Panorama Point - Dark Skies for Stargazing

Q: Is it worth visiting if I only have an hour?

Yes. The daylight geology and scenic photography take 30-45 minutes. For stargazing, plan 90 minutes after sunset to let your eyes adjust for better celestial visibility.

Q: Can I reserve a parking spot in advance?

No reservations are available for Panorama Point parking. Arrive before 8 AM during peak season (March-October) or after 3 PM for best availability. No time limits are enforced once parked.

Q: What facilities are here?

Vault toilets, picnic tables, and picnic shelters are available—all wheelchair-accessible. No potable water is provided; bring water with you.

Q: When is the best stargazing—summer or winter?

Winter offers longer nights and often clearer skies due to lower humidity and fewer visitors. Bundle up—high elevation means wind and cold. Summer allows evening stargazing after daytime crowds leave (after 7 PM). Moonless phases (new moon) provide the darkest skies year-round.

Q: Will my RV fit in the parking area?

Yes, RV and bus parking are available in the paved parking area. The park road is paved and suitable for large vehicles.

Q: What if the sky is cloudy on my visit?

Desert skies typically clear quickly within hours. Check Weather.gov forecast or return the next night. New moon phases also provide darker skies than full moon nights.

Type

Scenic Overlook

Accessibility

Drive-up view

Best Season

Year-round accessible. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and excellent stargazing. Summer (June-August) is busy but allows evening stargazing after crowds disperse (after 7 PM). Winter (November-February) provides the longest nights for stargazing; dress very warmly due to high-elevation winds and cold.

Features

Panoramic views of the Fiery Furnace sandstone fins, Devils Garden arch formations, and La Sal Mountains. International Dark Sky Park site for stargazing.

Overview

About This Attraction

From Panorama Point's hilltop vantage, the view encompasses three distinct geological zones: the finely-eroded Entrada sandstone fins of the Fiery Furnace stretching eastward in parallel rows, the jagged La Sal Mountains rising steeply to the southeast (a Laramide-age granitic uplift), and the sprawling arch formations of Devils Garden to the north. The thin, knife-like fins are shaped by aeolian—wind—erosion and occasional water flow, while the mountains represent deep crustal tectonics; observing both from one point illustrates Arches' geological complexity. By night, the site becomes a premier stargazing location within an International Dark Sky Park, offering unobstructed views of celestial objects. Accessible paved parking and sidewalks make this an essential stop for visitors of all mobility levels.

Quick Facts

Type

Scenic Overlook

Access

Drive-up view

Main Features

Panoramic views of the Fiery Furnace sandstone fins, Devils Garden arch formations, and La Sal Mountains. International Dark Sky Park site for stargazing.

What You'll See

Panoramic views of three distinct geological features: knife-like orange Entrada sandstone fins of the Fiery Furnace in the foreground, jagged La Sal Mountains with granitic peaks on the southeastern horizon, and varied arch formations of Devils Garden sprawling northward. Night skies reveal the Milky Way's galactic core, bright planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Venus seasonally), and thousands of stars unobstructed by light pollution.

What Makes It Special

Encompasses views of multiple geological eras and processes in a single panorama: Entrada sandstone erosional features (fins and arches) alongside a Laramide-age granitic uplift (La Sal Mountains), illustrating both erosional and tectonic sculpting of the landscape.

Best Time to Visit

For daylight viewing: early morning (before 8 AM) or late afternoon (after 3 PM) to avoid crowds and gain angled light highlighting the Entrada Formation's texture. For stargazing: 90 minutes after sunset when eyes fully adjust; moonless nights (new moon phases) provide the darkest skies.

Safety Considerations

High elevation and exposed hilltop create strong winds and rapid temperature fluctuations—dress in layers. Afternoon thunderstorms (July-August) pose lightning risk; avoid during storm warnings. Night stargazing requires attention to dark-adapted vision—use red-light flashlights to preserve night sight. Maintain 25 yards from wildlife (mule deer, bighorn sheep); 100 yards from bears and wolves if present. Parking area edges have no guardrails—supervise children.

Visitor Tips

Arrive before 8 AM during peak season to secure parking; the lot fills rapidly 9 AM–3 PM.\n
Use a red-light flashlight at night to preserve your night vision for stargazing.\n
The hilltop is windy and exposed—dress in layers and bring a windbreaker.\n
Look for fine erosional striations and parallel fins of the Entrada Formation—evidence of millions of years of aeolian sculpting.\n
Binoculars reveal detail in the Fiery Furnace maze; a telescope reveals Saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons when visible.\n
Maintain 25 yards from mule deer and bighorn sheep; 100 yards from bears and wolves.\n
Avoid midday (10 AM–3 PM) for photography—morning or late afternoon angles reveal rich red-orange rock tones.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Scenic Overlook

GPS: 38.7184393063, -109.553988162

What Makes It Unique:

Geology

Formation Type: Scenic Overlook

Getting There

Directions:

Follow the main park road to Panorama Point scenic area. The site is accessible by passenger vehicle, RV, and tour bus. Paved parking area with multiple pullouts; no reservations required.

Access Type: Drive-up view

Road: Paved throughout. The park road and parking area are paved and maintained.

Seasonal Access: Year-round accessible. The park is open 24/7, and the road to Panorama Point is maintained year-round. Severe winter storms may rarely cause brief closures—check NPS alerts for current road status.

Parking: Ample parking during off-peak hours. Fills by 8 AM during peak season (March-October). No time limits enforced once parked.

Entry Fees: Covered under Arches National Park entrance fee: $30 per private vehicle (7-day pass), $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot/bicycle.

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

The paved parking area offers multiple vantage points. The main overlook platform provides the widest panoramic view of all three geological zones. The picnic area viewpoints offer different angles of the Fiery Furnace fins. For stargazing, position yourself at the western end of the parking area, facing away from residual light from Moab to the northwest.

Photo Opportunities:

The Entrada Formation's parallel fins create dramatic linear patterns ideal for abstract composition. The La Sal Mountains' profile against the horizon is a classic landscape frame. Afternoon alpenglow on the red rock is exceptional. Starfield photography is outstanding—use manual focus and ISO 3200+ settings.

Best Photo Spots:

Main overlook platform: wide panoramic shots of all three features. Picnic area viewpoint: closer detail of Fiery Furnace fins. Western parking area: optimal angle for starfield photography without Moab light.

Sunrise/Sunset: Sunset is excellent for photography—alpenglow illuminates the red rocks with deep orange and pink tones. Late afternoon sun creates dramatic shadow contrast across the sandstone fins. Sunrise is less optimal from this viewpoint as the sun rises from the east, backlighting distant features.

Stargazing: Excellent—designated International Dark Sky Park. Milky Way core, planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Venus seasonally), and thousands of stars are visible without significant light pollution.

Facilities

Restrooms (Vault/Composting)
Picnic Areas

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, ringtail cats, kit foxes. Maintain 25 yards from most wildlife; 100 yards from bears and wolves if present (bears are rare in this area).

Best Wildlife Viewing: Bighorn sheep and mule deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Summer months bring increased activity. Nocturnal creatures (kit foxes, ringtail cats) are active after sunset during stargazing hours, though sightings are uncommon.

Seasonal Information

Best Season: Year-round accessible. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and excellent stargazing. Summer (June-August) is busy but allows evening stargazing after crowds disperse (after 7 PM). Winter (November-February) provides the longest nights for stargazing; dress very warmly due to high-elevation winds and cold.

Best Times: Before 8 AM or after 3 PM during March-October peak season. November-February has fewer visitors and excellent stargazing conditions due to longer nights and lower humidity.

Parking Fills: 9 AM–3 PM during peak season (March-October), especially weekends. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM for best parking availability.

Weather:

Afternoon thunderstorms are common July-August and pose flash flood hazards in nearby washes—avoid roads during storms. High elevation causes temperature swings of 30°F between sun and shade. Strong winds on the hilltop, especially spring (March-May). Dry air and low humidity; bring sunscreen and water.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and Permit Area, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Devils Garden Trail, Moab Fault Viewpoint, Wolfe Ranch, Devils Garden Campground.

Nearby Services:

Moab offers restaurants, lodging, and supplies. Arches Visitor Center provides park information. Devils Garden Campground provides overnight camping options.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Paved parking area with wheelchair-accessible spaces and picnic areas. Paved sidewalks connect parking to viewpoints. Vault toilets are wheelchair-accessible.

Family Friendly:

The drive-up viewpoint and accessible paved parking make this suitable for families with young children and visitors with mobility challenges. Dress in layers due to high elevation and wind. Supervise children near parking area edges (no railings). Maintain wildlife distance. Picnic areas provide shaded breaks. Night visits require adult supervision due to darkness and traffic hazards.

Nearby Facilities:

Arches Visitor Center, Devils Garden Campground, and picnic facilities within the park. Moab provides full lodging, dining, and supply services.

FAQs

Do I have to hike to see the stars?

No. Panorama Point is a scenic overlook accessible from a paved parking area. The viewpoints along the parking area and sidewalks offer excellent stargazing without leaving your vehicle.

Is it worth visiting if I only have an hour?

Can I reserve a parking spot in advance?

What facilities are here?

When is the best stargazing—summer or winter?

Will my RV fit in the parking area?

What if the sky is cloudy on my visit?