Badlands National Park is easily one of the most beautiful places in South Dakota. You could spend an entire week exploring the 242,000+ acre park, but if you really want to experience the park in a whole new way, then grab your coffee and enjoy a night of stargazing. The Badlands Astronomy Festival is a family-friendly, free event that is great for all ages and skill levels, and there are plenty of activities during the day to keep you entertained until nightfall.

The annual Badlands Astronomy Festival is back for another summer night of epic stargazing in South Dakota, and you won’t want to miss it.
Jeff Owens/Google Reviews
The 2023 Badlands Astronomy Festival takes place Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16, 2023. It's the best time of the month for stargazing in South Dakota because the moon will be at its darkest. While the Badlands isn't an official Dark Sky Park, it is one of the best unofficial dark sky parks in South Dakota, and people travel from all over the country to stargaze here.

There's also a New Moon the following Monday (the 17th), so you'll have very little light pollution coming from the moon during this weekend.
During the day, you can head over to the Visitor Center and participate in one of the many family-friendly events taking place.
Avinash Deshmukh/Google Reviews
There will be special solar telescopes for viewing solar flares (that’s 100 percent safe for your eyes), special guest speakers, a build-your-own-paper-rocket launch, and so much more. Check out the full schedule to learn about all of the activities planned.
But once the sun goes down...
Susan Holt/Google Reviews

Related Stories

There's Something Incredibly Unique About This One Tunnel In South Dakota

There's Something Incredibly Unique About This One Tunnel In South Dakota

 The South Dakota Trail With Epic Geology And Amazing Views You Just Can't Beat

The South Dakota Trail With Epic Geology And Amazing Views You Just Can't Beat

 One Of The Best Campgrounds In South Dakota Is Open For Adventure Year-Round

One Of The Best Campgrounds In South Dakota Is Open For Adventure Year-Round
...that’s when the real fun begins.
Cavan Images/ Cavan Collection via Getty Images
Badlands National Park is one of the best dark sky parks in the country for stargazing. On a clear night, you’ll be amazed at how many stars you can see!
LiHotShots/ iStock Collection via Getty Images
Every night from 9 to 11:30 p.m., there will be a ton of evening programs, presentations, and hands-on experiences to make the most of this epic stargazing in South Dakota.
Badlands National Park/Facebook
There will be telescopes for everyone to use, but feel free to bring your own!
If you plan on taking some pictures, be sure to bring a tripod.
UrsaHoogle/iStock Collection via Getty Images
These long-exposure shorts require a steady hand, and trust me... you need a tripod. Or at least a rock to set your camera down.

Of course, the one thing that’s out of our control is the weather, and you’ll need clear skies to get the best views. Be sure to follow Badlands National Park on Facebook to stay up to date on the Badlands Astronomy Festival, including any potential weather-related updates.

If you plan to spend more time at Badlands, don’t make these mistakes. We wouldn’t want you to walk away with any regrets!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore South Dakota

Featured Addresses
Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA