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Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons Association

Peaks, Plateaus & Canyons Association

Supporting Parks and Public Lands on the Colorado Plateau

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Home/Dark Sky Parks

Dark Sky Parks

The Colorado Plateau is known for its incredibly diverse and spectacular scenery and geology. But the night sky is famous in its own right. The inky-black night skies are filled with stars too numerous to count and the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon.

America’s first Dark Sky Cooperative was established on the Colorado Plateau to protect this heritage. The parks and public lands shown below have attained their Dark-Sky certification.

To provide a platform for sharing resources and information, increasing dialogue, and providing mutual support for the diverse groups of night sky conservation advocates throughout the Western United States, the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative in partnership with the GNAR Initiative has spearheaded the formation of a Western Night Skies Council (WNSC) (PDF – 2 Mb).

Dark Sky Resources

  • International Dark-Sky Association
  • Certified IDA International Dark-Sky Parks
  • Google Map of IDA National Parks in U.S.A.
The Milky Way above Delicate Arch | NPS Photo by Jacob W. Frank

Arches National Park

Milky Way over the Black Canyon of the Gunnison | NPS Photo

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Bryce Canyon certified as International Dark-Sky Park October 2019 | NPS Photo by Keith Moore

Bryce Canyon National Park

The Milky Way over The Doll House | NPS Photo by Kait Thomas

Canyonlands National Park

Milky Way over Chimney Rock | NPS Photo by Jacob W. Frank

Capitol Reef National Park

Milky Way over Cedar Breaks | NPS Photo by Zach Schierl

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Time-lapse image of stars circling over Fajada Butte | NPS Photo by B. Davis

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Stars fill the sky above the Quarry Exhibit Hall in Dinosaur National Monument | NPS Photo by Jacob Holgerson

Dinosaur National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument - WikiMedia Commons Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz

Flagstaff Area National Monuments

Grand Canyon National Park: 2019 Star Party - South Rim | NPS Photo by Mike Quinn

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona / Photo by Bob Wick - Bureau of Land Management

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument

Milky Way over Medano Creek and Dunes | NPS photo by Patrick Myers

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Milky Way at the Square Tower Group | NPS Photo by Jacob W. Frank

Hovenweep National Monument

Night sky at Owachomo Bridge | NPS Photo by Jacob W. Frank

Natural Bridges National Monument

Puerco Pueblo Petroglyphs, Night Sky with Stars | NPS Photo by Jacob Holgerson

Petrified Forest National Park

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PPCA Publications

  • Flying Home by Craig Childs
  • Scout Moore, Junior Ranger on the Colorado Plateau
  • Sojourns

Colorado Plateau News

Colorado National Monument Association Spring 2021

John Otto: The Colorado National Monument’s First Park Custodian  Part One By Camille Jestrovich If you’ve heard of John Otto, it’s likely from hiking one of the Colorado National …

Continue Reading about Colorado National Monument Association Spring 2021

March Highlights Around the Plateau

Fees to Increase on the Manti La Sal National Forest Beginning this year, visitors to the Manti-La Sal National Forest will see an increase in usage-fees at 30 developed campgrounds following …

Continue Reading about March Highlights Around the Plateau

More News

  • Grand Canyon Update, February 2021
  • Canyonlands February 2021
  • Call of the Canyon – January 2021

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Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons Association

PO Box 722
Ridgway, CO 81432-0722

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