The Grand Canyon, with its vast horizons and dark skies, transforms into a natural observatory each June for the Grand Canyon Star Party. From June 21 to June 28, 2025, both the South and North Rims awaken not only to the canyon’s monumental daytime vistas but to the nightly spectacle of the cosmos. Amateur astronomers from around the world bring dozens of telescopes to this rugged, fiercely natural setting, inviting park visitors to peer deep into space.

By day, solar telescopes track the sun’s surface, revealing sunspots and solar flares that dare you to look beyond the daylight. When night falls, planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies emerge through lenses calibrated by passionate volunteers.

On the South Rim, the Canyon Visitor Center Plaza hosts an 8 pm slide show by special guest speakers, followed by free telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours light up the night sky at 9, 9:30, and 10 pm, guiding you through familiar and mysterious star patterns. Meanwhile, on the North Rim, programs start at 7:30 pm in the lodge auditorium, with telescopes assembled on the Grand Canyon Lodge terrace. Here, luminous green lasers trace the constellations across the dark sky, while daytime solar telescopes continue their vigilant watch.

Weather permitting, the event offers unparalleled access to celestial wonders—each night an invitation to engage intimately with a universe fiercely itself. Beyond the astronomy programs, this event is an occasion to experience the canyon's environment in full dialogue with the cosmos, as the night sky pushes beyond the familiar edge of the rim.

The Star Party is a collaborative effort supported by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim). Volunteers interested in the event’s operation can connect with these organizations for opportunities to contribute.

Planning your visit means preparing for temperature swings, as canyon nights can dip sharply even in June. Dress in layers and bring a reliable flashlight with red light to preserve night vision. Arrive early to claim prime telescope positions and be ready to listen, learn, and look deeply beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This week-long event blends the wonder of adventure with focused, hands-on astronomy, making the Grand Canyon Star Party a practical and thrilling destination for those eager to meet the night sky on its own terms.

For updated schedules, speaker lists, and details on volunteering, visit https://go.nps.gov/sp.