Heritage StarFest

Heritage StarFest 2025

Started in 2010, this annual festival celebrates the amazing night skies of Capitol Reef and surrounding Wayne County. Come learn more about astronomy, our connection to the night sky, and how darkness is important to the health of all living things.

Hosted by Capitol Reef National Park and the Entrada Institute, this year's events will start on Tuesday, September 16th, and run through the main events on September 19th and 20th. Astrophotography workshops are scheduled for the following week -- September 25-27 -- see details at bottom of page.

Activities and events are free and will take place both in the park and in the nearby town of Torrey, 11 miles west of the visitor center.

Schedule subject to change; check with park for updates.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

• 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Astronomy Evening Program
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

• 8:30 - 9:30 pm - Constellation Tour
  • Gifford House Lawn
  • Bring a red light if possible.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

• 3:00 - 3:30 pm - Bat Talk
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater
• Solar Telescope Viewing
  • In front of the Visitor Center in the late afternoon
• 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Nocturnal Animals Evening Program
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater

Friday, September 19, 2025

• 2:00 pm - Solar Telescope Viewing and Astronomy Activities
  • Outside the Visitor Center during the afternoon
• 3:00 - 3:30 pm - Nocturnal Animals Talk
  • Fruita Campground Amphitheater
• 5:00 - 6:00 pm - Special Presentation: Volcanoes of the Solar System
  • In the Visitor Center Theater
  • University of Utah Astronomy graduate student Samantha Creech
• 7:30 pm - Special Presentations at the Fruita Campground Amphitheater
  • Talk: Astronomy for All
    • Utah State University PhD candidate and NASA Solar System Ambassador Emily Lehnard
  • Performance: Dark Sky Music - Stargazing with classical music
    • Dr. David Koerner, Emeritus Associate Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University

• Telescope Program - Following the evening presentations (after dark), join park rangers and guest amateur astronomers to view celestial wonders through a variety of telescopes. Telescopes will be set up in the Fruita Campground Amphitheater Parking Lot.
  • Park across from the Gifford House or at the Picnic Area, or walk over from the campground.
  • Bring a red light if possible; no white lights allowed in the viewing area.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Events will take place at the Torrey Town Park (100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah) and at the Entrada Institute's Robber's Roost (185 W. Main Street in Torrey, Utah).

• 10:00 am - 12:00 noon - Kid's Astronomy Activities
  • at Torrey Town Park: 100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah

• 1:00 - 4:30 pm - Dark Sky Presentations
  • at the Robber's Roost in Torrey: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Advanced Registration required to reserve a seat - visit the Entrada Institute webpage to register.
  • Topics:
    • Dark Sky Data and Trends
    • Dark Skies Community Engagement in Torrey
    • Night Sky Intern Project Summary
    • Torrey Dark Skies Update
    • Capitol Reef Field Station & Entrada Observatory Plans
    • Dark Sky Stewardship Awards

• 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Special Presentation: To the Edge of Infinity: Our Solar System Through the Eyes of Spacecraft
  • Special Guest Speaker: Jason Trump, Director of Education, Clark Planetarium
  • Robber's Roost: 185 W. Main Street, Torrey, Utah
  • Advanced Registration required to reserve a seat - visit the Entrada Institute webpage to register.

• 9:00 pm - Torrey Park Telescope Program
  • Torrey Town Park: 100 N. 75 East in Torrey, Utah
  • Join park staff and volunteers, community partners and guest amateur astronomers to view the Milky Way and other celestial wonders through many different telescopes.
• 9:30 pm - Dark Sky Monitoring
  • Participate in dark sky data collection for Utah's first International Dark Sky Community!
  • Meet at the Torrey Town Park, under the solar panels, to help document the quality of the night sky. Orientation and training will be provided, and then volunteers will be driving to a variety of locations in the Torrey-Teasdale area.
  • For more information or to sign up, please email: care_information@nps.gov

Volunteering for Heritage StarFest

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email the park's volunteer office. Join in the fun with your personal telescope or provide assistance with events.

Beginner Astrophotography Workshops:

September 25-27, 2025

Capitol Reef National Park is hosting free Beginner Astrophotography Workshops with nationally known astrophotographer, Don Riddle, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 25-27, 2025.

Each night is a stand-alone workshop on how to successfully take photos of the Milky Way. The workshops begin at 7:00 pm, allowing time to get familiar with your camera settings while there is still sunlight. The evening finishes around 11:00 pm. Locations and maps will be provided upon registration. An optional drop-in session will be held the following morning to learn tips for editing your photos.

Required Equipment for All Participants:

• Camera with ISO up to 6400 available (DSLR or mirrorless, please)
• Wide angle lens 50mm or less (stock lenses are okay, f-stop lower than 3.2 is preferred)
• Sturdy tripod
• Red light headlamp
• Extra memory card
• Thumb drive

Recommended Equipment for All Participants:

• Remote shutter
• Extra batteries
• Warm clothes – it gets cool in Utah at night!
• Water and snacks
• Camp chair – there is no seating available at the workshop location

Registration is Required

The workshops are free, but registration is required, and each night's workshop is limited to 15 participants. Registration is open and you may register by emailing e-mail us or by calling 435-425-4112. If no answer, please leave a voice message. In your email or voice message, please include your name, phone number, email address and how many people you would like to sign up. A ranger will contact you to confirm your registration.