Skip to content
Discover FLagstaff
57°F
0
Saved

  • Things to Do
    • Grand Canyon National Park
    • Outdoors and Nature
    • Art & Culture
    • Shopping
    • Indoor Recreation
    • Tours
    • Scenic Drives & Day Trips
    • Weekly Events
    • Spring Training
    • Visitor Guide
    • High Altitude Training
    • Art Galleries
    • Discover Flagstaff’s Top 21 Must-Dos
    • Untraveled Flagstaff
  • Events
    • Festivals
    • Summer Events
    • Fall Events
    • Winter Events
    • Submit Event
    • Spring Events
  • Where to Stay
    • Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Hostels
    • Campgrounds
  • Dining & Nightlife
    • Restaurants
    • Bars & Nightlife
    • Breweries
    • Pet-Friendly Patios
    • Wipe The Smile
    • Coffee
    • Live Music
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Transportation
    • Weather & Average Temperature
    • Maps
    • Travel Guide
    • Visitor Center
    • About Flagstaff
    • Travel Tips
    • Parking
    • Pet Friendly Flagstaff
    • LEAF-ometer
    • Languages
    • Girls Getaway Flagstaff
    • Be Fire Aware
    • Snow-ometer
  • Blog
  • Meeting Planners
  • Travel Trade
  • Weddings
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Astronomy & Dark Skies

FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT -- Stage 2 -- Previous restrictions are in effect with the addition:

Use of open fire pits including campfires and other open flame devices without an on and off switch are prohibited. Charcoal grills are prohibited throughout the City of Flagstaff including private residences and campgrounds. Click here for full restrictions.

More Info
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Outdoors and Nature
  • Astronomy & Dark Skies
  • A Night in Flagstaff NFT
  • Astronomical Events

Astronomy & Dark Skies

Share

Flagstaff’s commitment to stargazing is supported with light restrictions making it the ideal destination to explore the night skies.

night sky over buffalo park in Flagstaff

DARK SKIES

On October 24th, 2001, the City of Flagstaff became the World’s First “International Dark Sky City” a designation awarded by the International Dark Sky Association. Flagstaff’s low light pollution and commitment to enforcing stargazing-friendly lighting restrictions make it the ideal destination to explore the night skies.

Long before Flagstaff received this recognition in 2001, world-renowned astronomers had already discovered that this beautiful town in the mountains was perfect for astronomy. Founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell, Lowell Observatory is still an active astronomical research facility and welcomes visitors year-round for tours and telescope viewing. In 1989 innovative lighting codes were developed for Flagstaff and Coconino County that were the first to restrict the amount of light permitted in outdoor lighting. These codes aide in minimizing artificial sky glow and glare and conserve energy with a goal of protecting the nighttime environment.

lowell observatory rotunda
Lowell Observatory
Dark Skies Panorama
Dark Skies Coalition

Why else is Flagstaff such a great astronomy destination? Once upon a time, a meteorite collided with Earth about 42 miles away from downtown Flagstaff, and it left us with a giant Meteor Crater! You can still go check out the impact site today, where it's preserved for US astronaut training, tours, and space education.

Meteor Crater

5 REASONS WHY FLAGSTAFF IS AN ASTROTOURISM DESTINATION

Learn More

In This Section

  • A Night in Flagstaff NFT
  • Astronomical Calendar of Events 2022
Lunar Legacy
Learn More
front cover of the Flagstaff visitor guide

Request A Free Travel Guide

The Flagstaff Travel Guide is an annual publication featuring the accommodations, restaurants, activities and useful travel information for the Flagstaff area.

Get The Guide
  • About Discover Flagstaff
  • Partners & Stakeholders
  • Media
  • Film
  • Translations
  • Sitemap

Flagstaff Visitor Center

One E. Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
U.S. 001.928.213.2951
VisitorCenter@flagstaffaz.gov

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Flagstaff 365 Happenings

Find local events for the upcoming week with Flagstaff 365 Happenings!