Skip to main content

Grand Canyon Celebrates 100th Anniversary with New International Dark Sky Park Distinction

grand canyon night sky
Royce's NightScapes/Getty Images

Grand Canyon National Park is the second most visited National Park in the U.S. It hardly needs any new accolades, and most people don’t need yet another reason to add it to their bucket list. However, the good folks at the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) are providing one anyway. Earlier this month, the iconic park was awarded Dark Sky Park status, cementing the Grand Canyon as one of the best places in the world for stargazing.

Recommended Videos

The news comes on the heels of Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park gaining the same Dark Sky Park status in May. Grand Canyon was granted provisional status in 2016. Among a host of other initiatives, it has since outfitted two-thirds of the park’s lighting — more than 1,400 fixtures in total — with low-watt LED bulbs and directional shields to minimize light pollution, which was enough to secure the new distinction. Of the park’s efforts, the IDA notes that given its “remarkably dark night skies and U.S. National Park Service (NPS) efforts to make visitors aware that ‘half the park is after dark,’ an authentic and meaningful dark-skies experience is available to over 5 million visitors annually.” Officials confirmed that 90% of the park’s lights would be retrofitted by 2022.

With less than 70 certified “dark” spaces throughout the world, the Dark Sky Park classification is an exclusive one. While the United States is home to some of the worst light pollution in the world, the worst affected regions lie mainly along the coasts, particularly in the Northeast and in California. But the country also boasts some of the best Dark Sky Parks with the best stargazing opportunities on the planet. In addition to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Texas’ Big Bend, California’s Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley, Arizona’s Petrified Forest, and Nevada’s Great Basin all enjoy Dark Sky Park status.

For 2019, Great Canyon National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary and its new Dark Sky Park distinction every night this week (June 22-29) with a unique Star Party. Amateur astronomers from around the country will gather at the Grand Canyon Lodge along the north rim and the park’s official visitor center along the south rim to share their telescopes and knowledge with anyone interested. This year is especially good for astronomy lovers with amazing opportunities to see not just the Milky Way, but Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars as well. Aside from the park entrance fee, the events are free.

If crowds and awe-inspiring canyons aren’t your thing, check out five of the country’s lesser-known and least crowded national parks you need to visit.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
See the Night Sky Like Never Before at New Mexico’s International Dark-Sky Park
Silhouette Against the Night Sky

We’re drowning in light -- or, more specifically, light pollution. Urban sprawl and the worldwide population explosion have meant that artificial light is blanketing our night skies like never before. Many city dwellers have never and may never see the night sky as our ancestors did before the advent of electricity. But, one organization, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDSA), is working to preserve our views of the heavens now and for future generations. The next step in its mission: New Mexico’s Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Related Guides

Best Travel Documentaries on Netflix
Best Virtual Tours of National Parks
Best Times To Visit National Parks

Read more
This simple camping trick keeps bugs away without harsh chemicals
Looking to keep the bugs away with a natural solution? Try sage
Camping around a fire

Modern chemical bug repellents, while generally safe, can be a great way to keep away those pesky mosquitoes. However, these repellants often contain harsh chemicals, such as DEET, picaridin, and permethrin, which have been known to cause skin irritation risks, poison water sources, or even be toxic to wildlife. The NIH reports that these chemical repellents are not safe for public health and should be used with caution. Natural bug repellents like tea tree oil work great when diluted and sprayed onto skin, but what can you do to keep the bugs away from your campsite? Here's my sage advice for saying "shoo fly, don't bother me."
Use sage to keep the bugs away

Sage is a common herb that acts as a natural bug repellent due to several compounds such as camphor, 8-cineole, and thujone, which produce a strong aroma that repels insects by overwhelming their sensory systems. It has an herbaceous aroma that's both strong and earthy, and can often be slightly peppery or woody in scent. Personally, I find it to be more pleasant than tea tree oil, so it can be a great alternative.

Read more
What type of golf ball should you use? The simple breakdown every new golfer needs
Here are the three major kinds of golf balls and which one is right for you
A golf ball sitting in grass.

When you're just getting started with golf, you may not realize that there are several different kinds of golf balls, each tailored for a specific skill level, swing speed, or other priorities. The choices can be overwhelming, but they boil down to three kinds: two piece, three piece, and four piece. So now you might be wondering, what golf ball should I use? In this guide, we're going to discuss the three major kinds of golf balls and how to choose the best one for you.

When choosing a golf ball, you'll first need to assess your skill level, swing speed, priorities for distance control, materials, and budget. These five factors aren't the only things to consider, but they will get you to a great starting point. The key is to understand the construction and performance characteristics of each golf ball. In a nutshell, two-piece, also known as low-compression balls, prioritize distance and are great for beginners. Three-piece golf balls have better control for more intermediate players, while still giving you great distance. And lastly, the four-piece golf balls, or high-compression balls, are perfect for advanced players for their precision. Here's the breakdown:
Two-piece golf balls

Read more