Local Company Dark Sky Utah Launches Women-Only Milky Way Photography Retreat in Goblin Valley

Utah-based night photographer and Dark Sky Utah founder Carly Stocks is pleased to announce the launch of Nocturna, a unique women-only Milky Way photography retreat taking place June 11–14, 2026, under the famously dark skies of Goblin Valley, Utah.

Nocturna is a delux, small-group retreat including food, lodging and Milky Way photography instruction limited to just eight female participants. The experience combines Milky Way photography instruction with connection, collaboration, and shared exploration of southern Utah’s unique desert landscapes, while also highlighting the importance of dark-sky preservation and responsible outdoor tourism.

Goblin Valley State Park sits within one of the darkest regions in the United States, making it an ideal location for night photography and stargazing. As interest in astro-tourism continues to grow, retreats like Nocturna help draw visitors to rural communities while encouraging respectful use of public lands through education by a native Utahn.

“Southern Utah has some of the most incredible dark skies in the world, and they’re worth protecting,” said Stocks. “Nocturna is about more than photography. It’s about helping people experience these places in a way that builds appreciation for the landscape, the night sky, and the communities that surround them.”

Unlike fast-paced astrophotography workshops that move quickly from location to location, Nocturna was intentionally designed to slow the experience down. Participants will spend multiple nights photographing the Milky Way in and around Goblin Valley, with daytime hours reserved for editing sessions, rest, and relaxed group excursions.

Those daytime excursions are designed as shared experiences rather than guided tours, giving participants time to explore the region, connect with one another, and experience the broader landscape that makes southern Utah a destination for outdoor recreation and photography.

Stocks is the creator of Milky Way in Motion, an online course that teaches photographers how to plan, shoot, and edit Milky Way images and time-lapses. Retreat participants receive access to the course as part of their preparation, allowing them to arrive ready to create while minimizing unnecessary time spent in sensitive areas after dark.

“All of our planning is intentional,” Stocks added. “From group size to locations to how we move through the landscape, the goal is to enjoy these places while leaving them exactly as we found them.”

By keeping the retreat small and all-inclusive, Nocturna aims to provide a meaningful experience that supports sustainable tourism and showcases Utah’s leadership in dark-sky preservation.