Wildlife viewing, rafting, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are more popular ones. If you have questions, call me at 505-577-7141. Ft. 1860 Forest Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The uniquely designed, new Visitor Center includes a large display area and modern restrooms with hot showers. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society frequently comes here for its high altitudes and desert environment. Because of New Mexicos desert environment, you can go stargazing at nearly any time during the year. Amateur astronomers wont find a better place to hold their stargazing session than Cosmic Campground. The Campus Observatory is open to the public on Friday nights, free of charge. This is one gorgeous little, Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways, 141 Clayton Lake Rd, Clayton, NM 88415, USA, These mission ruins became a Dark Sky Park in 2016. I look forward to sharing the beauty and majesty of the New Mexico night sky with you. The soaring mountains allow exceptional views of Venus and Mercury, along with many constellations popularized in native art and lore (like Orion, Gemini, and Taurus). As well as being up to 99 percent free of light pollution, visitors to Dark Sky Parks are treated to ranger-led night sky programs that blend science, nature, and history. Browse this map for a few of the top spots to stargaze in Albuquerque, then read on to learn more about them. The range of topics covered, and the depth to which they were covered, was truly impressive. They also have a Dark Sky Viewing Area open all night for using telescopes or binoculars if youd like to do a stargazing session on your own. 59, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010, emnrd.state.nm.us. She couldn't stop talking about it to whoever asked what her favorite part of the trip was. Is the experience more scientific or storytelling/folklore about the constellations? Although conditions at all three units of the park are impressive, Gran Quivira offers nearly unobstructed views in all directions including that of mountain ranges up to 100 miles away. Improve this listing Similar Experiences LIKELY TO SELL OUT* 2-Hour Sunset Serenade by Train 13 Rail Tours from $109.00 per adult 2022 New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza 190 Private and Luxury from $141.70 per adult Santa Fe History Guided Walking Tour 120 Capulin Volcano National Monument sits in one of the darker parts of the U.S. The Visitor Center Parking Area is the best place to park your vehicle for stargazing at Capulin Volcano. The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is an environmental education center located just twenty miles east of Albuquerque. Bring the family for a star party, as park rangers use the parks telescopes to look deep into the star-filled sky over the Monument. Contact them directly for information on upcoming star parties or astronomy related events. Clayton Lake State Park is a 170-acre reservoir known for its dinosaur footprints and fossils, but at night, it turns out to be a great place for New Mexico stargazing. Interpretive park rangers give brief talks about the night sky and any astronomical events underway. In 2019, Fort Union National Monument became an International Dark Sky Park. We will only be in town that weekend. We all learned a lot about the night sky many of us no longer get to see because of light pollution where we live. Okay, so, where specifically are all the best spots for star gazing in New Mexico? The park hosts numerous night-sky events throughout the year and plenty of stargazing parties to see the Milky Way stretching across the sky. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 30 miles away in Arizona. However, the stunning landscape with sculptured columns we see today results from water erosion over millions of years. Its also a certified Dark Sky Park. We are a group of Santa Fe area residents who share a passion for observing the day and night sky, be it by naked eye, binocular, or telescope. The observatory is home to the New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club. Visit their website:Fort Union National Monument. We booked this during a weekend reunion of high school and college friends and loved it! Clayton Lake State Park is located north of Clayton, New Mexico and is known for its wide open skies, fishing derbies, and dinosaur tracks. At an elevation of 5,259 ft, the City of Rocks State Park sits beneath some of the best dark skies in New Mexico. Your email address will not be published. Fort Union became a certified international Dark Sky Park in 2019. Its remoteness also makes it one of the best spots in New Mexico for watching the stars. Northern New Mexico, with its mountainous terrain, provides a good example of what . Live a little further from those places? Eight years later, the famous. 740 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87501, emnrd.state.nm.us. This makes it a great spot to escape the city and get an up-close look at the sky. I am immensely grateful and honored to have worked with the thousands of people who have joined me. Address: 710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA. While theyre not offering tours due to Covid regulations, the Very Large Array provides a self-guided walking tour to explore large, informative signs and the base of one of the giant dish antennas. Peter's passionate tale revealed our place in the universe while sharing the wonders of the night sky with us. I invite you to join me for an experience that goes far beyond the ordinary. It can be inspiring, intimidating, overwhelming and more, depending on your state of mind and philosophical inclinations. Take the first college driveway on the left. Thanks for stopping by and Clear Skies. My party of four friends had an AMAZING time with Peter. The Fort Union National Monument is one of our newer designated Dark Sky zones, having been officialized in 2019. The monument at. Milky Way viewing is notably excellent here, and it attracts astrophotographers left and right, year in and year out. Despite being located just north of Santa Fe, its still an excellent place for stargazing. How Good is the Stargazing in Albuquerque? Then, be sure to explore the, Going Into These 5 Caves In New Mexico Is Like Entering Another World, 18 Fascinating Things You Probably Didnt Know About Carlsbad Caverns In New Mexico, Dont Miss The 7 Best Stargazing Events That Will Light Up The New Mexico Sky In 2023, Explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park Like Never Before On This Virtual Tour, Here Are The 10 Most Incredible Natural Wonders In New Mexico, Follow This 3-Mile Trail In New Mexico To Caves And Unique Rock Formations, This New Mexico Road Trip Takes You From The Underground Carlsbad Caverns To The Mountains Of Taos, Located Off The Beaten Path, This Tiny Oasis Is Hiding In Plain View At Carlsbad Caverns National Park In New Mexico, Capulin Volcano National Monument/Facebook, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. This fellow also taught astronomy at the University of New Mexico Taos branch, though the repetition in theme makes me wonder if park rangers have spent more time looking at the heavens than most. Its isolation from city lights makes it a favorite spot for the Albuquerque Astronomical Society. Thanks to its oasis-like water source, El Morro became a popular resting place for travelers who left their marks. Thanks for your comment! They also hold dark-sky viewing sessions during Fall, Winter, and Spring, although you should check their website to see the specific dates. Puebloans had a deep connection with the cosmos, and their constructions are a testament to that. Located in a remote area of Animas, NM, Dark Skies New Mexico has no light or atmospheric pollution. It has some of the darkest and clearest skies in New Mexico for stargazing. It is close enough to Albuquerque that it still gets some low-level light intrusion, but still, the park is a great place to explore the night sky. Looking to go stargazing in New Mexico? Come on out and get acquainted with some of natures most distant and beautiful creations. Today, Chaco's night skies and the park's observatory, draw visitors from around the world who come to see sky views rarely seen elsewhere. restroom facilities are a porta potty. Offers dark skies amidst the basalt lava flows of Bandera. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact RV. Suggested duration 1-2 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. The tours are a great way to experience the grandeur of an unspoiled night sky filled with thousands of bright, twinkling stars. They post their events on the websites calendar and via social media. We meet regularly toobserveas a group, toshare our passion for the night sky with the lay public, and toincrease our knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of astronomy. The observatory features outstanding facilities. Unlike other parks, Hyde Memorial State Park is a stunning place to visit any season, and it has fun activities to do year-round. Try combining it with a trip to Bandelier/VCNP or one or more of the museums in Los Alamos proper. Be certain to wear warm clothes as it does get cold in the evenings in Santa Fe, year round. Bear in mind that theyre not hosting any events due to Covid regulations. Thanks to its privileged location in the northeastern plains, the park is far from the yellow haze of light pollution that obstructs night sky views. There are also rentals available in the area for amateur astronomers looking to enjoy a getaway that involves a celestial light show every night. When the Santa Fe Southern Railway shut down in 2012, it was one year after novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones premiered on HBO. With 6.5 foot/2 meter ceilings and walk through convenience even tall campers can enjoy the compact plus RV. The hosts offer the main ranch house, studio apartments, and RV hookups for guests who want to spend the night. New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, and that's no accident: this southwestern state is an amazingly magical (enchanting!) Would definitely do this again.very educational, I appreciated his emphasis on some female astronomers as well! The Stargazer will run rain or shine. Many people dont know that it is also an excellent place to go stargazing in New Mexico. Every event will have experts who can guide you through all the major planets and constellations. The campground is located 8 miles north of Alma, NM off NM Highway 180. Once you arrive (make sure you follow the directions on their website), find a comfortable spot to set up your telescope. The Monument is located in the Estancia basin, which is a bowl flanked by mountains and mesas. Read on to find the best spots in the state for stargazing! It is an excellent spot to stargaze if you have children, with park rangers inviting families to surf the star-filled sky over the Monument. A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect, units in the USA even include a power generator. The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) conducts classical astronomical research with the observatorys 2.4-meter telescope. Located at 10,600 feet in the Magdalena Mountains of the Cibola National Forest, theres no doubt that the Magdalena Ridge Observatory offers exceptional views of the night sky. Here in New Mexico, we still have skies that are clear and dark enough to explore the many fascinating jewels of the night. It sits within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie and preserves the second of three forts the U.S. Army constructed in 1851. Next, we are going to take a look at some of the best stargazing locations in New Mexico for beginner and experienced stargazers. The park service often presents viewing parties and presentations on how our night sky differs from what the natives saw before the Spanish conquest. There are a lot, so well name just a few of the most beloved ones. Club Name City Alamogordo Astronomy Club Alamogordo Amateur Astronomers Group Alamogordo Albuquerque Astronomical Society Campers set up a short walk from the main sky-viewing area which has hardened observation pads where people can set up telescopes. The darker half of the world-renowned national park is located in the Low Desert, making it a prime locale for spotting constellations and shooting stars. International Dark Sky Association. However, it is possible to see it in almost any spot mentioned within two hours of Albuquerque if the conditions are right. The installation consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration fifty miles west of Socorro on the Plains of San Agustin. I would buy toe warmers or double up on socks because no matter how bundled up you are, your toes will feel it! Will be staying in Taos and want to know if there is a good place to see the night sky for star gazing. No more than one e-mail is sent daily, summarizing all the new posts from the previous day. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosts stargazing events on a monthly basis. Assuming I can be available, I now offer exclusive, custom bookings for private parties, school and corporate groups. As is the case with most cities, your options for stargazing within Albuquerque are admittedly limited. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! I am immensely grateful and honored to have worked with the thousands of people who have joined me over the years. New Mexico Stargazing June 21, 2022 Tori Jane Where is the best stargazing in New Mexico? Daily, we are treated to blue skies, magical sunrises, and dramatic orange sunsets. Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Aztec Ruins National Monument was the home of the ancient people of the Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans. Okay, so, where specifically are all the best spots for star gazing in New Mexico? That said, there are still ways to experience the night sky even if you cant head out of town. Jasper National Park, Jasper, AB, Canada. The viewing site is located near the village of Cerrillos - 15 miles south of Santa Fe along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NM State Hwy 14). Set in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad Caverns is famous for its limestone caves, rock formations, and hiking trails. But, as we are dependent on the actions of other people, it is hard for me to predict or make promises about whether or not spots will open. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. It has 27 radio antennas layed out in a Y-shaped array. TIP: You can get a discount if you volunteer to help with the events. The sky provides a theatrical performance using the sun, the clouds and the moon as players. $1,585,000. You should see the dome-shaped Observatory in a field on the left just before the campus. If you have been to northeastern New Mexico, you have probably seen, Park rangers at Capulin frequently hold "Park After Dark" events where they discuss the mysteries of the dark skies over New Mexico. Pictured above, the VLA is one of the worlds premier astronomical radio observatories. This post was originally published in June 2018, and was updated for accuracy in January 2022.Featured photo by Yelper_for_life via Flickr. However, observers are permitted to setup scopes just outside the park's fenced area. Your email address will not be published. You just need to know where to look to get the best stargazing opportunities. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a historical site that consists of a series of Spanish missionaries. Located at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the monument sits far enough from light-polluted cities. Share this to help others enjoy the night sky! However, the Campus Observatory offers visitors stunning views of the New Mexico night sky. Each of these are a great place to see stars in the clear night sky. Located at the heart of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve is every outdoor lovers dream. Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is not open to the public and is an APS facility. Thanks for putting this together. In Viewing stars against a jet black sky is like diamonds on velvet, and star clusters with points of light too numerous to count fill the eyepiece like fireworks. ~ Geoff Goins, Park Ranger, founder of, Where To Grab A Great Green Chile Cheeseburger. However, I would add that Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument closes at 5pm each day, so you wont be able to actually go in the park to do any observation, except for on special occasions. Unlike other locations, the preserve offers regular, ongoing 24-hour access to stargazing via six large pull-outs along Highway 4. No visit to Santa Fe should be considered complete without a stargazing evening at Astronomy Adventures. The observatorys several scopes are then turned skyward to view what has made Chaco a haven for amateur astronomers and anyone who wants to connect to this celestial cultural resource. Our kiddo was so impressed that we were able to view so many different types of stellar phenomena, and even different galaxies. From Espaola, travel north on the road to Abiqui (84/285) for approximately 20 miles. Perhaps, thats why you can find a lot of International Dark Sky Parks here. Our professional guides will entertain you with tales of the stars, constellations and planets that have been passed down for hundreds of years. Highway 180 parties to see it in almost any spot mentioned within hours. Unlike other locations, the VLA is one of our newer designated Dark sky Park of Tourism... Stop talking about it to whoever asked what her favorite part of the night sky many of us longer. 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