Arizona Night Sky Adventure — From Sedona’s Red Rocks to the Northern Lights Over Monument Valley
Beginning the Journey — Phoenix, Arizona
In May 2024, I set off on a week-long adventure across Arizona to capture its world-class night skies — from the glowing red rocks of Sedona to the sacred mesas of Monument Valley. I never imagined it would end with a once-in-a-lifetime sight: the Northern Lights dancing above the desert.
My journey began at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), where the desert heat hit immediately — and it was only May. After renting a Jeep and checking into my Airbnb, I headed to Papago Park to photograph the crescent moon reflecting over the water and palm trees. It felt like an oasis in the desert — a peaceful start before heading north.
A quiet Phoenix evening at Papago Park as the crescent moon reflects across the lagoon, framed by rows of desert palms. This soft pastel sunset felt like a calm oasis before my Arizona night sky journey began.
Sedona — Red Rocks, Milky Way, and Meaningful Connections
The drive to Sedona was mesmerizing. As the red rocks came into view, Cathedral Rock stood tall — one of Sedona’s famous “vortexes” said to radiate spiritual energy. My Airbnb overlooked the formation with a trail leading right to it, making it the perfect location to capture the Milky Way arching above Cathedral Rock.
While scouting near Crescent Moon Ranch and Secret Slickrock Trailhead, I met Krish, a fellow astrophotographer living courageously with end-stage cancer. He was spending his remaining time visiting the places he had always dreamed of. Later, he introduced me to Alden, a plane-crash survivor turned pastor. Both shared stories that reminded me photography is just as much about human connection as it is about capturing the stars.
That night, I photographed the Milky Way over Cathedral Rock and Sedona — some of my favorite shots from the trip. Sedona’s designation as the world’s first Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International made it even more breathtaking.
The Milky Way glows above Sedona’s Cathedral Rock — one of my favorite astrophotography captures from Arizona’s red rock country. Taken above Crescent Moon Ranch from the Ridge Trail under dark sky conditions. If only there was a long exposure car trail leading up to Cathedral Rock…
A sweeping view of Sedona under the Milky Way — Cathedral Rock glowing faintly beneath a canopy of stars. Captured on a calm spring night, this panorama reveals why Sedona is one of Arizona’s most iconic dark sky destinations.
Monument Valley — Navajo Lands
After a brief stop at the Grand Canyon’s Desert View Watchtower, I continued north through Forrest Gump Point, where the iconic movie scene was filmed. The temperature dropped as the desert opened into Monument Valley’s vast sandstone buttes.
I stayed at The View Hotel, where I joined a night photography and Hunts Mesa overnight tour with Phillips Photography Tours, led by Navajo guides Carl and Carlos. Since Monument Valley sits on sacred Navajo land, local guides are required — and their stories bring incredible depth to the landscape.
During the night tour, we visited Big Hogan Arch, a natural sandstone amphitheater carved into De Chelly rock. My voice echoed inside its massive chamber — eerie but beautiful, especially when Carl mentioned the presence of ancient Navajo spirits. We also got a chance to visit the Totem Pole which is another sacred Navajo site.
Inside the vast chamber of Big Hogan Arch in Monument Valley, I stood beneath the sandstone dome as the Milky Way rose perfectly through its natural opening. This moment, guided by Navajo locals, felt like standing inside the heart of the desert itself.
The Milky Way shines above the Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei formations in Monument Valley, casting soft starlight across the desert floor. Standing beneath these towering spires felt timeless — a moment where ancient land and endless sky met in perfect stillness.
A Navajo Portrait Beneath the Stars
Before heading to Hunts Mesa, I had the opportunity to photograph Angell Styles, a Navajo model I connected with through The View Hotel. I always loved to blend portraiture with night sky photography, and Angell brought that vision to life perfectly.
We shot from an overlook behind the hotel, with the West Mitten Butte glowing faintly in the distance. I didn’t even need a side light — soft illumination from the parking lot provided just enough glow to light the scene naturally.
A Navajo woman gazes toward the night sky in Monument Valley, illuminated softly beneath a canopy of stars. The quiet strength in her expression reflects the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the Navajo people and the land they call home.
The Northern Lights Over the Desert
On the night of May 10th, a strong geomagnetic storm brought something truly surreal — the Aurora Borealis visible from Arizona.
From the summit of Hunts Mesa, I watched in awe as green and magenta pillars of light danced above Monument Valley. Arizona hadn’t seen the Northern Lights in over two decades, making this moment even more special.
Carlos and I sat by the campfire afterward, talking about Navajo legends and the spirits of the land — the perfect ending to a night I’ll never forget.
The Northern Lights cascade above Monument Valley in vibrant shades of violet and green — a once-in-a-lifetime display witnessed from Hunts Mesa. Arizona hadn’t seen an aurora like this in decades, turning the desert night into a surreal dance of color and light.
Sunrise from Hunts Mesa reveals Monument Valley’s vast red-rock formations glowing in soft desert light. From this elevated viewpoint on Navajo Nation land, the mesas and buttes stretch endlessly toward the horizon — a breathtaking reminder of the land’s timeless beauty.
Flagstaff — A Fitting Finale
On my way back to Phoenix, I stopped in Flagstaff, home to Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Flagstaff holds the distinction of being the world’s first Dark Sky Community — a city that values the night sky so much, it even has Dark Sky Brewing Co.
Reflections
That week in Arizona was more than a photography trip — it was a reminder of why I love what I do. From the Milky Way over Sedona to the Northern Lights above Monument Valley, and from meeting Krish and Alden to photographing Angell, every moment told a story of connection, resilience, and wonder.
It truly was a trip for the ages.