While Dinosaur National Monument is visited for its fantastic array of dinosaur fossils and geologic landscapes, it is becoming more and more known for its dark sky as part of the International Dark-Sky Association. While the visitor centers and Quarry Exhibit Hall have fixed hours, the Monument itself is open 24/7 and provides an amazing night sky. Be sure to find an area in the Monument to safely park your vehicle away from any light sources or vehicle traffic like an overlook or trailhead. People will need to allow their eyes up to 30 minutes to fully adapt to darkness. That means you should avoid using bright lights (use red light instead) and avoid looking at your phone. If you have binoculars or a telescope, feel free to bring those along, but they aren’t necessary. Always check the forecast for that evening and make sure that the clouds or weather won’t be an issue. Natural lights can also limit night sky visibility. The best time to see the night sky is on a clear night during a new moon.
