The installation consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration fifty miles west of Socorro on the Plains of San Agustin. Here are some of the best destinations to stargaze in New Mexico. Beneath the park is 83 individual caves, with the Carlsbad Cavern as the main attraction. $1,585,000. Daily, we are treated to blue skies, magical sunrises, and dramatic orange sunsets. Next, we are going to take a look at some of the best stargazing locations in New Mexico for beginner and experienced stargazers. Banner Photo by Steven Miller, Astrophotographer. Stargazing in New Mexico is an ancient and authentic experience. Required fields are marked *, Hi! That was before we even looked through the telescope, which revealed Uranus, star clusters, nebulae and more. The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre landmass full of dark areas for some of the best New Mexico stargazing. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory opens its door to the public and offers tours and stargazing events throughout the year. 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. The park is an oasis in the rolling grasslands of northeastern New Mexico. This farmland is isolated from city lights and is a wide-open space to go stargazing. 3 Beds. The 15 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Philadelphia, The 15 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Anchorage. Astronomy Adventures does. You should see the dome-shaped Observatory in a field on the left just before the campus. Another top spot to go stargazing in New Mexico, Clayton Lake State Park, is New Mexicos first International Dark Sky Park, earning the title back in 2010. New Mexico skies are so spectacular that an astronomy community has emerged near Silver City. The refuge staff has installed warm white and yellow lights to reduce the unnatural blue light that deters nocturnal animals. I founded STG to help others learn about and experience the night sky. They also hold dark-sky viewing sessions during Fall, Winter, and Spring, although you should check their website to see the specific dates. Chacoan people, a prehistoric Pueblo culture that inhabited these territories, already had a strong relationship with the sky and collected vast knowledge on lunar and solar cosmology. Jasper National Park, Jasper, AB, Canada. All 19 Pueblos within New Mexico, the Hopi, and Navajo people have maintained oral accounts of their historical migration from Chaco and have a continued spiritual relationship with the land. If you have questions, call me at 505-577-7141. The observatory's computer-operated telescope is cleverly tucked into a 12 x 16-foot building with a retractable roof. At night, though, this park becomes a haven for New Mexico stargazers. They host a number of star parties during the year, including the annual Enchanted Sky Star Party. restroom facilities are a porta potty. The Bachechi Open Space is located on 27-acres of flat farmland. 60 Columbine Ln., Cedar Crest, NM 87008, www.aps.edu/sandia-mountain-natural-history-center/. We get together regularly and spontaneously for dark skyobservingusing everything from the naked eye, to binoculars, to telescopes large and small. How Good is the Stargazing in Albuquerque? The New Mexico Skies observatory is next door, making this emerging community a haven for astronomy buffs. Check out their website to learn about upcoming night sky events. Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. Peter is extremely knowledgable! The community has implemented covenants in the homeowner association bylaws restricting light to protect the dark sky phenomena that makes their location special. Incredible stargazing opportunities can be had anywhere at this site, especially its Gran Quivira Ruins. They post their events on the websites calendar and via social media. Located near Abiquiu, hosts monthly dark night star parties. Also it can get quite cold. Featured photo credit: John Fowler via Flickr, While its name suggests a connection with Aztecs, nothing could be further from the truth. 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Stargaze definition, to gaze at or observe the stars. The sky often looks more like a movie set, rendered by an artist that might be under the influence of something. Within an hour of Albuquerque, youll be able to reach some even more impressive stargazing spots. When it comes to major cities, Albuquerque is one of the best places for a stargazer to live. During the day, you can explore the relics of the ancient communities that once inhabited these lands. In New Mexico is known for chile and most residents have an affinity for piquant peppers. Eric, Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours from the scheduled start time. Ft. 1860 Forest Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87505. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Its sparse population, clear skies, and lack of humidity make it very easy to get a great look at the stars at night. It has over 242,555-acres of rugged landscape, so you have a plethora of spots to set your telescope. place full of wonder, intrigue, fascinating history, and, of course, ridiculously beautiful places. Each ticket includes a seat in our enclosed (heated) train cars, access to an outdoor open air flatbed car, a complimentary champagne welcome as the adventure begins, live music, and presentations by professional guides! Pick up a Cruise America RV rental from our convenient Albuquerque location and get started on your road trip! The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. Since Aztec Ruins National Monument is far from any major cities, it also makes an excellent spot to go stargazing in New Mexico. The gate across the road leading to the visitor's center closes at 4:30pm. However, not all the action happens beneath the park. It is important to recognize that Chaco Canyon is the sacred ancestral homelands of the Ancient Puebloans and continues to have a history of profound importance to their living descendants. The hosts offer the main ranch house, studio apartments, and RV hookups for guests who want to spend the night. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was one of the most significant events in New Mexicos history. For the best stargazing in New Mexico possible, look for the darkest skies in New Mexico, which leads us to the next point: Where can I go star gazing in New Mexico? 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. Dear friends and lovers of the night sky, after 21 years of exploring the starry deeps, we have shifted from weekly tours and are working a different business model. Evidence suggests that the ancient people who lived at Chaco watched the sun, moon, and stars too. more. Located north of Watrous in Mora County, Fort Union National Monument is another excellent spot for stargazing. It does get cold, take layers, binnies, mittens,scarfs hand warmers so you can enjoy to the fullest. Kinda important to know. Rangers and astronomy volunteers share all their knowledge about the cosmos and help guests get the best views of the stars. Seeing how the Milky Way rises into the night sky above ancestral Pueblo ruins is an unforgettable experience. Your first thought may be that there is too much light pollution at the University of New Mexico for stargazing in Albuquerque. El Malpais National Monument comprises 114,276 acres, and over two-thirds of those acres are wilderness. Bandelier National Monument has amazing night sky programs throughout the year. Self-guided tours are available every day, and all tours are free of charge. World North America United States New Mexico Santa Fe. Although its located north of Santa Fe, its still a great place for stargazing. Astronomy Adventures offers educational and entertaining guided night sky tours. Clayton Lake State Park is located north of Clayton, New Mexico and is known for its wide open skies, fishing derbies, and dinosaur tracks. Thanks. Theres almost no light pollution to speak of, and the skies are nice and dark at night. They have numerous telescopes, including a 20-inch Dobsonian inside a 15-foot dome and a Celestron C-14 on a Paramount GT-1100 mount. Peter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic! Cloud cover is the most common deterrent. Santa Fe Weather Forecasts. During the summer months, their staff holds stargazing sessions on most Saturday nights. 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. Star parties are held throughout the year, and anyone can participate. Three generations celebrating the oldest birthday. increase our knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of astronomy. A few years ago, the preserve also wanted to show that people can depend less on lighting to have an enriching outdoor experience. No visit to Santa Fe should be considered complete without a stargazing evening at Astronomy Adventures. Dark Skies New Mexico is an astronomers dream. Make sure you check out their website for any updates. It's easy to find a good spot to park the RV and stargaze the night away here. They also installed motion sensors and shields on light fixtures. I am immensely grateful and honored to have worked with the thousands of people who have joined me over the years. Similar to its western neighbor, Arizona, New Mexico is one of those states that is pretty much ideal for stargazing. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome. The State Park has a visitor center with information on dinosaurs as well as the geology of the region. Visit their website:Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Not able to make it to Capulin or Clayton? Situated between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area. As a Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Association (IDA) Park, Capulin Volcano boasts one of the best in New Mexico. 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. Get an RV rental from Cruise America today! Can You See the Milky Way in Albuquerque? Some of our favorite spots for stargazing in the Land of Enchantment include most of our stunningly wonderful New Mexico state parks, National Parks in New Mexico, and the majority of awe-inspiring campsites (especially the dispersed ones). Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is not open to the public and is an APS facility. 3D WALKTHROUGH. Cosmology was crucial in Chacoans lives, and they even erected their buildings in relation to the cycles of the sun and moon. 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. I do keep a waitlist. Keep reading to find out the best dark sky destinations in New Mexico and start planning your road trip! She couldn't stop talking about it to whoever asked what her favorite part of the trip was. The compact RV is the ideal unit for two adults of any age and a dinette folding to an extra bed allows for a child. 110000 Ice Cave Rd., Grants, NM 87020, nps.gov. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. Some observatories are complexes that host multiple telescopes at the same site. Looking for a personal guide for stargazing with this group of eight adults. Its a tiny community surrounded by desert, and its far enough from the city that you dont have to worry about light pollution. I hope you find resources here to help you do just that. No visit to Santa Fe should be considered complete without a stargazing evening at Astronomy Adventures. 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. These are popular spots that where you may meet other stargazers or can even attend events an star parties being hosted! Be certain to wear warm clothes as it does get cold in the evenings in Santa Fe, year round. Santa Fe can feel like a giant art museum, given how much amazing creativity is all around the city. He's a true storyteller, and as we peered through his (awesome) telescope, he led us on an adventure through history, recounting early stellar mythologies to modern scientific discoveries and everything in-between. Start your stargazing New Mexico trip with an RV rental from Cruise Americas Albuquerque pickup location. Park staff work hard to maintain this designation and invite the public to enjoy it year-round through public programming and personal observation at its soon-to-be constructed Night Sky Observation station. Today, Chaco Culture National Historical Park continues with the stargazing legacy Chacoan people left by protecting its naturally dark night skies. Nearby similar homes. Please contact them for any public outreach programs. Whether you get expert astronomy insight or just lie in the back of a pickup, take the time to look up and savor the New Mexico sky. 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, fws.gov. Chaco is an IDA-designated dark-sky park. Please contact them for public viewing programs and hours. Here in New Mexico, we still have skies that are clear and dark enough to explore the many fascinating jewels of the night. At night, El Morro National Monument becomes a hotspot for stargazers, and not by mere chance. While it fits more adventurous stargazers, it might be worth considering since the parks operating hours vary by season. While they are not holding any right now, the park also hosts Telescope Programs during the summer months. A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect. Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexicos first state park and is a popular spot for hiking and camping. Milky Way viewing is notably excellent here, and it attracts astrophotographers left and right, year in and year out. Your email address will not be published. Lie back and take in the great views of the galaxy above at Cerrillos Hills State Park. Amateur astronomers wont find a better place to hold their stargazing session than Cosmic Campground. It is among the top 20 darkest night skies measured in more than 90 national parks. 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. This way, you wont have to deal with any excess light interfering with your view. There are numerous options for learning more about the night sky throughout New Mexico, with several options included below. 102 South Ripley St., Mountainair, NM 87036, nps.gov. It also hosts many astronomy programs and nighttime recreation activities, like full moon hikes. Do you have other questions about stargazing in Albuquerque? Even my teenagers loved it. It has been a great run. 801 Leroy Pl., Socorro, NM 87801, nmt.edu. The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000-acre landmass full of dark areas for some of the best New Mexico stargazing. Although youll have to deal with a lot of light pollution within the city, you dont have to drive too far to get an incredible view of the stars. If a suitable opening occurs, I will get in touch. It offers stunning views of New Mexico dark skies. Once you arrive (make sure you follow the directions on their website), find a comfortable spot to set up your telescope. 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. Carlsbad Cavern features an impressive limestone chamber: the Big Room. 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. Tourism Jasper has a top ten list of the best places to stargaze in the national park, which includes Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon and Lake, Columbia Icefields, and Pyramid Lake. 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. Read our guide to New Mexico stargazing locations to learn helpful tips and find the best spots to stop for viewing the stars. Peter was a wealth of knowledge and is clearly passionate about what he does. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 20. The Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuaryis easily accessible from U.S. Highway 180 between Alma and Reserve. It has all the amenities of a motorhome, but provides flexibility when you need it. On August 19, 2013, the International Dark-Sky Association designated Chaco Culture an International Dark Sky Park. As darkness falls, planets and stars emerge. What a unique and special way to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, graduation or other celebration. No more than one e-mail is sent daily, summarizing all the new posts from the previous day. The Very Large Array is one of the worlds largest radio observatories. Capulin Volcano National Monument National monumentNear Capulin. 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). TOURISM Santa Fe Santa Fe Community Convention Center 201 W. Marcy St. Santa Fe, NM 87501 800-777-2489 Buck Wolfe Dr., Socorro, NM 87801, mro.nmt.edu. My 3 children and I were mesmerized by the exquisite beauty in the sky above us! Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. New Mexico skies are famous and beloved. 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. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (Quarai unit), 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036, USA. This custom built trailer provides the freedom to setup camp and use your own vehicle to get in and out of town. Stargazing in New Mexico is an ancient and authentic experience. In order to test . Read on to find the best spots in the state for stargazing! The site has a warming hut (yes!) It also features a wide variety of wildlife, including 358 species of birds. Its easy to find a good spot to park the RV and stargaze the night away here. Park Elevation 5,186 ft The New Mexico Skies Astronomy Enclave is 20 miles north of Deming, or 30 miles south of Silver City on highway 180, near the City of Rocks State stargazingPark. In 2013, Chaco Culture National Historical Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, further enhancing the canyons place as a location where deep sky viewing is available. The park offers activities for every taste, including mountain biking, wildlife viewing, birding, and, of course, stargazing. Here in the Land of Enchantment, we celebrate our dark skies and relish in the starlight. From Espaola, travel north on the road to Abiqui (84/285) for approximately 20 miles. 59, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010, emnrd.state.nm.us. There are also rentals available in the area for amateur astronomers looking to enjoy a getaway that involves a celestial light show every night. Use this form to join the Santa Fe Stargazers Announcement List.The only thing you'll ever see on this list are announcements of Santa Fe Stargazer public events. The uniquely designed, new Visitor Center includes a large display area and modern restrooms with hot showers. and Peter is friendly and knowledgeable. Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Aztec Ruins National Monument was the home of the ancient people of the Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans. There is rarely cloud interference, because it rarely rains, which means low humidity, eliminating condensation that would impair visibility. I highly recommend it! Live a little further from those places? Brandie is a freelance writer and digital media strategist. About 1-1.25 hours from Albuquerque. This has made it a popular spot for stargazers, and star parties are held here on a regular basis. Located in a remote area of Animas, NM, Dark Skies New Mexico has no light or atmospheric pollution. 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. This makes it an ideal spot for stargazing. Subscribers receive an email if - and only if - there are new posts. Generally though expect 35-45 minutes from central Santa Fe. Despite being located just north of Santa Fe, its still an excellent place for stargazing. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. Capulin Volcano National Monument sits in one of the darker parts of the U.S. Your email address will not be published. Still, keep an eye on their website for further updates. As such, its not difficult to find nice, dark areas at night to get a good view of the stars. In a lot of these beautiful places in New Mexico, youll find some excellent world-class stargazing skies thanks to just how dark and remote some parts of the state are. During the day, the owner provides plenty of fun activities, like horseback riding. One of my favorite places to stargaze and image is near the Bodie Island Lighthouse. City of Rocks State Park gets its name from the sculptured rock columns and lanes resembling city streets that make up the landscape. 6. Visitors gather on those nights to attend a lecture usually on the astronomical practices of the ancient Puebloans and how their observations informed their daily lives. Seriously. However, the naked eye can observe the celestial wonders above without a telescope. It runs every year from January 1st to January 5th, but it peaks on the night of the 3rd. Salinas hosts many dark-sky events at its three archaeological sitesAb, Gran Quivira, and Quarai. There are three distinct sites at the National Monument: Ab, Gran Quivira, and Quarai. Every event will have experts who can guide you through all the major planets and constellations. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, and while its not the capital city, it is the one most travelers will visit. Placitas is a small town thats only thirty minutes away from Albuquerque. 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. Perhaps, thats why you can find a lot of International Dark Sky Parks here. Try combining it with a trip to Bandelier/VCNP or one or more of the museums in Los Alamos proper. 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. In December 2019, the International Dark-Sky Association named El Morro a certified International Dark Sky Park (IDSP). Visit their website:Valles Caldera National Preserve. The Fort Union National Monument is one of our newer designated Dark Sky zones, having been officialized in 2019. It's at Overlook Park in White Rock, which generally has very good skies once the monsoonal thunderstorms break up, not as good as before the noisome casinos opened on US 285 and Santa Fe grew large and overly well lit, but still very good. 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. Also, conditions like transparency, referring to the clarity in the sky, affect your ability to see the night sky. The Best Spots for Stargazing in Albuquerque, Stargazing Spots Within One Hour of Albuquerque, Stargazing Spots Within Two Hours of Albuquerque. As such, Fort Union hosts interpretative dark-sky programs featuring both naked-eye astronomy and observations through telescopes throughout the year. 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. My husband and I road tripped to Santa Fe for just one day. White Sands National Park offers primitive backcountry camping in the heart of the dunes for stargazers who want to spend the night there. How to use stargazing in a sentence. Set in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad Caverns is famous for its limestone caves, rock formations, and hiking trails. OPEN TODAY, 12PM TO 2PM. 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 Since most folks rent a car after arriving in Albuquerque, this issue is usually not a problem. With the National Public Observatory, The park hosts one Star Party per month. Because this site is an International Dark Sky Park, it will provide you with your best chance of seeing the Milky Way. Assuming I can be available, I now offer exclusive, custom bookings for private parties, school and corporate groups. The sky provides a theatrical performance using the sun, the clouds and the moon as players. The monument at. The Gran Quivira has the best seats to see the sky, and you can easily spot stars, planets, and the Milky Way with the naked eye. 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 park service often presents viewing parties and presentations on how our night sky differs from what the natives saw before the Spanish conquest. The regular booking calendar has been discontinued as I transition Astronomy Adventures to its new form. Besides stargazing opportunities, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offers a ton of recreational activities. Check the, Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico 88418, USA. The International Dark-Sky Association named Capulin Volcano National Monument a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park in 2016. For waitlist requests - please send name, mobile number and number in party to 505-577-7141 or link to my email address on the TA listing page. Observatoryof the University of New Mexico. The Orilla Verde Recreation Area also has campgrounds near the rivers edge. Also, please remember that traffic or road conditions may be a factor. It is for good reason since the park becomes a haven for stargazers at night.