Saddle Mountain Wilderness Dark Sky Area
Marble Canyon, AZ
The Saddle Mountain Wilderness area on the Kaibab Plateau offers some of the darkest skies in the continental United States, with virtually no light pollution from any direction. The area is part of the Kaibab National Forest and is designated for primitive recreation. The combination of high elevation meadows and dark skies makes it exceptional for astrophotography.
Photography Guide
- Best Time
- night
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Shot Types
- astrophotographylong-exposurewide
- Best Seasons
- springsummerfall
Gallery
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Nearby Places
Marble Canyon, AZ
Vermilion Cliffs
The Vermilion Cliffs are a dramatic escarpment of red and orange sandstone rising up to 3,000 feet above the surrounding terrain along the Arizona-Utah border. The cliffs are part of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and provide habitat for the reintroduced California condor. The geological formations display millions of years of sedimentary layering in vivid color bands.
Marble Canyon, AZ
Navajo Bridge
Navajo Bridge consists of twin steel arch bridges spanning Marble Canyon at a height of 470 feet above the Colorado River. The original 1929 bridge is now a pedestrian walkway, while the newer 1995 bridge carries vehicle traffic. California condors are frequently seen roosting on the bridge or soaring in the canyon below.
Marble Canyon, AZ
Marble Canyon (Lees Ferry Area)
Lees Ferry is the only road-accessible point along the Colorado River within Glen Canyon for hundreds of miles and serves as the launch point for Grand Canyon river trips. The area features towering red cliffs, the historic Lonely Dell Ranch, and the confluence of the Paria River with the Colorado. The calm water near the ferry crossing provides mirror-like reflections at dawn.