Camp Howdy: stargazing retreat at Zion National Park, Sept 30 to Oct 3, 2027.
Join Abdul and Anna for our annual group stargazing retreat. 4 days, 3 nights at a villa inside Zion, with stargazing, wellness sessions, tie-dye and as many s'mores as you can manage.
- 4 days + 3 nights inside Zion National Park
- 10 acres of villa grounds, hikes and dark sky
- Stargazers and astrophotographers, all levels welcome
- Wellness sessions with Anna
A small-group stargazing retreat inside Zion National Park.
Camp Howdy is our annual group stargazing retreat, a 4-day, 3-night small-group trip inside Zion National Park, September 30 to October 3, 2027.
Welcome to Camp Howdy! It is an immersive, educational experience for anyone and everyone. Whether you are looking to photograph the night sky, relax among the beautiful red rocks or eat as many s'mores as possible (there will be an award..), we will have telescopes to gaze through and wellness sessions for you to enjoy.
We stay at a beautiful villa inside Zion, in the Kolob Canyon area, with 10 entire acres to explore, hike and stargaze from, plus fast access to the park and Kolob Canyon. Zion is a designated International Dark Sky Park, so the Milky Way shines right from the property's own dark sky.
Where you will stay, and what you will see.
This is why the gallery matters: Camp Howdy is a place you have to see. All 20 photos, in order, from the villa rooms to the canyon walls and the sky above camp.
Where you will sleep: every camper gets a bed at the villa, right inside the park. Scroll the gallery above to see all of camp.
a table big enough for dinner and games!imagine enjoying morning coffee here. could be you!perfect jacuzzi placementWhere you will gather: big dinners, morning coffee and a hot tub under red-rock cliffs.
Moments from past camps.
A few of the moments from past Camp Howdy retreats, from slot canyons to light-painting under the Milky Way.
Almost everything. Seriously.
Camp Howdy is built so you mostly just show up. Here is what the trip covers.
What is included
- 3 evenings in a private or shared room at a beautiful villa inside the park (literally INNNNN the park)
- Nearly all meals: all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, with drinks included other than alcohol
- Night sky star tour and photo assistance from Abdul, as requested
- Wellness and mindfulness sessions, group yoga led by Anna
- All group activities, from creative to outdoorsy: hikes, off-roading, a t-shirt for tie-dye and more
- Telescopes to gaze through all weekend
- Entry into national parks
Getting there. We can give a few people a ride, first come, first served! Otherwise you will want to rent a car. We arrange a group chat where we coordinate rides :)
What is not included
- Airfare to Utah
- Beverages beyond water (we will have some drinks and snacks on hand as usual)
- Personal expenses: souvenirs, shopping and the like
- A 4x4 rental, which you should definitely consider so we can go off-roading
Small by design, so the nights stay quiet
We keep the group small on purpose. Fewer people means more peace and quiet, and it means everyone gets time at the telescope and hands-on help with their shots. Camp Howdy sits under one of the darkest skies in the country, and in one of its quietest corners too, dark enough for the Milky Way to throw a shadow and quiet enough to hear the desert settle.
- Small group, by design
- Peace and quiet under dark skies
- One of the country's darkest skies
- And one of its quietest places
Wellness and mindfulness, led by Anna
Group yoga and mindfulness sessions lead by Anna, plus a stone labyrinth on the property for walking meditation. It is a slower rhythm that helps everyone settle into camp.
- Group yoga and mindfulness with Anna
- A walking labyrinth on the property
- Spaces for solo reflection
- A pace that leaves room to breathe
The night sky, and every level welcome
Abdul leads a night sky tour and helps with your photos as requested. Stargazers and astrophotographers of all skill levels are welcome here, and if you are a beginner, he will teach you. No camera? No problem. Just come and look up.
- Night sky star tour with Abdul
- Stargazers and astrophotographers, all levels welcome
- If you're a beginner, I'll teach you
- No camera needed, just look up
Weather, terrain and what to pack
Expect days in the 80s and nights in the 60s, the best time of year to visit. At a mile of elevation it can run cooler after dark, so bring layers. Physical activity level is moderate: pack comfy hiking shoes for grip on the Zion sandstone.
- Days in the 80s, nights in the 60s
- Moderate physical level
- Comfy hiking shoes for Zion sandstone
- Layers for cooler nights at a mile up
What campers say about Camp Howdy.
A few words from past Camp Howdy campers.
The Milky Way, first time
"I saw the milky way for the first time in my life! I couldn't believe what I was seeing, truly one of the most profound experiences of my life."
Hosts who think of everything
"Anna and Abdul are such incredible hosts and organizers. The entire trip was thought out with so much detail, and it was incredibly exciting, plus everything we saw was gorgeous... Don't think twice about signing up for a Camp Howdy!"
Come solo, leave with friends
"Whether you're a lone adventurer... Abdul and Anna have got you covered! I've been on almost all of these tours so far and loved every bit of it... being in the middle of nowhere in the dark by yourself is scary but on these adventures we're with a whole group and have so much more fun talking under the night sky."
Getting to Camp Howdy is easy.
Vegas pickup. Flying into Vegas? We can pick you up and drive you to camp. Email us after booking to coordinate, as very limited spots are available.
Las Vegas (LAS) is the closest big airport, about a 2.5 to 3 hour drive to the villa (approximate). St. George (SGU) is closer, about a 1 hour drive (approximate). A rental car gives you the most flexibility, and a 4x4 means you can come off-roading with the group. We arrange a group chat where everyone coordinates rides.
Book your spot at Camp Howdy, September 30 to October 3, 2027.
Choose a private or shared room when you book. Secure checkout is handled by WeTravel, where you will see current pricing and room options.
Shared room
Your place in a shared bunk.
per person
Choose this option →Private room (2 sharing)
For two people traveling together, sharing a private room.
per person
Choose this option →Private room (solo)
Your own private room for the whole trip.
per person
Choose this option →Prices per person. Final pricing and availability are shown in the secure checkout.
Rooms: private or shared, at the villa inside the park. The secure checkout shows current pricing.
After you book, email us about the Vegas pickup if you need a ride to camp.
Prefer to travel on your own dates or with your own group?Plan private
Private Itineraries, Built Around You
We plan and run custom private journeys for couples, families, and private circles. You choose the dates, the pace, and the focus.
- Your own private team: Dedicated air-conditioned transport and licensed local guides.
- No set group dates: Designed entirely around your schedule and season.
- Families welcome: All ages welcome on private departures (group tours are 18+).
- Hosted or independent: Personally hosted by Abdul and Anna, or privately run by our vetted local team.
Frequently asked questions about Camp Howdy.
Last reviewed October 2026Who is Camp Howdy for?
Anyone and everyone. Camp Howdy suits solo travelers, couples, friends and families who want a relaxed small group under dark skies. There is no experience needed with astronomy or photography. Whether you want to photograph the night sky, relax among red rocks or eat s'mores, there is a place for you at camp.
How do I get to Camp Howdy?
The closest big airport is Las Vegas (LAS), about a 2.5 to 3 hour drive (approximate). St. George (SGU) is closer, about a 1 hour drive (approximate). We can pick up a few people from Las Vegas and drive them to camp, first come first served. Email us after booking to coordinate.
Do I need a car?
Not necessarily. We can give a few people a ride, first come first served, and we set up a group chat where everyone coordinates rides. Otherwise you will want to rent a car, and a 4x4 is worth considering so we can go off-roading together.
Can I join solo?
Yes, plenty of campers do. The trip is planned for you, so you mostly just get yourself to the rendezvous. Past campers came alone and ended up stargazing and talking with the whole group under the night sky, and several have come back for more.
What is included in the price?
The trip includes 3 evenings in a private or shared room at a villa inside Zion National Park, nearly all meals with all breakfasts and 3 lunches and 3 dinners, drinks other than alcohol, Abdul's night sky tour and photo assistance, wellness sessions with Anna, group activities like hikes, off-roading and tie-dye, telescopes, and national park entry.
What is not included?
Airfare to Utah, beverages beyond water, personal expenses like souvenirs and shopping, and a 4x4 rental are not included. We keep some drinks and snacks on hand as usual, and a 4x4 is worth considering so we can go off-roading together.
Is Camp Howdy good for beginners or photographers?
Both, and everyone in between. Stargazers and astrophotographers of all skill levels are welcome. You do not need to know anything about the night sky or cameras, and if you are a beginner, Abdul will teach you. No camera at all? Just come and look up.
What about weather and cloudy nights?
Expect days in the 80s and nights in the 60s at a mile of elevation, so layers help after dark. The dates sit right after the new moon for the darkest skies of the year. We cannot control the clouds, but fall is the best time of year to visit Zion.
Is Camp Howdy accessible?
We want to help you figure out if camp fits you. The villa and grounds sit at about a mile of elevation with varied terrain, so reach out before booking, tell us what you need, and we will talk through the site and the pace together.
Can a group book the villa privately?
Yes. Groups can book this villa privately, or we can plan a custom stargazing retreat around your group at a dark-sky site. See our private groups page to start planning.
More ways to see the dark sky.
Camp Howdy is our annual group stargazing retreat. Groups can also book this villa privately, and there are more Starlight Voyages ways to chase the stars.
September 30 to October 3, 2027. Under dark skies.
Four days, three nights, a villa inside Zion and the Milky Way overhead. Come for the stargazing, stay for the s'mores.
Let's go Stargazing! 🔭