Staying Fit
Did you miss the total solar eclipse?
Consider the next best thing: seeing a starry, starry night in a sea of darkness, unimpeded by artificial light, at one of the International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. It’s a rare treat, since light pollution prevents nearly 80 percent of Americans from seeing the Milky Way from their homes. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDSA) has certified 16 of the nation’s 63 national parks as dark sky destinations. So visitors can take full advantage of such visibility, many of them offer specialized after-dark programs, from astronomy festivals and ranger-led full-moon walks to star parties and astrophotography workshops. If you prefer to stargaze on your own at a park, the National Park Service (NPS) recommends bringing a pair of 7-by-50 binoculars; a red flashlight, which enhances night vision; and a star chart, which shows the arrangement of stars in the sky. Research has found that the feeling of awe from stargazing and staring up at the sky can have positive effects on mental health. To keep the good vibes going, consider spending the night and setting up camp at a dark sky park.
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Here are eight of the IDSA-certified parks where you can appreciate how the heavens looked from the Earth before the dawn of electric light.
At night campers can stargaze through sandstone formations at Arches National Park in Utah.
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Arches National Park, Utah
If there’s one state that stargazers should be sure not to miss, it’s Utah, which boasts the country’s greatest number of certified dark sky national parks, with five: Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion. Arches stands out, with more than 2,000 signature sandstone arches that form dramatic backdrops for the celestial show overhead. For the best viewing spots, avoid the lights of Moab to the south and head north to the Balanced Rock picnic area, the Garden of Eden viewpoint, Panorama Point or the Windows section. Under the right conditions you might even see Saturn’s rings with standard binoculars. Ranger-led stargazing programs, during which rangers introduce visitors to the wonders of the night sky followed by stargazing and telescope viewing, take place in the summer. These events rotate between Arches and nearby Canyonlands.
Camp: The Devils Garden Campground is the park’s only option, located 18 miles from the entrance. It’s a good idea to plan ahead if you want to stay here because the campground is usually full. You can reserve campsites up to six months in advance for nights between March 1 and Oct. 31. Campsites are first come, first served the rest of the year.
