The Best National Parks for Viewing the Upcoming Corn Moon

September 7 marks the Corn Moon, a full moon named for its proximity to harvesting corn and grains. (It also happens to be a blood moon, or a total lunar eclipse.) For Pagans like me, the Corn Moon will usher in Mabon, our holiday for giving thanks. Pagans view September as a time to prepare for the dark half of the year. It’s when we consider what we will bring into winter, and what we will leave behind.

During the Corn Moon, as part of my practice, I’ll lace up my boots and hike the starlight woods near my home in Eastern Washington, where the moon will be on full display.

There’s something magical about trekking the trails by moonlight, spiritual preference aside. Here’s how to go about it for this Corn Moon, and for many moons to come.

The Best National Parks for Viewing a Full Moon

While you can hike under the stars on your backyard trails, some national parks offer special outings and events to celebrate the moon—and some have natural features that really pop after the sun sets.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

On September 7, and on each full moon until winter, visitors can join a ranger-led moonlit hike in Bryce Canyon National Park. Distances range from one to two miles, during which a park ranger will educate hikers about the lunar phase and unique viewing opportunities around the park. Bryce’s website suggests packing water and a jacket, wearing shoes with good tread, and bringing a headlamp or flashlight. White lights are not permitted during the hike, but red lights are. Tickets are available here.

Pro tip: Grab a bite at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill, a bar and steakhouse right outside the park entrance, after your hike. And on many evenings this fall, catch some live music there, too.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park offers ranger-led full moon hikes March through November. Tickets can be purchased up to a month in advance through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

The hike goes 2.3 miles into Dune Life Nature Trail, a moderate trek with a few climbs up steep dunes and through sand. Hikers are asked to bring two liters of water and can carry a flashlight or headlamp, though they will not be permitted to use without ranger say.

Pro tip: If you’re traveling in to southern New Mexico, stop by Fillmore Falls, an oasis in the desert 47 miles southwest of the entrance to White Sands.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park is known for its dark skies that show off the Milky Way. And because it’s furthest East, it takes the lead in the contiguous United States in experiencing the moon in all its glory.

From May to October, Ocean Path is a great place from which to view the full moon. Get there from the upper parking lot of Sand Beach to Thunder Hole. Thunder Hole takes you to Otter Point to the cliffs, where the stars will encapsulate you. But if you want to feel like you’re touching the moon, Cadillac Mountain offers the most dramatic experience, as it is the highest point on the North American Eastern Seaboard.

Pro tip: Bike through the carriage roads if you’re at the park for the day, and keep in mind that Jordan Pond Restaurant is famous for its popover pastries, coffee, and tea—great for warming.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Between the Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Voyageurs National Park, northeastern Minnesota is a dream for kayakers and those who canoe. All three protected lands share a border with Canada and boast pristine lakes and waterways the rest of the country cannot compete with. It can feel like you’re paddling towards the end of the earth. And for water lovers who couple as moon lovers, Voyageurs is a gem of a spot for lunar magic. You need a permit for backcountry canoeing, but once reserved, you’ll have 24 hours to explore.

Pro tip: Kettle Falls Hotel, on the Minnesota/Canadian border, is a charming spot to stay the night during colder months. But plan far in advance, as it books up quickly.

Arches National Park, Utah

What better place to observe the Corn Moon than through one of the thousands of natural arches in Arches National Park? For me, viewing a full moon through the famed Delicate Arch is a bucket-list experience.

Other unreal places to experience moon magic at Arches include the Balanced Rock Picnic Area, the Windows Section, or at Panorama Point. Arches is known for its “windows to the Universe,” and has listed every upcoming opportunity to catch the moon.

Pro tip: Grab food, lodging, and drinks five miles south of the park in Moab. The Moab Food Truck Park, featuring everything from tacos to sushi, is a must stop.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The historic headquarters of the park, Longmire, is open year-round and is close to a nearly mile-long hike called the Trail of Shadows that is recognized as one of its top spots for moon watching. The trail doesn’t have much of an ascent, but it runs along a meadow with a killer view of Mount Rainier.

A couple of other great trails for full moon hiking near Mount Rainier are Nisqually Vista at Paradise and Skyline to Myrtle Falls at Paradise. Rangers warn to hike in groups if venturing out at night though, as bears are active after sunset in the area. Headlamps are a must for keeping the path in front of you lit—red light, of course. And the National Park Service promotes a list of ten essentials for hikers. For night hikers specifically, navigation, insulation, and illumination are king.

Pro tip: Grab dinner at Packwood Brewing Co. before heading out, or pop in for a Treeline IPA after.

Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico

Although not technically a national park, Chaco Culture, a certified International Dark Sky Park, stands out as one of the best NPS-managed sites for stargazing and moon watching. It has an entire program dedicated to experiencing the park at night: the Chaco Night Sky Program. The Chacoan people were know as “observers of the sky.” The park honors them with events like its star party mid-September, during the Astronomy Festival around Autumn Equinox.

As for full moon hikes? Trails like Pueblo Alto and Pueblo Bonito are open until Halloween for night exploration of the ruins. As with the others, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring water and a headlamp with red light.

Pro tip: Arrive by day and tag on a guided tour of the cultural sites to explore the ruins.

Tips for Hiking Under a Full Moon

Many folks itching to get on to the trail under the moon are compelled for reasons that go beyond recreation. Pagans, or simply those whose spirituality is all about being in tune with nature, often weave ritual into their time in the woods.

But no matter where your spirituality rests, there are simple tips to follow when wandering along a moonlit trail.

1. Choose a Familiar Path

Hiking at night can be dangerous no matter how much safety gear you have. Choose a short, easy ascent, one you could walk in your sleep.

2. Bring Along a Good Headlamp

A flashlight won’t always cut it. Make sure you have a reliable head lamp before venturing out into the woods at night. It doesn’t matter how bright the moon glows; depending on clouds and tree cover, it may not be enough to keep the path in front of you safe.

3. Make Sure You’ve Downloaded Your Map

Outside recommends Gaia GPS as a top navigation app for off-grid hiking. Downloading maps for offline use is a must, especially when hiking solo. (Gaia shares Outside’s parent company, Outside Inc.)

4. Set an Intention

If, like me, you want to tap into the more spiritual side of moon hiking, there’s a simple way to do it. Before taking your first steps, place your hand over your heart and set an intention. As you’re walking, imagine that you’re drawing in lunar light. Release whatever it is you need to into the night.

If you go on a full moon hike with a group, affirmation circles are another option. Each person can share a word or intention they wish to carry forward.

Fall Full Moon Dates

Can’t make it out for the Corn Moon? Don’t worry. There are other upcoming full moons that won’t disappoint. Fall’s moons are supermoons, which occur when a full moon coincides with the moon being at its closest point to Earth. This is what makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than usual.

• October 6: Hunter’s Moon

• November 5: Beaver Moon

• December 4: Cold Moon