Dark Skies Forecast for US Southwest
Astrophotography in the Southwest. Track dark skies at Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon.
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Astrophotography in the Southwest. Track dark skies at Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon.
This rule looks for true astronomical night, cloud cover no higher than 20%, visibility of at least 12 km, precipitation probability no higher than 10%, and either Moon illumination no higher than 35% or Moon altitude no higher than 10°. It does not calculate Galactic Centre or Milky Way core altitude; check a sky planner for the subject's position.
This forecast finds astronomical-night windows with low cloud and precipitation risk, good visibility, and either a dim Moon or one low in the sky. It does not calculate Milky Way core altitude; use a sky planner to confirm the core's position for your composition.
The American Southwest offers some of the darkest skies in the developed world. Many of these locations hold International Dark Sky Park designations, meaning active protection of their exceptional night sky quality.
What makes the Southwest special for astrophotography:
- Exceptional darkness - Death Valley and Big Bend rank among the darkest places in North America
- Dry climate - Low humidity means better atmospheric transparency and seeing conditions
- Iconic foregrounds - Arches, hoodoos, mesas, and desert landscapes create unforgettable compositions
- Altitude advantage - Many locations sit above 5,000 feet, reducing atmospheric interference
The Milky Way core is best visible from March through October in the Northern Hemisphere. For the most dramatic shots, plan around new moon phases and arrive well before astronomical twilight ends. Summer months offer the Milky Way core high overhead, while spring and fall provide lower-angle views perfect for wide landscape compositions.
Location status
0 of 10 locations currently active
Monument Valley
InactiveMonument Valley’s isolated sandstone buttes rise above open desert, offering clean silhouettes, layered mesas and long shadows across the red valley floor.
Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah, United States
Right now: Total Cloud Coverage too high (100%, ≤ 20.0%)
Bryce Canyon
InactiveBryce Canyon’s dense hoodoos form intricate patterns below the rim, with winter snow occasionally separating orange spires into graphic layers.
Bryce, Arizona, United States
Right now: Moon Altitude too high (10°, ≤ 10.0°)
1 opportunity in next 14 days
Arches
InactiveArches pairs freestanding sandstone arches with fins, balanced rocks and distant La Sal peaks, ideal for framed desert views and night-sky silhouettes.
Moab, Utah, United States
Right now: Astronomical Night: Outside time window
Grand Canyon
InactiveThe Grand Canyon layers cliffs, temples and the Colorado River into immense depth, with changing light revealing successive bands of rock and atmosphere.
Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States
Right now: Total Cloud Coverage too high (90%, ≤ 20.0%)
Death Valley
InactiveDeath Valley offers salt polygons, alluvial fans, dunes and eroded badlands, with winter bringing milder conditions and occasional cloud texture.
Furnace Creek, California, United States
Right now: Astronomical Night: Outside time window
6 opportunities in next 14 days
Joshua Tree
InactiveJoshua Tree combines branching desert trees with rounded granite boulders, open washes and mountain silhouettes for strong foreground-led night scenes.
Twentynine Palms, California, United States
Right now: Astronomical Night: Outside time window
4 opportunities in next 14 days
White Sands
InactiveWhite Sands presents repeating gypsum dunes, wind-carved ripples and sparse yucca, with low light defining curves and blue-hour shadows.
Alamogordo, New Mexico, United States
Right now: Moon Altitude too high (13°, ≤ 10.0°)
1 opportunity in next 14 days
Sedona
InactiveSedona’s red sandstone towers rise above juniper-covered slopes, creating bold color contrast, framed canyon views and layered desert ridgelines.
Sedona, Arizona, United States
Right now: Total Cloud Coverage too high (100%, ≤ 20.0%)
Capitol Reef
InactiveCapitol Reef combines the Waterpocket Fold, pale domes, orchards and narrow canyons, with rock layers and cottonwoods supplying scale and contrast.
Torrey, Utah, United States
Right now: Total Cloud Coverage too high (40%, ≤ 20.0%)
1 opportunity in next 14 days
Big Bend
InactiveBig Bend frames the Chisos Mountains, Chihuahuan Desert and Rio Grande canyons in broad layers, with spring wildflowers appearing in favorable years.
Terlingua, Texas, United States
Right now: Moon Altitude too high (17°, ≤ 10.0°)
3 opportunities in next 14 days
What's blocking opportunities
92-hour view of conditions preventing matches across 10 locations
How this forecast is made
Opportunities are threshold-based signals: PhotoWeather checks whether forecast conditions match the rules for a photography scenario. They are planning guidance, not guarantees. Forecasts can change as new model runs arrive, and confidence generally decreases farther into the forecast horizon, so recheck conditions before travelling.
The weather forecast foundation comes through Open-Meteo , which aggregates models from weather agencies. PhotoWeather applies condition-specific thresholds and derived calculations; not every condition uses every model or data input.
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