Northern lights in Utah tonight

One of the USA's best-known dark sky destinations. Bryce Canyon was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019 and sits at 2700 m elevation in the high desert of southern Utah. The hoodoo formations and open plateau give a wide northern horizon with minimal light pollution. Bortle 2 conditions. The park's elevation and dry desert air make for exceptionally transparent skies. About 270 miles from Salt Lake City via I-15 and US-89. The clear, dry Utah plateau atmosphere gives excellent aurora-viewing conditions when activity levels are sufficient.

The first International Dark Sky Park designated anywhere in the world (2007). Located in Utah's canyon country near the Colorado border at 1980 m, with Bortle 1-2 conditions. The canyon rims give open sky in all directions with no significant light sources within 80 km. About 380 miles from Salt Lake City. For aurora, the extreme darkness means even a faint display registers clearly on camera. Combine the aurora with the ancient stone bridges and canyon silhouettes for exceptional photography.

A high-elevation amphitheatre at 3200 m on the Markagunt Plateau in southwestern Utah. Cedar Breaks is an International Dark Sky Park with Bortle 2 conditions. The 400 m-deep canyon facing north and east gives dramatic foreground for aurora photography. The thin atmosphere at this altitude significantly increases aurora visibility compared to lower sites. About 255 miles from Salt Lake City. The monument road is usually closed November to late May due to snow at this elevation.

Just across the Utah-Nevada border, Great Basin NP at 2000+ m sits in one of the least light-polluted regions of the lower 48. The Wheeler Peak area reaches 3982 m. Bortle 1 conditions on the valley floor. About 230 miles from Salt Lake City via US-50. For Utah-based aurora chasers willing to cross the border, Great Basin gives the darkest sky within range. The remote Snake Valley gives a completely flat horizon to the north.