BOOK A PRIVATE TELESCOPE TOUR - It's like booking an entire restaurant for 1 table!
private TELESCOPE TOURs
Book an exclusive 2-3 hour Telescope Tour at 2 different price levels depending on the size of your group (see pricing below). The ideal format for these private tours is to follow the same nightly format as our public tours. The big difference is that when you book a Private Telescope Tour, you and your colleagues, family, or friends can determine what kind of astronomy experiences your 2-3 hour long private tour consists of.
While booking your private tour (after entering your credit card information), you will be presented with a questionnaire where you can request specifics like those in the list above to customize your private tour.
No, you don't have to stay the full 2-3 hours. This is not a hostage situation. If you want to spend even less time having the astronomy night of your life, that's fine with us. We don't even charge extra for shorter private tours.
- Instead of the regular Telescope Tour, get 2-3 hrs of hands-on training about how to operate different kinds of telescopes and individual consultation on your next telescope purchase.
- Bring YOUR telescope and be taught how to use it better.
- Bring your DSLR / mirrorless and get an introductory lesson in astrophotography (Small Private Tour only)
- You could skip the multimedia show (though many say that's the best part) to maximize time with our telescopes. Bring a list of astronomical objects you'd like to see and we'll help you find them with our scopes.
- Request a longer Laser Constellation Tour.
- Learn how to use the best astronomy apps, and where to purchase a green laser, so you can impress friends and family with your own laser constellation tours and chase satellites through the night sky.
While booking your private tour (after entering your credit card information), you will be presented with a questionnaire where you can request specifics like those in the list above to customize your private tour.
No, you don't have to stay the full 2-3 hours. This is not a hostage situation. If you want to spend even less time having the astronomy night of your life, that's fine with us. We don't even charge extra for shorter private tours.
Small Private Telescope Tours
Any night not already booked or blacked-out.
(Group Sizes 1-9) but with 4-ticket minimum*
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Book this type of private tour for:
- Family Groups who wish to go at their own speed - Couple(s) seeking a romantic experience - Astrophotographers seeking an introductory course in night sky imaging (see add-ons below) - Those considering buying a telescope or wanting help using one they already own (see add-on below) - Flexible start times, you decide as prompted by questionnaire after booking! - indoor multimedia show break between 2 sessions at the telescopes. Location: Dark Ranger Observatory's
'Dark Sky Site' Not far from our main public facility, we have hidden 2 Private Observatories where the sky is even darker. Look for a text message the afternoon of your scheduled private telescope tour with the additional driving directions NECESSARY for finding the secret location. *Share Your Small Private Tour & Save $
Would you consider sharing your Small Private Telescope Tour in exchange for a $100 rebate? Some people don't plan their entire vacation around visiting us. Can you imagine?! And when they discover we offer private tours they try to buy their way on to one. The questionnaire will ask you about your willingness to share your tour, if such an request is made. Any answer is fine, including "maybe?" That way you can decide after you find out more about who wants to join you.
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Ticket Prices (4-ticket min)*
NOTE: Pricing includes Utah sales tax (7.35%), 3% + $1.90 booking fee, and 3% credit card transaction fee.
No green book now button? Try a different device?
* Actual group size is <4? Just book tickets for your imaginary friend(s). They won't get in the way. :-)
Unlike public tours we won't buy back private tour imaginary friends tickets if somebody else books, because nobody else can book a private tour after you have already claimed that night. If you alert us via questionnaire, or otherwise that you are more than just willing share, but actually eager to have strangers "crash" your private tour, we can invite already booked public tour attendees, on the same night, to upgrade to your private tour. In that rare case you would get the $100 rebate. Otherwise private means private. Improve your chances of avoiding a cloudy night by booking an Backup Night for $2/Ticket
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Small Private Telescope Tour Add-ons
Small Private Telescope Tours offer the widest variety of Add-ons (also see astrophotography related ones below). Look for these extras which you can include when finalizing your booking. Or contact us if you decide to add them at a later date.
TELESCOPE TEST DRIVE
Looking to buy a telescope? Try our examples of the 3 main types of telescopes to help decide which would be right for you. Also select this add-on if you already have a telescope but you'd like help learning how to use it better (email make & model BEFORE you arrive.) |
Zero-gravity loungers
are FREE for all people attending Small Private Telescope Tours (even the imaginary ones). |
Astrophotography Add-ons (Small Private Tours Only)
Here's an example of wide-angle (aka Milky Way) photography. This would be done with your wide-angle lens on your tripod.
Below are "thru the scope" images where our telescope(s) become your lens. You must bring a $15 Celestron "t-ring" specific to your brand of camera. Email us if you need help finding one.
These up to 3-hr long workshops (assuming you really want to spend the entire time doing astrophotography) have to be first booked above as a Small Private Telescope Tour. THEN while making that booking, you can add various astrophotography add-ons described below.
PORTRAITS UNDER STARS
Your Dark Ranger takes, edits, and emails (allow 1-2 weeks for delivery) portraits, of you and yours under our starry sky. We provide the camera. $30 add-on (Very Easy) 
Jupiter & Saturn ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
Only these 2 planets are photogenic enough to create satisfying images. Do your homework and find out if they are in the night sky during your booking. We provide the MallinCam planetary camera. $50 add-on (Very Difficult) |
A wise man once said "Astrophotography is a good way to lose your job, get a no-fault divorce, and withdrawal from society as a whole." However, with the advent of DSLRs / mirror-less and state-of-the-art image enhancing software, photographing the night sky is not nearly the anti-social, soul-crushing, time-suck of hobby it once was.
Most Dark Rangers still keep a safe distance from the event horizon of astrophotography. Yet, some of us are already in so deep, we are always happy for some companionship inside the abyss. We can assign 1 such Dark Ranger who will eagerly teach you the basics of ALL the different kinds of astrophotography as additional add-ons to your Small Private Telescope Tour. We KNOW that some photographers are lucky enough to be allowed to travel with normal humans. And so, out of admiration for those "normals", your Astrophotography Dark Ranger will simultaneously entertain the normal(s) with an entirely different telescope, while you ignore your companions, due to the greater love (or at least "focus") you may have for your camera. 
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY (Deep Space)
Deep space imagery is done by attaching YOUR 12800+ ISO DSLR/mirrorless camera to our telescope as if it were a lens. Learn & practice your manual settings! $40 add-on (Difficult) 
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The night I want is already full! Is their a waiting list?
Pssst! Here's our little secret: We actually have TWO private observatories. So, YES! We do keep a waiting list for Small Private Telescope Tours.
Follow these steps for getting on the Small Private Tour waiting list, and we will try to get you into our secret 2nd Private Observatory.
1. Return to booking system (pages with white background instead of grey) by clicking the "book now" button above.
2. Click on the "full/not offered" night you want.
3. Confirm the start time (a little bubble that pops up under the calendar)
4. Enter your contact info.
5. Hope for good luck without wishing misfortune on others who might actually cancel.
Note: If you later realize you no longer want to be on the waitlist please contact us ASAP by sending an email or text message.
Did you notice we call this a "waiting list" and not a "trying to decide if this is something we REALLY, wanna' actually do... er something...? List" (it's funnier if you re-read that with your best So Cal, Kardashian, baby-talk voice). If you are not sure what the difference implies you might be part of problem that explains why so few businesses, including restaurants, keep a waiting list anymore. The newer technology is more conducive to the win-win goals of a waitlist, but sadly the newer humans seem less so.
Follow these steps for getting on the Small Private Tour waiting list, and we will try to get you into our secret 2nd Private Observatory.
1. Return to booking system (pages with white background instead of grey) by clicking the "book now" button above.
2. Click on the "full/not offered" night you want.
3. Confirm the start time (a little bubble that pops up under the calendar)
4. Enter your contact info.
5. Hope for good luck without wishing misfortune on others who might actually cancel.
Note: If you later realize you no longer want to be on the waitlist please contact us ASAP by sending an email or text message.
Did you notice we call this a "waiting list" and not a "trying to decide if this is something we REALLY, wanna' actually do... er something...? List" (it's funnier if you re-read that with your best So Cal, Kardashian, baby-talk voice). If you are not sure what the difference implies you might be part of problem that explains why so few businesses, including restaurants, keep a waiting list anymore. The newer technology is more conducive to the win-win goals of a waitlist, but sadly the newer humans seem less so.
Large Private Telescope Tours
Any night, not already booked
(Group sizes 10 - 42+)
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Book this type of private tour for:
- Company retreats - Tour companies - Family reunions - Wedding receptions (Yes, we can come to you!) - Science-supporting, government & non-profits - Educational / scouts Location: Dark Ranger Observatory
(adjacent, but NOT inside Bryce Canyon Natl. Park). Start Time: You decide as prompted by questionnaire after booking! Ticket Prices (10-ticket min*)
NOTE: Pricing includes Utah sales tax (7.35%), 3% + $1.90 booking fee, and 3% credit card transaction fee.
Very large groups >84 can get up to a 21% discount
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With 42-ish days advanced notice (call or email) we can handle groups up to 84 people by adding extra Dark Rangers and telescopes. A Bigger group than that? Split them across 2 nights? Or we can do 2 shorter 20-minute versions of the presentation so that you can split your group in half with 50% are watching the show while the other 50% are at the telescopes. Then switch.
No green book now button? Try a different device?
NOTE: Backup night bookings are NOT Available for Large Private Telescope Tours. Due to the logistical costs of accommodating large private tours, we only offer cloudy night refund or price-locked store credit.
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Science/Conservation Government & Non-profits
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Most of the Dark Rangers are space scientist / engineers, and all of us conservationists. So, if you can help us verify that your government agency or institution supports resource conservation, climate crisis mitigation, or space science research and development, any official gathering of such an organization would be eligible for 42% discount when booking a Large Private Telescope Tour.
We extend the same offer to 501(c)(3) where such activities categorized above are central to that non-profit's mission. Evidence for eligibility for the same 42% discount might include 1 or more of the following: - Published Mission Statement - Part III, Schedule 1 of IRS form 990, - Journalism about recent related actions or investments Imagine, a company retreat under the stars to invigorate resolve and inspire innovation? It's our way of saying thanks do what we think is important and an opportunity to rub elbows in solidarity. 1-2 Organizers and/or drivers = FREE
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Yep! The Dark Rangers are "planet-huggers!" AND you would be too, if you spent as much time using telescopes to confirm there's no place like home. :-)
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Accredited School Large PRIVATE TELESCOPE TOUR
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Where do talented Dark Rangers come from? Some of us are educators and ALL of us can thank at least one talented teacher who positively shaped our lives. So we are eager to not only give back but to also pay it forward in hopes we can help inspire the next generation of astronomers, astronauts, scientists in general... or even Dark Rangers.
Pricing is as above for Large Group Private Tour but ask about a coupon code to get a 42% discount for pubic schools or 21% discount for private schools!
Teachers/Chaperones/Drivers = FREE We know all too well that education is often an afterthought when it comes to public funding, so our prices, as low as they are, may STILL be negotiable! All that we ask is that you give us plenty of time (30 days advanced notice) so that we can plan and negotiate astro-memories of a lifetime for you and your students.
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Shelby, using Marvin, shows students a partial solar eclipse as part of a daytime-only discount tour.
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Scouts, Volunteer Organizations, and Religious Groups
Service Project DiscountFor other 501(c)(3) organizations whose mission may not closely align with that of Dark Ranger Telescope Tours (DRTT) or verification might be onerous (e.g., religious organizations or group chapters of larger organizations who don't voluntarily file from 990s), we have another discount. In exchange for a 90-minute service for DRTT we will happily offer a 33% discount on a Large Private Telescope Tour booking. If said people interested in doing a service project for us are ALSO students attending an accredited private school we could even partially combine discounts up 42%.
Service projects vary with the season but might include: - fence construction or repair - painting / staining - raking and leveling gravel - pruning brush - etc. We'll provide the supplies and the tools if your group can equip everybody with work clothes and ESPECIALLY work gloves. By helping us with our more labor intensive chores, you free up more time for us to do our research, education, and advocacy work. Email us at [email protected] and let's see if we can work out a deal. |
Scouts! We'll help you earn your Space Exploration (Model Rockets) Merit Badge!
And / or your Astronomy Merit Badge!
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Private Tour Cancellation Policy
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Because financial institutions are allowed to do volume-based pricing, they put small businesses at a disadvantage. Credit Card companies charge us 3% and our booking service another 3%. Then to cover their expenses, the booking service charges us another $1.90 per booking. This means we only get ~92% of the money you see on your bank statement.
If booking cancellation request is made (text or email is preferred) more than 14 days in advance, 92% is refunded. Obviously, we can't refund more money than we receive, so a 92% refund is where we barely break even. If notification of cancellation is sent between 14 and 4 days prior to start time, 50% is refund. With that short of notice we are lucky if we can rebook 50% of cancelled Private Telescope Tours. Rescheduling in an option, but there can be no refunds after the 14 to 4-day, 50%-refund window closes, except due to cloudy or dangerous weather. We need to be able to put our Private Observatory (Small Private Tours), and especially our Public Observatory (Large Private Tours) back into booking availability status as soon as possible. Value-locked, Store Credit is ALWAYS an option too. |
