Capitol Reef National Park

Night Sky Viewing Expansion

National Monument
1937
National Park
1971
 
Park Size
241,904 Acres
 
Annual Visitors
1.2 million
 
Park Fee
$20
 
Superintendent
Cass Bromley
 
Park Partner
Capitol Reef Natural History Association
 
Location
Wayne and Garfield Counties, UT

Capitol Reef National Park protects a remarkable network of geologic treasures, including cliffs, canyons, domes, arches, and a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth, as well as rich cultural resources related to the diverse human history of the region. Due to its rural, remote location in southern Utah, Capitol Reef also boasts some of the darkest night skies in the United States and is designated as a gold-tier International Dark Sky Park.

Star gazing programs are exceedingly popular in the park, but limited infrastructure and equipment prevented expanding them safely to more visitors. The park's ability to collaborate with local partners on astronomy education and engage new audiences in the region was also limited by lack of equipment. The Fund for People in Parks provided a grant for a new tracking telescope, trailer, broadcasting equipment, and night safety supplies. 

The new equipment has been put into service at the park's annual Heritage StarFest, and night sky programs are now available with more frequency at the park, so that many more visitors are now able to enjoy the awe and wonder if the night sky.
 
Project Cost: $26,187                                                                   Project Completed: 2022
     The Fund for People in Parks: $18,000
     National Park Service: $8,187

This grant from The Fund for People in Parks has enabled the park to realize a long-held goal: to bring the night skies of the park to more people. With the addition of a higher power tracking telescope and camera, the park is now able to show images to dozens, and perhaps someday, hundreds of people at one time. This greatly increases the ability to interpret the amazing and valuable resource to visitors, many of whom are drawn to the park by the opportunity to see the night sky without pollution."
     -Shauna Cotrell, Chief of Interpretation, Capitol Reef National Park