Spend an evening under Moab’s dark skies learning to photograph the Milky Way above red‑rock cliffs and slickrock panoramas. This hands‑on workshop teaches camera settings, composition, and basic post‑processing at roadside overlooks suitable for all skill levels.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The first breath of Moab night cools the desert, and the Milky Way rises like a slow-burning river over mesas and spires. You meet in a hotel parking lot, load gear into a vehicle, and drive a few miles beyond town where sodium lights fall away and the sky opens wide. The landscape—slickrock, mesas, and canyon rims—frames long exposures and gives scale to pinprick constellations.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Low aerobic demand—participants should be able to walk short distances over uneven ground and stand for extended periods.
Wildlife
History
Moab sits on the Colorado Plateau and contains rock layers that record hundreds of millions of years of Earth history; the valley was a hub for Ute and Paiute peoples and later frontier settlement.
Conservation
Dark‑sky etiquette matters—use red lights, avoid unnecessary white light, and follow Leave No Trace rules to protect nocturnal wildlife and the nightscape.
Reserve your spot on the Moab Astrophotography Workshop Experience today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive Early for Golden‑Hour Setup
Set up during the last light to test framing and focus—shooting starts best after astronomical twilight.
Bring a Sturdy Tripod and Remote
Long exposures need a solid platform and remote trigger to avoid camera shake during multi‑second exposures.
Use a Red Headlamp
Red light preserves night vision while allowing you to change settings and move safely around tripods and ledges.
Watch the Weather and Temperatures
Desert nights cool quickly—pack warm layers and check forecasts; high winds can ruin long exposures.
Sturdy tripod
Keeps the camera steady for long exposures and star‑tracking attempts.
Wide, fast lens (e.g., 14–35mm f/2.8–f/4)
Wide aperture and field of view capture more of the Milky Way and reduce exposure time.
Red headlamp
Preserves night vision while allowing you to read settings and move safely.
Extra batteries and memory cards
Cold and long sessions drain power; you’ll shoot many test frames.