06/28/2025
Astro Fest in Badlands National Park July 18 - 20ππ
AstroFest Announcement! πππͺ
Officials at Badlands National Park plan to host the 2025 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 18 - 20, 2025, daily from 10 a.m. β 11:30 p.m, at the park.
The annual festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three-day astronomy celebration.
Novices and experts alike can expect to experience the spectacular dark night skies of Badlands National Park at public star parties each evening. During each afternoon, a variety of family-friendly activities will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the night sky, the sun, and space exploration. Telescopes will be provided by astronomers from the local community, Badlands National Park, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours, and the University of Utah for day and night observations.
The schedule of events includes daily planet walks, solar observing opportunities, activities, special guest speakers, Webb Space Telescope images, public stargazing activities, static displays, as well as equipment demonstrations by professional and amateur astronomers.
Schedule of Events (all events are daily/nightly July 18-20th):
πͺPlanet Walk- 10:00 am and 1:00 pm at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center: Meet in front of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center for a short walk through our solar system.
πSun Fun Solar Observing- 3:00-5:00 pm at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center: View solar flares and sunspots through our special solar telescopes, 100% safe for eyes. Various other sun-based activities will also be offered.
πGuest Speakers/Evening Programs/Public Stargazing- 9pm - 11:30 pm at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater: Nightly evening presentations will be provided by invited guest speakers followed by hands-on experience with multiple state-of-the-art telescopes and amateur astronomers providing constellation tours while guiding visitors around the universe. View planets, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars while going down the βscope line.β
For more information see: nps.gov/badl
NPS Photos: NPS Photo/ E. Neubaum: A wall of Badlands peaks, with a dark, starry night sky above, the glowing diagonal light of the Milky Way clearly visible.