing is the key for the perfect stargazing experience! Here are the most important factors you need to consider:
Moon phase: Plan your visit around the new moon when the sky is darkest, and stars are most visible. The days leading up to and just after the new moon are also good.
Season: The Milky Way’s core is most visible from late spring to early fall (April to September in the Northern Hemisphere). During these months, the core rises high in the sky at night, providing the best views.
Time of Night: The Milky Way is most visible after astronomical twilight, which is when the sky is fully dark. The core of the Milky Way is typically highest in the sky around midnight to 2 AM, depending on the time of year.
Wheather: Clouds can obscure the Milky Way, so check the weather forecast for clear skies. Even a thin layer of clouds can diminish the quality of your view.
Where are the best spots?
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While this is a popular sunset spot, it also offers great stargazing opportunities if you’re up for the hike. Just be aware that it can be crowded, even at night.
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This area is one of the best for stargazing. The vast open space and unique arch formations frame the night sky beautifully. It’s also easily accessible and has a large parking area.
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This area is less crowded and offers a wide view of the sky, making it ideal for stargazing. The rock formations here are less prominent, allowing for unobstructed views.
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Another excellent location, Balanced Rock offers a dramatic foreground with the night sky above. It’s close to the main road and has a short, easy trail.
What gear do you need?
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You will probably spend a couple of hours, so there are a view essentials, you definitely need to bring:
enough water
layering clothes
You can find more information about these in our post about Catching the perfect sunset at Arches National Park!
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If you're an experienced photographer, you'll probably already know how to shoot the Milky Way and you can skip this part. But if you're relatively new to this, here are some settings that hep you, getting a neat picture:
Use a stable tripod as you're aiming for long exposures. Every shaking leads to blurred results
A camera that can handle high ISO settings (1600-6400 or higher) without too much noise is ideal for Milky Way photography
A wide-angle lens (14mm to 24mm on full-frame, or 10mm to 18mm on crop sensors) allows you to capture more of the sky and the landscape in a single shot
A remote shutter release minimizes camera shake when pressing the shutter button. If you don't have one, you can use the camera's built-in timer function (2-second delay) as an alternative
If you do not have a camera, you can also use your smartphone. We met a couple which took awesome photos with their iPhone! There are tons of instructions on the internet on how to shoot the perfect shot with your smartphone.
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Use a flashlight or headlamp with a red light mode to preserve your night vision while setting up your gear. The red light won't disrupt your eyes' adjustment to the dark as much as white light
A foldable chair can be helpful for long sessions.
What else to consider?
There are just a few things to add:
You might want to consider arriving earlier at sunset, or even earlier at golden hour.
Be patient. It takes a couple of hours until the blue hour is over and it turns completely dark. Just enjoy the process of how more and more stars appear on the night sky.
Try to use your head lamp as little as possible! Every light causes light pollution on the shots of other photographers, and of course of yourself! When you’re moving your position, try it without light, or hurry as much as you can. If the place is crowded, and everyone uses its head lamp all the time, there is no way to take a perfect picture.
