
Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park worth booking?
Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park is a 3.5-hour experience in Moab, United States, from $275 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (5)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $275 per person
Learn to photograph the Milky Way in an internationally recognized dark sky park - a bucket list item for any photographer! I have traveled extensively in search of amazing photographic locations, and Arches National Park is magical after dark, with a wide variety of photographic locations to use as foreground subjects for the Milky Way.
What you get
About this experience
Learn to photograph the Milky Way in an internationally recognized dark sky park - a bucket list item for any photographer! I have traveled extensively in search of amazing photographic locations, and Arches National Park is magical after dark, with a wide variety of photographic locations to use as foreground subjects for the Milky Way.
What's included
Included
- instruction on how to capture the Milky Way with your DSLR or mirrorless camera
- Snacks
- Bottled water
Not included
- I do not provide cameras. I may be able to loan you my spare tripod if you don't have one.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Moab
I can pick you up at any hotel or campground in Moab, or meet you at the Moab Information Center or the Arches Visitors Center, if you prefer to drive yourself.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Ends at
I can pick you up at any hotel or campground in Moab, or meet you at the Moab Information Center or the Arches Visitors Center, if you prefer to drive yourself.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Rock Light Photo Tours
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Kindly bring your own device: DSLR or mirrorless camera (capable of shooting at least 3200 ISO)
- A wide angle lens: best results from a wide angle prime or zoom (somewhere in the range of 14mm to 35mm on a full frame, or 10mm-24mm with a crop sensor) that is capable of opening up to at least f/3.5 or lower.
- A sturdy tripod
- A headlamp or flashlight (one with a red setting is best)
- Late model iPhones or other advanced cell phone cameras may be able to capture the Milky Way!
- Not recommended for travelers with poor night vision
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Experience
Colin knows his stuff, from the technical aspects of milky way photography to the best places to go. Even though I've got some experience with milky way photography, I did learn a couple of tricks from Colin, especially his technique for getting good foreground shots. I highly recommend him!
Response from the operator: Thanks, Rick! I hope you got some great shots that night, and hopefully will see you down the road on a workshop or another tour.
via Tripadvisor
The Guide cancelled our trip!!!!
We are traveling to Arches for the first time at the end of the month and one of the highlights of our trip was to be the.night sky photography tour, which we booked with Colin Young through Viator. Two days later, Mr. Young reached out to us and canceled our tour! His reason was he forgot to change his calendar and is going out of town!! We booked all other tours around this one. We are wildly disappointed and find this unprofessional. He gave us the name of someone else we are trying to reach, but he could have at least found us a substitute or found us a tour, since he is taking a trip, and this was his fault. I would not trust him or book with him. We do not live in Utah and this is a long anticipated trip. No excuse for this!
Response from the operator: So sorry about the confusion! I reached out immediately thru Viator after the tour was booked (automatically), to say that I was not available, and to offer alternate dates. You did not respond, so I followed up a couple of days later by text with the same information. I did find another very professional guide for you that is available for the date you wanted, but you decided to leave this poor review nonetheless. I'm a one-person operation, and sometimes I can't always keep the availability calendar 100% up to date.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing
please be aware that we took two tours with this operator and both involved stargazing at night at Arches national Park. The reviews for both are very similar because they were the same activity. I am not trying to pressurize myself, I’m just trying to leave this thing review for this operator for two tours, which are exactly the same. Our two-night photography tour at Arches National Park was truly unforgettable. Colin and Geremy, our guides, were everything you’d want—knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Their expertise in night and astrophotography was clear from the start, and their guidance helped us seriously improve our skills. What really made the experience special was their teaching style. They were endlessly patient, welcoming questions of all kinds, and created a supportive, easygoing atmosphere that made learning fun. On top of that, their knowledge of the park’s geology, history, and natural features added an extra layer of richness to the whole adventure. If you’re looking to dive into night photography in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on Earth, this tour is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Greaq trip and great photos of the Arches Milky Way!
I have never taken a photo tour before and really didn’t know what to expect. The Rock Light Photo Tour in Moabe, Arches was incredible. I really didn’t know my camera, but Colin sent an instruction sheet before the tour so we could set our cameras up before night. It helped to have some of the settings started. Colin and Jeremy knew how to help with my camera, and I got some great shots of the Milky Way. Thanks, Colin, for your help, great trip.
Response from the operator: So glad you had a great experience! Hope to see you again soon in Moab, Estes Park, or on a workshop down the road.
via Tripadvisor
Arches at Night!
Excellent experience! Colin knew the area very well and was able to provide some great suggestions for composition. A very interesting part of the world at night!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Rock Light Photo Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 61.8.
See everything Rock Light Photo Tours runsWhy this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Moab.
How much does Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park cost?
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Prices start at $275 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Moab usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Moab is not rushed.
Is Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Moab, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Moab can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Moab and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Moab within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Moab?
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Moab is the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands: sunrise arch tours, 4x4 runs on Hell's Revenge, Colorado River rafting, canyoneering and dark-sky stargazing. Park entry timing systems change often, so we weight tours that handle reservations for you. On Outty we rank every Moab experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include HIGHLY RATED U-DRIVE Moab Hell’s Revenge UTV Off-Road Adventure, BEST! Hell's Revenge U-Drive 4X4 Tour in Moab +Dinosaur Tracks!, 5-STAR Moab Hell's Revenge UTV U-DRIVE TOUR + DINO TRACKS. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Moab?
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April to May and September to October, avoiding peak summer heat. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Moab?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park?
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Included: instruction on how to capture the Milky Way with your DSLR or mirrorless camera; Snacks; and Bottled water. Not included: I do not provide cameras. I may be able to loan you my spare tripod if you don't have one. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 46 listed pickup locations in and around Moab. Be ready about 20 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Moab. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Milky Way Photography in Arches National Park?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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