Colorado Stargazing
Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night connects several Colorado locations known for their night skies and incredible stargazing opportunities. It also highlights night-sky events and encourages the conservation and preservation of all of Colorado’s natural and cultural resources.
Among the locations below, visitors will find International Dark-Sky Association Designated Communities, areas just starting the designation process and everything in between. Regardless, all of these communities are unified by their high elevation and low humidity, allowing for some of the best stargazing in the world.
Best Places to See the Stars
Smokey Jack Observatory • DeWeese Reservoir • Rosita
Events
Public Star Parties • Public Observing Nights • Public Solar Observing Day Sessions • Facebook Livestream Events
Top Attractions
Go for a Hike • Frontier Pathways scenic & historic byway • Local Art Galleries • Mission: Wolf • Summer Music Festivals • All Aboard Westcliffe, Beckwith Ranch & The Silver Cliff Museum • Planet Walk
Best Places to See the Stars
Windy Point Observation Site • Wupperman Campground at Lake San Cristobal • The Slumgullion Center
Events
Wednesday Stargazing & Private Astronomy Programs
Top Attractions
Alpine Loop scenic & historic byway • Climbing a Fourteener • Hinsdale County Museum • 100+ Miles of Groomed Winter Trails • Fishing
Best Places to See the Stars
The Bachelor Loop Historic Tour • Love Lake • Pool Table Road
Top Attractions
Creede Historical Museum • Underground Mining Museum • Creede Repertory Theatre • Silver Thread scenic byway • North Clear Creek Falls
Check out this video to see what it's like to stargaze at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Best Places to See the Stars
Events
Top Attractions
Hike & Explore the Various Landscapes & Terrain • Photograph the Various Ecosystems • Check out the Visitor Center • Camp at the Pinon Flats Campground • When Medano Creek is Flowing, Pack a Picnic & Go Wading
Best Places to See the Stars
Baca National Wildlife Refuge • Orient Land Trust • Joyful Journey Hot Springs • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve • Designated in-town locations
Events
Top Attractions:
More than 15 spiritual centers • Hike the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness • Hike to Willow Lake • North Crestone Creek Campground • Baca National Wildlife Refuge • Orient Land Trust • Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Best Places to See the Stars
Southern Colorado Astronomical Park • Uptop Historic District
Events
Top Attractions
Art Galleries • Francisco Fort Museum • Live Music at La Veta Mercantile & Deerprint Wine & Bistro • Wahatoya Lakes State Wildlife Area • Francisco Center for the Performing Arts
Best Places to See the Stars
Cuchara Mountain Park • Bear Lake Campground • Blue Lake Campground
Events
Top Attractions
Cuchara Mountain Park • Highway of Legends byway • The Bear’s Den Mini Golf • Cuchara River Recreation Area • Cordova Pass
Best Places to See the Stars
Hartman Rocks • Taylor Canyon • Blue Mesa Reservoir • Gunnison Valley Observatory
Top Attractions
Hartman Rocks • Curecanti National Recreation Area • Blue Mesa Reservoir • Taylor Canyon • Taylor Park Reservoir • Black Canyon of the Gunnison • Pioneer Museum
Best Places to See the Stars
Ledges Rockhouse Campground • Pinto Mesa • Naturita Town Park • Hanging Flume Overlook • Wright's Mesa • Miramonte Reservoir
Top Attractions
Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway • Rimrocker Museum • Hiking & Mountain Biking • OHVing the Rimrocker Trail • Norwood History Museum • Miramonte Reservoir • Lone Cone Peak • Thunder Trails • Shamrock (Y-11) Trail
Best Places to See the Stars
Top of the Pines • Frontier Park • Dennis Weaver Memorial Park • Orvis Hot Springs • Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa • Double G Ranch & Lodge • Year-Round, One-Night Itinerary
Stargazing Events
August Astronomy Week & Summer Night Astronomy Lessons • Black Canyon Astronomical Society Events • Full Moon Hikes at Ridgway State Park
Top Attractions
Ridgway State Park • Arts & Entertainment • Ridgway Creative District • Railroad & Ranch Museums • Western Movie History • Hiking • Biking • Hot Springs • Farmers' Market