Did you know there are 12 Dark Sky Parks in Arizona? In fact, the Four Corners region has more designated Dark Sky Places than anywhere else in the U.S. One of the most underrated Dark Sky Parks in the Grand Canyon State is Pipe Spring National Monument in Kaibab. This unique place not only boasts stellar night skies (pun intended), but also fascinating Native American and pioneer history.
Located just south of the Utah state line in the small town of Kaibab, Pipe Spring National Monument is one of the most underrated Dark Sky Parks in Arizona.
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund
The monument earned International Dark Sky Park status in 2021, however, it has been a sacred stargazing destination for at least 1,000 years.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument
Ancestral Puebloans and Kaibab Paiute Indians were the earliest-known inhabitants of the site, hunting, gathering, and raising crops on the land.
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund In the mid-1800s, Mormon pioneers arrived and settled on the property before losing ownership in 1887.
In 1923, the National Park Service acquired the site with the intent to turn it into a national monument memorializing both American Indian and western pioneer life.
Wikimedia Commons/Dr U
Visitors can stroll along a half-mile trail, admire historical structures and pieces of equipment, and enjoy living history demonstrations and daily tours.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument The views are also incredible; the wide open landscape appears to extend infinitely in all directions.
As for the stargazing, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more unadulterated night sky.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument On any given evening, you can see the Milky Way band as well as millions of stars illuminating the darkness with their magical glow.
There’s no such thing as a bad time to go stargazing at Pipe Spring, but if you’re looking for a more in-depth experience, the park holds an annual Star Party in collaboration with the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument
The star parties are held at the Kaibab Paiute RV Park and Campground, located about 1/4-mile north of the park.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument No matter what time of year it is, however, staying at the campground lets you extend your Pipe Springs experience and gaze at the stars all night long.
Visit the NPS website for more information about the park. You can also visit its official Facebook page.
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument
In the mid-1800s, Mormon pioneers arrived and settled on the property before losing ownership in 1887.
Wikimedia Commons/Dr U
The views are also incredible; the wide open landscape appears to extend infinitely in all directions.
On any given evening, you can see the Milky Way band as well as millions of stars illuminating the darkness with their magical glow.
Facebook/Pipe Spring National Monument
No matter what time of year it is, however, staying at the campground lets you extend your Pipe Springs experience and gaze at the stars all night long.
Have you ever gone stargazing at Pipe Spring National Monument? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below!
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Address: Pipe Spring National Monument, 406 N Pipe Spring Rd, Kaibab, AZ 86022, USA
