Entry No. 78 — the Des Moines file — filed under: after-dark

Iowa Star Party at Whiterock Conservancy

Whiterock Conservancy is a 5,500-acre nonprofit land trust along seven miles of the Middle Raccoon River valley, with some of the darkest skies in Iowa thanks to its distance from city lights and Coon Rapids' dark-sky-compliant lighting ordinance. Each fall the Ames Area Amateur Astronomers and Des Moines Astronomical Society host the multi-night Iowa Star Party here, and there's a free public viewing night where you can wander among dozens of telescopes after a short intro to the sky. On a clear night you can actually see the Milky Way arc overhead, plus galaxies, nebulae, and planets through the assembled scopes.

The move: Make the drive out for the free public night, listen to the short sky orientation, then walk the dark Star Field looking through stranger after stranger's telescope at galaxies and the Milky Way.

📍 Before you go The Iowa Star Party is a once-a-year fall event (2026 dates around early-mid October) with a designated free public viewing night; weather-dependent and multi-day registration applies for the full party. Roughly 80 miles / 1h20m from Des Moines. Bring a red flashlight and warm layers.

• 📍 Coon Rapids, Carroll/Guthrie County
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Whiterock Conservancy Star Field, 1523 140th St, Coon Rapids, IA 50058

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23