The Star Train Will Take Your Family Deep Into the International Dark Sky Park to Stargaze
In search of stars? Us too.
If you've been searching for the best stargazing spots, we're pretty sure we have hit the jackpot! We're talking bucket-list-worthy location and views.
Add the Nevada Star Gazing Train to your list of must-do's with your family (or a quick weekend away with your favorite grown-ups).
Nevada Northern Railway's Star Train pulls out of Ely on selected Summer evenings with the Dark Rangers of Great Basin National Park aboard. These rangers love the night sky as much as we all do, but they probably know a whole lot more about stars than all of us put together. They will guide us on our journey to find interesting things up in the Heavens on this journey. We will stop the train away from town to take full advantage of the dark night skies. The National Park Service Rangers will be taking us on our own special tour of the celestial constilations.
- Nevada Northern Railway
Where is the Star Train in Nevada?
Ely, Nevada. In case you are wondering where Ely, Nevada is . . . we were too.
Ely is roughly 244 miles away (3 hours 42-minutes drive) from the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Flying to Ely, Nevada? You'll want to head to the Elko Regional Airport.
Photo by Madhu Shesharam on Unsplash
When is the Star Train?
"Select Friday evenings in the summer." - NNRY.com
Be sure to check their website for more info on dates, times, and options.
Nevada Star Train Tickets
Prices: Adult: $41 Child (4-12): $20 Infant (not yet 4): Free
The Star Train ($41 per adult) sells out up to a year in advance.
Group discounts are available for groups over 12. Members receive 10-90% discounts on train tickets depending on your membership level. Memberships start at $40. Call (775) 289-2085 for more info.
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BONUS: You might even catch a glimpse of the famous "Dirt the Cat" at the train station at no extra charge!
Sold Out?
Here are some options listed on NNRY.com:
- Come to Ely and use that as your base-camp. There is plenty of lodging in town
- Enjoy riding one of our other trains, either the regular excursion trains, or the special/theme trains
- Drive out to Great Basin to attend one of their other evening Star Programs. It is only an hour's drive. Ely is the closest city to Great Basin.
Star Train in Great Basin
What is an International Dark Sky Park?
According to DarkSky.org:
An IDA International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) is a land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment. The land may be publicly owned, or privately owned provided that the landowner(s) consent to the right of permanent, ongoing public access to specific areas included in the IDA designation.About International Dark Sky Reserves.
Great Basin National Park
Where are the International Dark Sky Reserves and Sanctuaries?
I can find over 10 locations within driving distance of where I live! How about you?
- Albanyà (Spain)
- Antelope Island State Park (U.S.)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (U.S.)
- Arches National Park (U.S.)
- Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness (Ireland)
- Big Bend National Park (U.S.)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park (U.S.)
- Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S.)
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (U.S.)
- Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape (England)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S.)
- Buffalo National River (U.S.)
- Bükk National Park (Hungary)
- Canyonlands National Park (U.S.)
- Capitol Reef National Park (U.S.)
- Capulin Volcano National Monument (U.S.)
- Cedar Breaks National Monument (U.S.)
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park (U.S.)
- Cherry Springs State Park (U.S.)
- Clayton Lake State Park (U.S.)
- Copper Breaks State Park (U.S.)
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument (U.S.)
- De Boschplaat (Netherlands)
- Dead Horse Point State Park (U.S.)
- Death Valley National Park (U.S.)
- Dinosaur National Monument (U.S.)
- Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park (U.S.)
- Eifel National Park (Germany)
- El Morro National Monument (U.S.)
- Elan Valley Estate (Wales)
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (U.S.)
- Flagstaff Area National Monuments (U.S.)
- Fort Union National Monument (U.S.)
- Galloway Forest Park (Scotland)
- Geauga Observatory Park (U.S.)
- Goblin Valley State Park (U.S.)
- Grand Canyon National Park (U.S.)
- Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (U.S.)
- Great Basin National Park (U.S.)
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (U.S.)
- Headlands (U.S.)
- Hehuan Mountain (Taiwan, R.O.C.)
- Hortobágy National Park (Hungary)
- Hovenweep National Monument (U.S.)
- Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park (Japan)
- James River State Park (U.S.)
- Joshua Tree National Park (U.S.)
- Kartchner Caverns State Park (U.S.)
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (U.S.)
- Lauwersmeer National Park (Netherlands)
- Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory (U.S.)
- Middle Fork River Forest Preserve (U.S.)
- Møn and Nyord (Denmark)
- Natural Bridges National Monument (U.S.)
- Newport State Park (U.S.)
- Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park (England)
- Obed Wild and Scenic River (U.S.)
- Oracle State Park (U.S.)
- Petrified Forest National Park (U.S.)
- Petrova gora-Biljeg (Croatia)
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area (U.S.)
- Ramon Crater (Israel)
- Rappahannock County Park (U.S.)
- Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (U.S.)
- South Llano River State Park (U.S.)
- Staunton River State Park (U.S.)
- Steinaker State Park (U.S.)
- Stephen C. Foster State Park (U.S.)
- Tomintoul and Glenlivet - Cairngorms (Scotland)
- Tonto National Monument (U.S.)
- Tumacácori National Historical Park (U.S.)
- UBarU Camp and Retreat Center (U.S.)
- Vrani kamen (Croatia)
- Wai-Iti (New Zealand)
- Warrumbungle National Park (Australia)
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (Canada/U.S.)
- Weber County North Fork Park (U.S.)
- Winklmoosalm (Germany)
- Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park (South Korea)
- Zselic National Landscape Protection Area (Hungary)
International Dark Sky Week
What is International Dark Sky Week?
From DarkSky.org:
Created in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow, International Dark Sky Week has grown to become a worldwide event and a key component of Global Astronomy Month. Each year it is held in April, from Sunday to Sunday, the week of the new moon – when skies are darkest.
You can find more detail HERE and be sure to follow the International Dark Sky Association on Instagram.
Happy stargazing!
