Dark Sky at Antelope Island State Park

The stars at night are big and bright….deep in the heart of Texas. So goes the 1941 pop song about the Lone Star state, but you don’t need to go to Texas to see the big, bright stars. Any Dark Sky Park will do (there are 26 of them in Utah) and Antelope Island State Park is one of them. For those along the Wasatch Front it’s close by – about 30 miles north of Salt Lake City on I-15, west about 10-miles on Antelope Drive (exit 332) through Syracuse.

Once you get away from the light pollution of our cities, homes, freeways and streetlights the night sky explodes in a spectacular array of heavenly stars, nebulas, “falling stars”, even a whole galaxy. If you’ve never seen the Milky Way on a clear, light-free night you’re missing one of nature’s most spectacular and astounding sights.

To become a certified International Dark Sky Park the area must apply and qualify for the designation by reducing the amount of artificial light in the park and show that they will preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and education. With 26 certified Dark Sky places, Utah has more sites than any other state in the U.S.  Antelope Island, situated near the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake between Salt Lake City and Ogden, is the only one close to a major urban area.

Astronomers say the best months to see the Milky Way are between March and November, but winter months (Dec-Feb) have the advantage of fewer people and longer nights. You can start stargazing as early as 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. 

Camping or staying in one of the small cabins on Antelope Island is a great way to enjoy the park, and if the night is clear, stargazing is a first-rate bonus. You can also join in one or more of the star parties held on the island on a regular basis. They are organized by various stargazing groups who bring telescopes and astronomers to the park to make for a value-added experience. Check the Antelope Island State Park web site or call the park visitor center (801) 773-2941 to find out when the next one will be.