Stargazing Spots

10 PLACES TO VIEW NIGHT SKIES

Look up at the night sky and prepare to be starstruck. On clear nights in Colorado, you can marvel at the infinite universe filled with planets, moons and constellations.

Preserving nature for everyone to enjoy is a priority in the Four Corners region, and the view of the night sky is no exception. It’s incredible what you can see with the naked eye when not surrounded by an urban glow. Thanks to work by the International Dark Sky Association to prevent light pollution and protect natural ecosystems, you can see up to 15,000 stars in the sky, compared to just 500 in more urban environments.

The wide open spaces out West are ideal for getting a glimpse at the galaxy. Many of these spots are protected spaces, like national parks and monuments, worthy of exploring during daylight too. For your stargazing session, bring along a map and a star chart. Binoculars also can help enhance the experience.

1 MOLAS PASS Located in the San Juan National Forest just seven miles south of Silverton, Molas Pass is a popular destination for campers, hikers and explorers in off-road vehicles. There is a campground near the lake where visitors can stay the night and enjoy the breathtaking views of the starry sky reflecting off the water. 2 ALTA LAKES Travel through a ghost town in the Uncompahgre National Forest to a series of lakes just six miles south of Telluride. Enjoy hiking, fishing or paddling on non-motorized watercraft like canoes and kayaks. Stay overnight at one of the dispersed campsites available near Lower Alta Lake or schedule a reservation at the privatelyowned Observatory Lodge.

3 MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK By day, dozens of visitors marvel at the ancient architecture known today as Mesa Verde National Park. At night, the 52,000-acre national park is the perfect place to go stargazing because it is also a designated International Dark Sky Park. The park often hosts educational programs led by rangers in the summer season, and visitors can stay the night at Morefield Campground or Far View Lodge.

4 MANCOS STATE PARK Anglers enjoy fishing for yellow perch and rainbow trout at Jackson Gulch Reservoir, while the calm waters call to paddlers in canoes and kayaks. A 5.5 mile trail system in the park connects with a network of trails on Forest Service land. The park is also a great place to catch a glimpse of the constellations overhead surrounded by ponderosa pines. Stay overnight at one of two campsites or reserve a yurt for a cozier camping experience. 5 CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT Visiting Canyons of the Ancients Museum and National Monument, located just six miles from Cortez is an interactive educational experience. Explore the museum’s exhibits and enjoy a guided tour of cliff dwellings, kivas and rock art. After the sun goes down, the stars overhead engulf the remote park. On occasion, special programs for star-viewing will be hosted by park rangers on-site. Dispersed camping is available in the backcountry at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

6 HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT Stretching across 20 miles of mesmerizing mesa tops and canyons, Hovenweep National Monument protects and preserves six historic villages as well as dark skies. Nearby the year-round Hovenweep Campground has 31 campsites for tent and RV camping. Daytime bird watching and hiking are popular activities at this Designated Dark Sky Park in the summer season, alongside ranger-led evening astronomy talks and telescope viewings.

7 CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK Daytime adventures at Chaco include biking and hiking near ancient ruins and guided tours. At night, evening campfire talks and night sky programs highlight the incredible view of the heavens above the Designated International Dark Sky Park. From April through October, staff members host presentations on cultural history and archaeoastronomy. The campground here allows for tents and RVs for overnight guests.

8 GREAT SAND

DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

Towering sand dunes are the centerpiece of this national park and International Dark Sky Park. Seeing thousands of stars twinkling above the alien landscape is unmatched. Beginning Memorial Day, park rangers will lead summer programs to help guests understand astronomy and nocturnal ecology of the region. The visitor center also provides free star charts and mood calendars for self-guided stargazing. Open from April to October, the Pinon Flats Campground features 88 campsites which guests can reserve online.

Stargazing tips:

PLANS: The darkest skies offer the best views. Go stargazing during a new moon, or when the moon is below the horizon. Use NASA’s night sky planner page for more information. LIGHTS: Using a cellphone, flashlight or vehicle lights hinders night vision. Red light does not have the same effect. Use a flashlight with a red-light feature or red bulb. ADJUSTMENTS: It takes our eyes about 20-30 minutes to adjust to darkness, so be patient after dusk. MAPS: Always bring along a map in unfamiliar terrain. A star chart is also helpful to identify constellations.

9 CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT An archaeological site on the Southern edge of the San Juan Mountains covers sevensquare miles preserving around 200 ancient dwellings and ceremonial buildings. In addition to guided tours along interpretive trails, guests can enjoy educational lectures and programs from time to time. Volunteers at Chimney Rock National Monument host special night sky programs to educate guests about astronomy and its cultural significance to ancient people.

10 SLUMGULLION CENTER The Slumgullion Center Dark Sky Park is an undeveloped, 58acre area in the Uncompahgre National Forest perfect for studying the night sky in serenity. The wilderness area near Lake City, Colorado includes a campground where guests can access motorized trails to enjoy activities like off-roading, biking, hiking and fishing. The Lake Fork Valley Conservancy is an organization that is currently crafting programs to share with visitors soon.