Pay attention to the phases of the moon
Best time of night to take photos in Zion
What gear to bring: night sky photography in Utah
Avoid light pollution to capture the night sky
Check the weather and aim for clear skies
Adjust your camera settings for nighttime
Wear comfortable and warm clothing
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Zion is one of the most magical locations for capturing some of the clearest night skies in the United States. Whether you want to capture star trails, have stunning backdrops of the cliffs or take photos of the milky way, Zion National Park is a premier location for night sky photography in Utah. Whether you are new to dark sky photography or you are an astrophotographer, here are some tips for night sky photography in Utah so you can make the most of your time in Zion.
Pay Attention to the Phases of the Moon
With astrophotography, timing is everything. The phase of the moon has a significant impact on how much visibility you will have viewing the stars in the sky and how your photos turn out. For the best results, plan your night sky photography session during a new moon when the sky is darkest and you have a higher chance of viewing and capturing celestial objects such as the milky way, nebulae and star clusters. When the moon is more full, it can wash out the details of the galaxy in your photos.
Best Time of Night to Take Photos in Zion
The best time for night sky photography in Utah is right after the sunset or right before the sunrise in order to capture the soft hues of “blue hour”. This is the time when the sky glows with deep blues and dark purples. This is the perfect time to take photos with the stunning backdrops of the landscapes of the desert in Zion. If you are more interested in capturing the milky way and constellations, stay later into the night when the darkness fully settles in and the stars are bright.
Taking photos right after sunset is the best time for photos during “blue hour” and waiting for complete darkness is ideal for capturing details of the galaxy!
What Gear to Bring: Night Sky Photography in Utah
The best gear to bring for taking photos at night in Zion is a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings so you can control longer exposure shots and focus on sharp details such as taking photos of the milky way. Pair your camera with a wide-angle lens with fast aperture to maximize light intake. If you’re planning on taking long exposure shots of star trails, we highly recommend bringing a tripod to stabilize your camera. Bring a headlamp as well with a red light to preserve your night vision as you adjust your camera settings and explore the dark skies of Utah through your lens.
Avoid Light Pollution to Capture the Night Sky
If you’re looking for the best spots for night sky photography in Utah, Zion is the perfect location because of the minimal light pollution. Although Zion is incredibly dark, taking photos away from nearby towns or buildings is ideal. Choose places with open views and dark skies such as the Pa’rus Trail in the national park for easy access, Lava Point, perched up high with panoramic views or Kolob Canyon for a more secluded place with extremely dark skies.
Check the Weather and Aim for Clear Skies
When it comes to astrophotography in Utah, the weather is usually in your favor. Although Zion offers plenty of perfectly clear skies for nighttime photography, it is important to pay attention to the weather. Even a thin cloud coverage can obstruct the stars and the milky way, which will cause lower-quality images. If you want to capture all the celestial objects and enjoy the stars in Zion with optimal results, choose a night with completely clear skies so your images come out well.
Adjust Your Camera Settings for Nighttime
The best settings for long exposure dark sky photography in Zion is manual mode since the automatic setting of your camera won’t perform very well at night. Here are some suggestions for getting a perfect shot of the milky way in Zion and the stunning stars and dark skies of Southern Utah.
Shoot in RAW to capture as much detail as possible
Set your aperture wide open (f/2.8 or lower) to let in maximum light.
Start with an ISO setting between 1600 and 3200 and adjust based on lighting
Use the 500 Rule for Astrophotography to calculate your shutter speed
Manually focus on a bright star or distant light and fine-tune your focus
Use a tripod and a remote shutter to avoid any shake in your camera
Wear Comfortable and Warm Clothing
Although it’s the desert, Zion National Park can be surprisingly cold at night, even in the summer! Head out on your nighttime photography mission fully prepared with layers and close-toed shoes. Bringing a lightweight jacket and wearing proper footwear can help protect your feet from uneven ground or obstacles you might not see in the dark. If you come outside the summer months, bring a jacket, gloves and a hat as well because once the sun goes down in the desert, the crisp air will bite more than you expect!
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These tips for night sky photography in Utah will help you be well-equipped for your adventure and also capture beautiful photos of the stars in Zion. The pristine skies of Utah and this International Dark Sky Park are one of the best destinations for astrophotography in the world.
If you want to learn more about the cosmos, constellations and dark skies of Utah, consider booking a private stargazing tour near Zion with an astronomer to make the most of your astrophotography experience in Utah.
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