Dark Sky Month declared in Utah as state aims to foster ‘astrotourism’
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah is known for having the best snow on earth. But the Beehive State is also increasingly recognized as having some of the most pristine nighttime skies on the planet.
On Monday, Gov. Spencer Cox declared April to be Dark Sky Month in Utah, the fourth time it’s been recognized since 2021.
According to the Utah Office of Tourism, Utah’s dark skies are a unique natural resource that people are willing to travel to see.
According to one report, so-called “astrotourism” on the Colorado Plateau is expected to bring in more than $5.8 billion in tourism spending through the end of the decade.
“Dark sky preservation encourages overnight stays, diversifies the Utah product and expands the visitor experience,” Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, said in a statement.
Utah’s state and national parks are tapping into this star-gazing interest.
Utah State Parks Director Scott Strong said that destinations such as Goblin Valley State Park offer dark sky programs and tours to help people understand the beauty of Utah’s natural areas at night.
“Seeing an area like Goblin Valley State Park during the day is a beautiful sight to behold, but experiencing it at night takes it to a whole other level,” Strong said.
Utah leads the world in certified dark sky areas. Currently, the state boasts 25 DarkSky International places, including all of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks, several state parks, and even two towns.
Developments like Clear Sky Resorts — which will soon offer visitors the chance to sleep under “sky domes” near Bryce Canyon National Park — are being built specifically to showcase Utah’s nighttime skies.
“It’s an experience hopefully no one has ever seen,” developer Hal Feinberg told ABC4.com.
State tourism officials say that promoting Utah’s dark skies not only generates revenue for local economies, it also ensures that communities below them will continue to enjoy star-filled nights.
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