Price
Stargazing Guide.

Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Price, UT. From the verified horizons at verified local spots to the scientific Bortle Class 2 reports at Observation Point, your journey to the stars starts here.

Scientific NPS Bortle Regional Benchmarking
2
~72.0mi at Observation Point
Scientific NPS SQM Instrumented Reading
21.66
Regional Atmospheric Base
Verified Spots Community Vetted
0
~0.0mi to verified local spots
Dark Sky Oasis Certified IDA Park
6.2mi
IDA: Helper, Utah

Stargazing Logistics for Price

  • STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: verified local spots. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~0.0 mile radius.
  • STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class A (Pristine). Use the instrumented 2 rating from Observation Point as your technical benchmark for the region.
  • STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Utah Valley Astronomy Club for updated site access and group observation schedules.
  • STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 0 recognized sites near Price offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Local Observation Strategy

Price acts as a primary gateway to the verified local spots zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 2) at Observation Point just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.

The Best Times for Stargazing in Price

Observation in Price is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Southwest region often result in significantly higher transparency, allowing you to see objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula with much more definition.

Expert Tips for Price Observers

If you're visiting verified local spots, bring a pack of chemical hand-warmers and rubber-band them to your eyepiece or camera lens. This acts as a 'budget' dew heater, which is essential for the humid nights often found in UT during the peak viewing seasons. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 2 at Observation Point (72.0 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.

Regional Perspective: Price is situated just 56.6 miles from Spanish Fork, but its local horizon often provides a more stable viewing experience for planetary targets.
Community Vetted
Methodology Verified

Best Spots for Stargazing in Price

The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Max out your local session by using the essential observer gear staged for the Price environment.

Celestial Alert
Real-Time Tracking

2026 Celestial Roadmap for Price

With a Bortle 2, Price offers world-class visibility. Wait for astronomical twilight for peak contrast.

Swipe
Instrumented Data

Sky Quality Reports for Price

Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Price observers should check our recommended optics kit.

Observation Point

Goblin Valley SP

72.0 mi
Distance
21.66 SQM
Bortle Class 2

Local Relevance

For observers in Price, Observation Point serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.

"An excellent night sky from this location. Moab and Green River barley visible to the E and NE and the Greater Salt Lake City area also just visible to the north. There is some residual haze along the distant horizon from the very hot temperatures. Very good detail in the Milky Way and stars visible down to almost the horizon to the south. Some airglow obvious all around (especially to the west), but otherwise a fairly pristine night sky. No artificial lights from within the park visible from this astronomy site."

Observation Date
6/16/2015
Elevation
1515m
Zenith Brightness
22

Timpooneke Road

Timpanogos Cave NM

73.8 mi
Distance
20 SQM
Bortle Class 6

Local Relevance

The scientific findings at Timpooneke Road provide Price residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.

"This site provides an excellent regional monitoring location that includes views of the Greater Salt Lake City area and the Provo/Orem area. Skies were completely cloud free, but smoke and/or haze was easily visible on the horizon to the NW and SW. The lights of Provo/Orem and Lehi City were directly below and very bright. The lights of Provo/Orem were considerably brighter (cooler blue/white) than those in the Lehi City area. To the east, the skies were fairly dark and the observer was able to see stars to 6.2 magnitude. The Milky Way was visible but not much detail could be seen. The landscape of nearby Mt Timpanogos was completely illuminated by the sky glow and glare from the valley below."

Observation Date
8/17/2017
Elevation
2582m
Zenith Brightness
20.26
Certified Destinations

Dark Sky Oasis near Price

Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Certified dark skies like these are most rewarding when paired with the right aperture. Check out our suggested kit for Price observers.

International Dark Sky Community Certified

Helper, Utah

Price stargazers often look to Helper, Utah as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.

58 South Main Street, Helper, UT 84526 U.S.

Scale
4.7 km2
Coordinates
39.6841, -110.8546
Dark Sky Park Certified

Goblin Valley State Park

Price stargazers often look to Goblin Valley State Park as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.

18630 Goblin Valley Road Green River, UT 84525 USA

Scale
40.12 km2
Coordinates
38.5982, -110.7000
Community Hubs

Astronomy Clubs for Price

Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Don't show up to the club dark-site empty-handed. View the field kit we've curated for the The Celestial Photographer profile.

NASA Club ID
#612
67.2 mi
Distance

Utah Valley Astronomy Club

Orem, UT

NASA Club ID
#167
98.5 mi
Distance

Salt Lake Astronomical Society (SLAS)

Salt Lake City, UT

The Celestial Photographer's Staging Advice

Gearing Up for Price Nights

"Since deep darkness at sites like the local staging areas is less than a 15-minute dash from Price, you can justify using heavier, high-aperture telescopes that would be a hassle to transport long distances."

The Price Field Kit

Designing a field kit for Price requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With verified local spots sitting at a ~0-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.

Level 1: EssentialsLevel 2: OpticsLevel 3: Power