Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument In Arizona Is One Of America's Most Incredible Dark Sky Parks
By Katie Lawrence|Published December 17, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
In search of the darkest skies in Arizona? Look no further than Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. It’s one of the most remote, undeveloped places in the country! A certified International Dark Sky Park, the monument has no light pollution to hinder stargazing. Pitch a tent and gaze up at the cosmos, enjoying a celestial spectacle like no other.
Located on the northern edge of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon–Parashant National Monument is one of the most remote places in the contiguous U.S.
From jaw-dropping scenic overlooks to ancient springs, each trail is worth embarking on for its own unique reasons. Keep in mind, there's no cell service here, so be extra careful on your adventures.
Thanks to its high elevation, excellent air quality, sparse population, and generally cloud-free weather, the monument offers stargazing opportunities that are simply unparalleled.
After dark, the only light in the monument comes from the stars.
That means you won't need any equipment to observe the cosmos. Trillions of stars, the Milky Way, planets, and other celestial bodies are visible to the naked eye, and it's a glorious sight.
You'll definitely want to set up camp to allow for plenty of time to stargaze.
Camping here is free, and no reservations are needed. The best part? There's a good chance that wherever you decide to pitch your tent, you'll have the surrounding area all to yourself.
Please note: a high-clearance vehicle is required to access the monument.
Have you ever been to Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument? If so, what did you think of the night skies? Tell us all about your experience in the comments. For more of the darkest skies in Arizona, check out our previous article.
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