Dave takes care of everything, and tailors to the members of the group's needs. He's great at helping both advanced photographers and newbies get the most out of the experience. I cannot recommend him enough.
Christi C.
Canyon Light and the Milky Way
Seven days of red rock canyons, slot-canyon light, and some of the darkest skies left in the country — exploring Capitol Reef National Park and the San Rafael Swell by day, and photographing the Milky Way by night. Small group, expert guidance, unforgettable terrain.
Dates
2027: 3 - 9 June
2027 Rate - $4700/person, double occupancy ($500 single supplement)
Secure your spot by paying the $500 deposit below:
Trip Overview
Trip Overview
Our Utah night sky and landscape photography workshop begins in Grand Junction, Colorado, where we'll meet mid-morning before transferring as a group to Green River, Utah, our base for the first two nights. Along the way, we'll make stops at the Book Cliffs and Colorado National Monument near Fruita — a strong introduction to the red rock country ahead. That first evening, we'll head into the desert outside Green River for our first Milky Way shoot of the trip.
The following two days are spent exploring Goblin Valley State Park and the wild, little-visited slot canyons that cut through the southern edge of the San Rafael Swell — otherworldly terrain, and a landscape photographer's dream.
From there, we make the drive to Torrey, our base for exploring Capitol Reef National Park. We'll take our time getting there, stopping for a picnic lunch and many photographs of the sprawling cliffs and canyons of the San Rafael Swell along the way. With time to settle in before dinner, we'll head out that evening for another shot at the Milky Way.
We'll spend two full days exploring Capitol Reef and, conditions allowing, the remote Cathedral Valley — with more night sky photography in this dark-sky designated landscape after dark each evening.
On our final morning, we retrace our route back to Grand Junction, keeping an eye out for anything we missed along the way, with plenty of time to catch evening flights home.
Itinerary
Trip Begins in Grand Junction, Colorado
We'll meet around mid-morning in Grand Junction, Colorado, home to a good-sized regional airport. From there, we'll transfer as a group to Green River, Utah, our base for the first two nights — making stops along the way at the Book Cliffs and Colorado National Monument near Fruita. That evening, our first Milky Way shoot in the desert outside Green River.
Goblin Valley State Park & San Rafael Swell Slot Canyons
About an hour south of Green River lies Goblin Valley State Park and the immense wild country of the San Rafael Swell, where we'll spend two full days exploring the otherworldly hoodoos and slot canyons that cut through this remote landscape.
Transfer to Capitol Reef
It's only about a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Torrey, our base for exploring Capitol Reef, but we'll spend most of the day at it — enjoying a picnic lunch along the way and stopping for many photographs of the sprawling red cliffs and canyons of the San Rafael Swell. We'll arrive in Torrey with plenty of time to check in and rest before dinner and another shot at the Milky Way.
Full Days at Capitol Reef National Park
We'll have full days to explore Capitol Reef National Park and, road conditions allowing, the remote Cathedral Valley — with more night sky photography in this dark-sky designated landscape after dark each evening.
Transfer to Grand Junction — End of Trip
We'll depart in the morning for the drive back to Grand Junction, but the trip isn't over — with many opportunities for photography along the way as we retrace our steps. We'll have lunch along the way and arrive back in Grand Junction in the mid-afternoon, in time to catch evening flights home or stay on for independent exploration in the desert.
- All lodging after trip begins in Grand Junction
- All meals
- Local transportation
- Local explorations
- Guide services
- Photography instruction
- Small group size
- Flights from your home to Grand Junction, Colorado
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips
2027 — $4,700/person, double occupancy ($500 single supplement)
Secure your spot by paying the $500 deposit below:
Have a question about this trip? Use the form below and I'll get back to you shortly.
Do I need night photography experience for this trip?
No experience needed — this trip is built to teach Milky Way and night sky photography from the ground up. We'll cover camera settings, focusing in the dark, composition, and post-processing as part of the workshop, whether you've never shot a star before or are looking to refine technique you already have.
What's the weather like in early June?
Expect both extremes in the same day. Desert days can run hot, often into the 90s, while nights — especially out shooting the Milky Way away from any heat-retaining structures — can drop into the 40s or even cooler. Layers are essential: lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime exploring, and warm layers for the long nights under the stars.
How late will we be out shooting at night?
Milky Way photography means late nights by nature — we'll often be out well past midnight chasing the best position and darkest skies. Expect some genuinely late nights, with time to rest before the next day's exploring.
What gear do I need for this trip?
A camera capable of manual exposure control and a fast wide-angle lens (f/2.8 or faster) are essential for night sky photography, along with a sturdy tripod — handheld astrophotography doesn't work. A mid-range zoom is useful for the daytime canyon and rock formation photography. I'll send a complete packing list when you book.
What's the fitness level for this trip?
You'll need good balance and be able to walk a couple of miles over sandy and rocky ground with some elevation gain and loss.
Is this a new trip? Do you have reviews from past Canyon Light groups?
This is a brand-new destination for 2027, so there's no trip-specific track record yet. What I can tell you is that this is the same small-group, hands-on approach I've brought to every workshop I've led for the past 20 years — now applied to a place I'm genuinely excited to share.