Dark Ranger Telescope Tours
Dark Ranger Telescope Tours
4.9
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Monday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Tuesday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Wednesday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Thursday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Friday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Saturday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Sunday
8:30 PM - 11:45 PM
Full view
About
See our Universe's wonders through BIG telescopes in the darkest/best stargazing location in USA -Utah's Bryce Canyon region. Watch live multimedia presentations about astronomy and nocturnal animals. Learn constellation stories during laser sky tours. Work on your Astronomy Boy/Girl Scout Badge. By capping attendance at 42, our knowledgeable and entertaining astronomers provide the premium astronomy experience. Private Tours up to 150 people also available by special request.
Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.9
636 reviews
Excellent
582
Very good
32
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
6
Nickk S
Tampa, FL18 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My sons are I are from the heavily light-pollution East coast and were excited to see stars under the Western skies when we booked time with the Dark Rangers. These people are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about science and the stars and it shines out of everything that they do.
The night we went turned out to be significantly cloudy, which was slightly disappointing, but the Dark Ranger team continued to pump out knowledge and do their best to find stars and objects to show us with their very expensive and nice equipment (this isn't your childhood telescope). While we didn't get to see as much as we had hoped due to the clouds, the night was still a win for my boys because of the presentations that the team did. The woman leading the team that night was a college student who is learning Astrobiology and taught on it during intermission, which was very interesting. The team answered every question with passion and said they would stay as late as people wanted to use the telescopes.
Before the night began, the team was very good at communications, especially knowing that it would be cloudy, and even offered people the chance to come back the next night instead of that night. Unfortunately for us, this was our only night in the area, but I wanted to express that the Dark Ranger team did their absolute best to work with everyone and still put on a good show.
If we find ourselves back in this part of the country again, we hope to secure another time with the Dark Rangers.
The night we went turned out to be significantly cloudy, which was slightly disappointing, but the Dark Ranger team continued to pump out knowledge and do their best to find stars and objects to show us with their very expensive and nice equipment (this isn't your childhood telescope). While we didn't get to see as much as we had hoped due to the clouds, the night was still a win for my boys because of the presentations that the team did. The woman leading the team that night was a college student who is learning Astrobiology and taught on it during intermission, which was very interesting. The team answered every question with passion and said they would stay as late as people wanted to use the telescopes.
Before the night began, the team was very good at communications, especially knowing that it would be cloudy, and even offered people the chance to come back the next night instead of that night. Unfortunately for us, this was our only night in the area, but I wanted to express that the Dark Ranger team did their absolute best to work with everyone and still put on a good show.
If we find ourselves back in this part of the country again, we hope to secure another time with the Dark Rangers.
Written June 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki M
Fairbanks, AK12 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We had a wonderful time with Dark Ranger Kevin! He gave a very entertaining and informative presentation and even though we had a few clouds wandering through he was always able to find something interesting for us to look at. We were even allowed to touch and adjust the very expensive telescopes! We never knew 3 hours could pass so quickly and completely forgot about being cold - it’s a pleasure to listen to someone who is so passionate about what they do!
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J S
2 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
This was our second time experiencing the Dark Skies Ranger Telescope Tour and we brought along our friends whom with we were traveling. We all thought Dark Skies was over of the highlights (or would that be highdarks) of our trip. Ranger Kevin was one of the most entertaining and educational speakers I've ever encountered. The one thing that they emphasize that you want to heed is "dress warm". Even though it was 85 degrees during the day, at night it gets cold. The extra blankets, coats, and hot drinks that they provide do help. They had 7 telescopes set up for us and we went through 2 different series of viewing so, in total, we saw 14 different astronomical bodies ranging from Saturn to star clusters. I highly recommend the Dark Skies experience!
Written September 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allyn G
Odessa, Fl59 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
During our family's recent vacation to southern Utah, we were reminded how amazing it is to escape city light pollution and rediscover the heavens in an elevated rural setting. The Utah night sky is so brilliant, it compelled us to add a Dark Ranger Telescope Tour to our trip to Bryce Canyon National Park. Recommended by our E-bike tour guide, they did not disappoint. Our personal favorites were the ring and moons of Saturn, the Milky Way, and constellation mythology. Be sure to dress in layers as recommended by the company's website. It's chilly, even in late July. Blankets and hot refreshments are provided, as are comfortable seats for a slide show presentation. There are plenty of telescopes to share and the guides truly are experts with them, presenting astronomy with enthusiasm and humor. If you want to take pictures, be sure to bring your own tripod for stability and be sure to familiarize yourself with your camera's settings ahead of time for lowlight shutter speeds. No flash photography allowed! Enjoy!
Written August 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture503276
5 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Absolutely the most entertaining and educational eexperience of my lifetime. A small cadre of brilliant young scientists led us on an exploration of the universe near and far.
Whether it was as near as the craters of the moon or two galaxies merging thousands of lightyears they took us there and made us feel part of their worldview. Or perhaps I should say universe view.
This was followed by a highly informative and yet easily understandable broad brushstrokes explanation of the life cycles of stars.
Questions flowed from the youngest attendede as well as doddering senior citizens such as myself. Thet were answered with a verve that felt like auditing the most exciting class in astronomy with a smidgen of astrophysics.
My generation thought these scientists would be laboring on the moon by this time. Unfortunately science has not been the priority it should have been and many languish making the best of shrinking dark spaces on earth to explore the universe.
Join these young leaders and feel the thrill of scientific discovery. A bargain for the wallet and a boost for the brain.
Support them, support science, and thrill to the universe around us
Whether it was as near as the craters of the moon or two galaxies merging thousands of lightyears they took us there and made us feel part of their worldview. Or perhaps I should say universe view.
This was followed by a highly informative and yet easily understandable broad brushstrokes explanation of the life cycles of stars.
Questions flowed from the youngest attendede as well as doddering senior citizens such as myself. Thet were answered with a verve that felt like auditing the most exciting class in astronomy with a smidgen of astrophysics.
My generation thought these scientists would be laboring on the moon by this time. Unfortunately science has not been the priority it should have been and many languish making the best of shrinking dark spaces on earth to explore the universe.
Join these young leaders and feel the thrill of scientific discovery. A bargain for the wallet and a boost for the brain.
Support them, support science, and thrill to the universe around us
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ljruby
Gurnee10 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
We had an amazing time. Kevin and Logan were excellent guides, very helpful and funny! We appreciated all the work these gentleman took to make our experience exceed our expectations ( and the hot cider was delicious). We absolutely recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in our universe and beyond!
Written October 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glenda t
newcastle127 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We booked a private tour, there was 3 of us, so we paid for an imaginary friend ( to make the number up to 4).
Well worth it.
We had a great time!
Our guide was called Daniel. He took the time to explain lots of things to us, we got to see Saturn and it's rings, Andromeda galaxy, and so much more.
Daniel made us a hot chocolate, it was very cold, we took warm clothes, because we were advised to do so.
Sadly clouds came in, but not before we got to see lots of things.
Our family love the stars. So we thoroughly enjoyed it, and would highly recommend this.
Daniel, thank you. Thank you for your patience.
We did have a set of photos done, and I was a little disappointed, they were sort of red colour, I think because you had to use infra red.
But I would recommend getting them done. Lovely to keep.
Don't go to Bryce and not visit these ppl.
Well worth it.
We had a great time!
Our guide was called Daniel. He took the time to explain lots of things to us, we got to see Saturn and it's rings, Andromeda galaxy, and so much more.
Daniel made us a hot chocolate, it was very cold, we took warm clothes, because we were advised to do so.
Sadly clouds came in, but not before we got to see lots of things.
Our family love the stars. So we thoroughly enjoyed it, and would highly recommend this.
Daniel, thank you. Thank you for your patience.
We did have a set of photos done, and I was a little disappointed, they were sort of red colour, I think because you had to use infra red.
But I would recommend getting them done. Lovely to keep.
Don't go to Bryce and not visit these ppl.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allymckill
Pittsburgh, PA62 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
This was such an interesting, unique, and fascinating experience. I learned a lot about space, stars, and why preserving the dark sky experience is so important. The dark sky rangers are so clearly passionate about their work and sharing their knowledge with others. It doesn’t hurt that they do much of it with a side of humor, too! They made sure the experience was accessible and engaging for all. Side note, when they tell you over and over beforehand that it’s cold believe them…IT IS COLD! Be prepared. And if you’re not prepared, well…the extra blankets and coats are a nice touch :) Thanks again for a truly enjoyable and memorable evening!!!
Written October 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jenni o
San Francisco, CA77 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
One of the highlights of our trip. Logan was so interesting and the stars and planets he lined up for us to see so astounding that we stayed out in 11F temps to view. He had hot drinks and blankets when we needed them. Highly recommend you do this. It's less than 10mins drive from hotels in Bryce Canyon city and very easy to find and it's so worth it to see things like craters of the moon, nebula, rings of Saturn etc. We were thrilled.
Written January 9, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire T
Manchester, UK7 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
An amazing evening of star gazing. The Dark Rangers were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their craft, as well as really friendly. We had plenty of time and opportunities to use the telescopes and got great views of stars, Saturn, the moon and even the distant Neptune. A presentation on the space race was just a tad too long though, especially in the cold, but didn't detract too much from a great experience. Well worth doing during your trip to Bryce Canyon.
Written September 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are scheduled for dark ranger on October 24. Plan was to drive back to Zion lodge at 11:00 pm. Now someone is telling me this is really unsafe!
Need advice.
Written October 17, 2022
We were there in June 2022 We stayed in Bryce and yes it is a dark road in with no lights. Waze will not help and cell service is iffy. We were with a Tour group. Not sure I would want to drive to Zion that night at 11 pm - though our evening went until 12 am. That said - it was an awesome experience and they are quite the amazing crew. The 'owner' has quite the spiel for talking hope this helped - Good Luck
Written October 19, 2022
What is the difference between this and the program offered in Bryce National Park?
Written April 3, 2018
Kevin P
Tropic, Utah
Hi! We know Bryce Canyon's operation well as I ran it for 14 years prior to starting Dark Ranger Telescope Tours. Our telescopes are larger. Our sky is darker. Our staff is more experienced. We cap attendance at 42 in summer or 21 in winter. Where they setup 3-5 telescopes for 300 people, we offer 1 telescope for every 5-7 guests. Our motto is "more time viewing, less time queueing." We offer a hands-on experience where there's enough time for everybody to adjust the focus for his/her exact vision, where they have to keep the
lines moving. We also offer private tours where you can practice Astrophotography, learn telescope operation and rent our more portable telescope for additional viewing on your own, while you are here under the pristine sky of southern Utah. Private tours start at double the price, but our public tours are only $30/adult, $15/teen, and $7.50 kids. Bryce Canyon's astronomy is free (after you pay the $30 entrance fee).
Written April 4, 2018
are you handicapped accessible? my husband has a small 4 wheeled motorized scooter. how far in advance do you have to make a reservation for a tour? we will be staying in tropic in mid june.
thank you
terri amos
Written March 11, 2017
Kevin P
Tropic, Utah
Hi Terri,
We are handicapped accessible including: parking, restroom (port-a-potty), amphitheater, and our double-headed telescope.
As long as you'll NOT be here on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday night, you can probably wait until the week before to make your reservation. Tues, Thurs, Sat are available for private telescope tours. And although private tours are twice as expensive, and with a 3-person minimum, they are still very popular and are often book several months in advance.
Follow the link to our website to make your reservation... Sorry but TA won't let me type URLs into answers. :-(
- kevin
Written March 11, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.