Grand Canyon

Sky Score 70/100≈ Bortle 2

4 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Grand Canyon is a scenic viewpoint in Arizona with a measured darkness of 92/100 (≈ Bortle 2), among the very darkest measurable skies we have rated: the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically September, when about 83% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 35/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 83%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Grand Canyon

Month	Clear night skies	Sky Score (new moon)
January	55%	59/100
February	64%	66/100
March	60%	62/100
April	71%	70/100
May	75%	74/100
June	83%	79/100
July	69%	69/100
August	72%	71/100
September ★	83%	80/100
October	80%	77/100
November	74%	73/100
December	59%	62/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Grand Canyon: sleep under a dark sky

We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Grand Canyon for each.

91/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Grand Canyon Western Ranch

Sky darkness: 91/100
To Grand Canyon: 25.9 km

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89/100sky darkness at this stay

Temple Bar Resort

Sky darkness: 89/100
To Grand Canyon: 30.5 km

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88/100sky darkness at this stay

Canyon's End Motel

Sky darkness: 88/100
To Grand Canyon: 18.4 km
Location: Meadview

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More stays nearby

Meadview Lake Motel
Darkness: 82/100 · 13.7 km from Grand Canyon · Meadview
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Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.

Live prices around Meadview

Meadview is the closest base to Grand Canyon with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.

Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.

Nearby spots in Arizona

Lake Mead National Recreation Area 43 km · Sky Score 68/100
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument 47.8 km · Sky Score 70/100
Mount Logan Wilderness 73.2 km · Sky Score 70/100
Mount Trumbull Wilderness 84.3 km · Sky Score 70/100
Mooney Falls 116.6 km · Sky Score 68/100

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).