I look forward to sharing the beauty and majesty of the New Mexico night sky with you. Designated as a dark sky park in 2021, Valles Caldera National Preserve is New Mexicos newest International Dark Sky Park. This is State Road 554, and you go approximately 12 miles on this road until you reach El Rito. Observatoryof the University of New Mexico. 3 Baths. We booked this during a weekend reunion of high school and college friends and loved it! The park is also home to incredible, unobstructed views of the night skies. The State Park has a visitor center with information on dinosaurs as well as the geology of the region. The hosts offer the main ranch house, studio apartments, and RV hookups for guests who want to spend the night. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory opens its door to the public and offers tours and stargazing events throughout the year. Salinas hosts many dark-sky events at its three archaeological sitesAb, Gran Quivira, and Quarai. This makes it a great spot to escape the city and get an up-close look at the sky. New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, and that's no accident: this southwestern state is an amazingly magical (enchanting!) However, observers are permitted to setup scopes just outside the park's fenced area. Actually, the desert near TorC is great, you just need to get out of town. 9521 Rio Grande Blvd. There are a lot, so well name just a few of the most beloved ones. Enjoy boating, picnicking, camping, fishing and hiking. Certified as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located in North America, this park is a must-see when stargazing in New Mexico. Start your stargazing New Mexico trip with an RV rental from Cruise Americas Albuquerque pickup location. Joshua Tree National Parkonly an approximate two-hour drive away from L.A.is by far one of the best places for stargazing near Los Angeles. If youre into birdwatching, make sure you visit the refuge during the day. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, and while its not the capital city, it is the one most travelers will visit. Stargazing and studying the night sky isnt a new activity in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Do you know of any other great places for stargazing in New Mexico, or have questions about these ones? Music Festivals in the Northeast You Need to Attend in 2023, Music Festivals in the Pacific Northwest You Need to Attend in 2023, Music Festivals in the Southwest You Need to Attend in 2023, Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon: How to Make it Unique. The park offers excellent group facilities and fifty campsites along the Little Tesuque Creek. 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. Sitting off of U.S. Highway 180, Cosmic Campground is a 3.5-acre site with an important astronomical heritage. It is an oasis for stargazers in New Mexico because the park is elevated at 5,186 feet. Read our guide to New Mexico stargazing locations and plan your road trip. No more than one e-mail is sent daily, summarizing all the new posts from the previous day. My experience at Astronomy Adventures could not have been better. As such, its not difficult to find nice, dark areas at night to get a good view of the stars. Where is your favorite place to watch New Mexicos stunning dark skies? 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. If your main goal is to observe the Milky Way, the Lava Falls, Big Tubes, and El Calderon trailheads provide some of the best seats there. Their skyward observations are reflected in the layout of their buildings, at their ceremonial sites, and in the petroglyphs they created. If you want to spend the night, The Wild Rivers Recreation Area at the confluence of the Ro Grande and Red River includes many campgrounds. Placitas is a small town thats only thirty minutes away from Albuquerque. Before diving into the telescope viewing, rangers and astronomers give presentations on archaeoastronomy and cultural history. Buck Wolfe Dr., Socorro, NM 87801, mro.nmt.edu. The International Dark-Sky Association designated the central New Mexico monument as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. The Manzano Mountains to the west block much of the light pollution and sky glow generated from Albuquerque and development along the I-25 corridor. You can expect to see up to 40 meteors streaking across the sky per hour. Santa Fe Stargazers is an amateur astronomy club located in Santa Fe, NM. The Magdalena Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual Enchanted Skies Star Party about 20 miles from the array. Experience the breath-taking grandeur of twinkling stars on a pitch-black canvas without the interruption of city lights. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The refuge comprises 560 acres of restored habitat for wildlife habitat and migratory birds. Read on to find the best spots in the state for stargazing! High elevations, low population densities, dry climate, and abundance of clear nights makes New Mexico the perfect destination for stargazing adventures. See more. Its easy to find a good spot to park the RV and stargaze the night away here. Santa Fe Weather Forecasts. 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. Capulin Volcano National Monument isnt just a geologically significant place it's also an excellent spot for stargazing as its skies are some of the darkest in the nation. Visit their website:Valles Caldera National Preserve. You just need to know where to look to get the best stargazing opportunities. Incredible stargazing opportunities can be had anywhere at this site, especially its Gran Quivira Ruins. Located near Abiquiu, hosts monthly dark night star parties. Dark Skies New Mexico is an astronomers dream. Its remote location, clean air, and high elevation provide excellent conditions to surf the night sky. It can be inspiring, intimidating, overwhelming and more, depending on your state of mind and philosophical inclinations. The primitive campground is a flat, dirt site. 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. Spend a night under the stars without having to worry about any light pollution at this state park. Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose. Very thank ful for this tour and Peters knowledge that he shared with us. As is the case with most cities, your options for stargazing within Albuquerque are admittedly limited. My name is Valerie, and I'm the founder of Space Tourism Guide! Its isolation from city lights makes it a favorite spot for the Albuquerque Astronomical Society. I don't mind if people leave 'early'. The site protects over 33,000 acres of gorgeous rugged canyon and mesa country, plus evidence of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. Also see amateur astronomy clubs in NM. Craving some New Mexico stargazing? Live a little further from those places? I do keep a waitlist. Definitely science based. 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. While it fits more adventurous stargazers, it might be worth considering since the parks operating hours vary by season. Chaco is an IDA-designated dark-sky park. Here in New Mexico, we still have skies that are clear and dark enough to explore the many fascinating jewels of the night. Browse this map for a few of the top spots to stargaze in Albuquerque, then read on to learn more about them. The museum also has a planetarium where you can learn more about our universe. Stargazing in New Mexico is an ancient and authentic experience. 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. If you can, join a Ranger for a moonlight hike of the volcano rim! 740 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87501, emnrd.state.nm.us. The regular booking calendar has been discontinued as I transition Astronomy Adventures to its new form. Peter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic! Founded in 1939, Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is a top spot to watch the migration of the Sandhill cranes in the fall. The park is a short drive from Santa Fe and offers excellent group facilities and campsites. Come on out and get acquainted with some of natures most distant and beautiful creations. The Stargazer will run rain or shine. The Very Large Array is one of the worlds largest radio observatories. 4,146 Sq. TIP: You can get a discount if you volunteer to help with the events. Youll discover over twenty of the best stargazing sites across the state, from state and national parks to places where you can join a star party. The Quandrantids is a fascinating, above-average meteor shower that doesn't usually get the love it deserves. A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect. Visit their website:Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument protects four of the best-preserved 17th century Spanish mission churches in the continental United States of America. 110000 Ice Cave Rd., Grants, NM 87020, nps.gov. A 1.42 hectare (3.5 acre) site in the Gila National Forest of western New Mexico, U.S. How Good is the Stargazing in Albuquerque? Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Aztec Ruins National Monument was the home of the ancient people of the Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Star Parties are held every now and then, and anyone is welcome to join in on the fun. The Best Spots for Stargazing in Albuquerque, Stargazing Spots Within One Hour of Albuquerque, Stargazing Spots Within Two Hours of Albuquerque. So you wont have trouble finding dark areas to set up your telescope and surf the night sky. Two of the 5 certified dark spots in NM are open (though you need to call Salinas Pueblo mission national monument in order to stargaze) but they are both a 2-3hour drive. Visitors can observe the alignment of the north wall of Aztec West with the sunset position on the western horizon (check website for dates.). Please contact them for any public outreach programs. . The park is famous for housing over 500 fossilized dinosaur footprints and tail prints and its beautiful eponymous lake. The volcanic rim offers panoramic views of four different states and one of the darkest night skies in the country. This farmland is isolated from city lights and is a wide-open space to go stargazing. Read our guide to New Mexico stargazing locations to learn helpful tips and find the best spots to stop for viewing the stars. This observatory is open to the public every Friday night. New Mexico skies are famous and beloved. Hundreds of stars, and the milky way, are readily visible from the cities, but when you drive a short distance away from the lightsthe view is resplendent. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. As you can see, New Mexico is home to exquisite night skies all around. There are also rentals available in the area for amateur astronomers looking to enjoy a getaway that involves a celestial light show every night. If you enjoy looking at the stars this is something you MUST do when in Santa Fe. Browse the navigation bar to learn more about Astronomy Adventures. Love New Mexico? Take the first college driveway on the left. The . While stargazing in New Mexico, youll get a sense of the vast galactic clock that has been ticking since before time and the marks that have been left by planetary forces and humans too. increase our knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of astronomy. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, abqtodo.com. San Jos de Gracia Church in Las Trampas is one of New Mexicos best examples of 18th century Spanish Colonial architecture. Its construction began in 1973 after NRAO astronomers realized they needed an array of radio dishes to complement the work of their giant, single-dish telescopes. We booked this as something special to do together, and we most certainly enjoyed our evening. The night skies feature very little light pollution, and star-gazing events are hosted every month of the year during the week of the new moon for the general public. The StarGazer 2 - 2.5 hours Live Music Departs from Santa Fe Join us after dark on a trip to the Galisteo Basin to view the amazing New Mexico night sky! Similar to its western neighbor, Arizona, New Mexico is one of those states that is pretty much ideal for stargazing. If one of those people was you Thank you! I invite you to join me for an experience that goes far beyond the ordinary. We have 4 adults. Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexicos first state park and is a popular spot for hiking and camping. We host, and are available to help you host, Star Gazes, complete with guided tours of the night sky and the opportunity to look through some of the Stargazers telescopes at some of the skys best seasonal offerings. The community has implemented covenants in the homeowner association bylaws restricting light to protect the dark sky phenomena that makes their location special. Bandelier National Monument is another top New Mexico stargazing spot. place full of wonder, intrigue, fascinating history, and, of course, ridiculously beautiful places. 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. 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, fws.gov. The Very Large Array Radio Telescope facility is only two hours away from Albuquerque. Its location was chosen in an effort to avoid light pollution, which makes it one of the best spots for stargazing in New Mexico. 60 Columbine Ln., Cedar Crest, NM 87008, www.aps.edu/sandia-mountain-natural-history-center/. However, if you want to experience great art in one location, you should come to the New Mexico Museum of Art. The state question is "red or green." Do you remember a time when the skies were darker, the stars brighter, and the wonder and awe of the night sky was enough to captivate the imagination? Part of why the monument enjoys pristine dark skies is due to the Manzano Mountains, which curtails the skyglow and light pollution of Albuquerque and metropolitan areas along the I-25 corridor produce. The campground is located 8 miles north of Alma, NM off NM Highway 180. Actual tour length can vary due to group size, questions to address and viewing conditions. You can go anywhere outside of Santa Fe including Hyde Memorial State Park and Cerrillos Hills State Park to see all the stars you can imagine. Placitas, New Mexico is a tiny town outside of Albuquerque with no stop lights or streetlights in an effort to control light pollution. Stargazing in New Mexico is an ancient and authentic experience. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. Drive to a T, turn left and go past some buildings and into the field where the Observatory is located. For indigenous people who lived on this land long before its colonization and who reside in New Mexico today, the connection to the night skies have always been both spiritual and sacred. the act or practice of a stargazer; absorption in chimerical or impractical ideas : woolgathering; the quality or state of being absent-minded See the full definition I hope you find resources here to help you do just that. You can sleep under the stars and enjoy a whole night gazing without a tour guide, or arrange a tour early and have a place to stay close by. Visit their website:Fort Union National Monument. How to use stargazing in a sentence. Cosmology was crucial in Chacoans lives, and they even erected their buildings in relation to the cycles of the sun and moon. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Get an RV rental from Cruise America today! New Mexico's first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek. Within an hour of Albuquerque, youll be able to reach some even more impressive stargazing spots. Campers set up a short walk from the main sky-viewing area which has hardened observation pads where people can set up telescopes. Some observatories are complexes that host multiple telescopes at the same site. visit the FAQ page at the Astronomy Adventures webpage for additional information, What is duration of the tour? Club Name City Alamogordo Astronomy Club Alamogordo Amateur Astronomers Group Alamogordo Albuquerque Astronomical Society The sky provides a theatrical performance using the sun, the clouds and the moon as players. Santa Fe can feel like a giant art museum, given how much amazing creativity is all around the city. The park offers activities for every taste, including mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, and, of course, stargazing. Highly recommend this tour! The Domes (High Rolls, NM, United States) Re-energize on the wraparound deck of this remote dome situated in New Mexico. It has some of the darkest and clearest skies in New Mexico for stargazing. The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) conducts classical astronomical research with the observatorys 2.4-meter telescope. Once you arrive (make sure you follow the directions on their website), find a comfortable spot to set up your telescope. There are numerous options for learning more about the night sky throughout New Mexico, with several options included below. Weather Near Santa Fe: Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; Rio Rancho, NM; Company. Perhaps, thats why you can find a lot of International Dark Sky Parks here. It offers stunning views of New Mexico dark skies. The New Mexico Skies observatory is next door, making this emerging community a haven for astronomy buffs. Offers periodic night sky programs, providing an opportunity to marvel at the heavens in the shadow of the ancients. 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 Night Sky Adventures. Thanks for stopping by and Clear Skies! Read on to find the best stargazing spots in Albuquerque, NM. Eight years later, the famous. The Orilla Verde Recreation Area also has campgrounds near the rivers edge. 1. As darkness falls, planets and stars emerge. Our Stars Rule: Protecting ancient ruinsand the night sky. 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. The exceptional Etscorn Campus Observatory is at the New Mexico Tech campus. Visitors have the opportunity to attend an astronomy event or can observe the night skies on their own. It was the first New Mexico State park to have its own observatory! Eric, Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours from the scheduled start time. 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. While it was cold, there was a place to warm up, and the cold was definitely worth it--you don't get sky clarity like that without a price! Use these tips when gazing at the New Mexico night sky on your next road trip. Located on the Plains of San Agustin, the Very Large Array is a world-leading astronomical radio observatory. . They last an hour and take place at the Juniper Campground Amphitheater parking lot. Your email address will not be published. Arrive in daylight for a 360-degree view of the setting sun. Situated between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area. Where is the best stargazing in New Mexico? Pick up a Cruise America RV rental from our convenient Albuquerque location and get started on your road trip! The Campus Observatory is open to the public on Friday nights, free of charge. There are only 3 miles of road, but over 70 miles of hiking trails. The tours are a great way to experience the grandeur of an unspoiled night sky filled with thousands of bright, twinkling stars. El Malpais National Monument comprises 114,276 acres, and over two-thirds of those acres are wilderness. Can You See the Milky Way in Albuquerque? Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a historical site that consists of a series of Spanish missionaries. Groups with more than 12 people, parties wanting more one telescope and astronomer, and locations away from my regular viewing site will have higher rates depending upon specific needs. 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. Astronomy Adventures does. What a unique and special way to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, graduation or other celebration. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased. The Fort Union National Monument is one of our newer designated Dark Sky zones, having been officialized in 2019. Daily, we are treated to blue skies, magical sunrises, and dramatic orange sunsets. While youre free to find a spot and set up your telescope, Cosmic Campground hosts star parties during the summer, where professional and amateur astronomers show visitors celestial phenomena. We meet regularly to share and improve our knowledge and understanding of astronomy, and the art and craft of stargazing. Next, we are going to take a look at some of the best stargazing locations in New Mexico for beginner and experienced stargazers. Suggested duration 1-2 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. International Dark Sky Association. Its pitch-dark skies allow stargazers to see the stars like they never have before. It runs every year from January 1st to January 5th, but it peaks on the night of the 3rd. 5. Where is the nearest night sky star viewing near truth or consequences. The University of New Mexicos Physics and Astronomy Department features a Campus Observatory with a 14-inch telescope. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome. Santa Fe, New Mexico Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. 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. Astronomers give guests laser-guided presentations of the night sky for two hours and invite them to look through the telescope. El Malpais National Monument is a large area of protected land thats full of lava tube caves, cinder cones, and sandstone bluffs. This 89,000 acre National Preserve is in the heart of one of three super volcanoes in the United States and is known for its expansive mountain meadows, abundance of wildlife, and stunning views of the night skies. Will be staying in Taos and want to know if there is a good place to see the night sky for star gazing. New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, and thats no accident: this southwestern state is an amazingly magical (enchanting!) It features a 12 x 16-foot building with a retractable roof that houses a computer-operated telescope (12 inch Meade) and remote television monitor so groups can admire the star-studded sky. I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. Here in the Land of Enchantment, we celebrate our dark skies and relish in the starlight. Little can rival the beauty of the night sky. If you have questions, call me at 505-577-7141. The site has a warming hut (yes!) Make sure you check out their website for any updates. A monthly calendar listing events (including Star Parties) at various NM State Parks can be found at: https://wwwapps.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/parksevent/calendar/Default.aspx Stars-N-Parks hosts family friendly star parties in several southern New Mexico state parks: These family star parties offer camping in the state parks, tours of the night sky and sometimes visits to an observatory. IDA-designated dark-sky park in northeastern New Mexico, near Clayton and Raton. Wildlife viewing, rafting, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are more popular ones. Many people dont know that it is also an excellent place to go stargazing in New Mexico. Located in a remote area of Animas, NM, Dark Skies New Mexico has no light or atmospheric pollution. Thanks. Brandie is a freelance writer and digital media strategist. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Assuming I can be available, I now offer exclusive, custom bookings for private parties, school and corporate groups. Every event will have experts who can guide you through all the major planets and constellations. Complete darkness finds the Milky Way crowning the mountains of the Gila Wilderness, as well as the faint glow of distant galaxies and zodiacal light. Our compact plus unit is a fully self-contained RV. Dear friends and lovers of the night sky, after 20 years of exploring the starry deeps, we are shifting away from weekly tours and moving ahead with a different business model. and Peter is friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks for your comment! She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. However, it is possible to see it in almost any spot mentioned within two hours of Albuquerque if the conditions are right. Peter is extremely knowledgable! Another must-do when it comes to night sky watching in New Mexico is Clayton Lake State Park, which has the distinguishment of being New Mexicos first official Dark Sky Park. Our safe and secure viewing site is an easy drive from Santa Fe. Across U.S. Highway180, an orange cattle guard begins the 1.3-mile, hard-surface road to the Cosmic Campground. Definitely worth the time & money. Highly recommend! The night sky viewing area at Capulin Volcano is recognized as a Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Place. The museum also has a planetarium where you can learn more about our universe. There are three distinct sites at the National Monument: Ab, Gran Quivira, and Quarai. The telescope is connected to a remote television monitor so groups can see the starry images. Your email address will not be published. El Morro National Monument is a prime spot for history buffs who want to revisit the relics of travelers who passed through it during their journeys. However, more recent studies attribute copper pitting to microbial induced corrosion (MIC). Santa Fe is a good spot to view the night sky, even saw a shooting star for the first time, I was amazed by the telescope, I had no idea what to expect but it was massive. 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. Thanks for stopping by and Clear Skies. Since its opening, its main goal has been to prove that people and wildlife can coexist sustainably. Its the same reason ten percent of the state is visible from the top of Sandia Peak without binoculars. 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