Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Sky Score 67/100≈ Bortle 2
Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a protected area in Utah with a measured darkness of 90/100 (≈ Bortle 2) — among the very darkest measurable skies in the American Southwest — the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically September, when about 81% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 67/100. The moon is 7% lit and above the horizon 13% of the night; typical August clear-sky odds here are 68%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Rainbow Bridge National Monument
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 52% | 55/100 |
| February | 61% | 62/100 |
| March | 60% | 61/100 |
| April | 68% | 67/100 |
| May | 73% | 70/100 |
| June | 79% | 75/100 |
| July | 64% | 64/100 |
| August | 68% | 67/100 |
| September ★ | 81% | 76/100 |
| October | 75% | 72/100 |
| November | 72% | 70/100 |
| December | 58% | 60/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night — check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Rainbow Bridge National Monument
No lodging within 80 km — this is true wilderness. Plan to camp, or base yourself in the nearest gateway town and drive out for the night.
Nearby spots in Utah
- Bement Arch Viewpoint — 22.7 km · Sky Score 68/100
- Escalante Canyons Tract 5 Instant Study Area — 40.2 km · Sky Score 69/100
- Fiftymile Mountain Wilderness Study Area — 41.7 km · Sky Score 68/100
- Scorpion Wilderness Study Area — 53.3 km · Sky Score 68/100
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — 66 km · Sky Score 68/100