Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at Arches?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, which factors in cloud cover, moon illumination, Bortle class, humidity, and atmospheric transparency. Above 70 is an excellent night. Below 40, conditions are poor. The score updates daily.
What makes Arches good for astrophotography?
Arches National Park has more natural arches per square mile than anywhere on earth, which gives astrophotographers an almost absurd variety of foreground options within a compact area. Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Windows Section are the most iconic night positions. The park borders the Colorado River corridor, keeping light pollution from Moab minimal on the west and north sides. The slickrock terrain glows warmly under the Milky Way, and the red sandstone picks up star trails exceptionally well in long exposures.
When is the Milky Way visible at Arches?
The galactic core is visible at Arches from late March through October. The timed entry permit system currently applies to daytime visits; night photographers arriving after 6pm generally enter without a reservation. June and July new moon weekends draw the largest crowds to Delicate Arch. Star trail photography works year-round on clear nights, with Polaris visible to the north above the Windows formations.
