Find solitude and soak up Colorado’s glittering starscapes at these nine dark sky getaways.
Cosmic Colorado: A Stargazer’s Guide to the Centennial State

Colorado is one of the few places where you can stroll among 700-foot sand dunes and gaze at snow-capped peaks at the same time. The San Luis Valley is home to one of the largest uninterrupted dune fields in North America: Colorado’s own version of the Sahara in the shadow of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. It’s also an International Dark Sky Park. Here, rangers don’t just let folks hike and camp amid the dunes at night—they encourage it. If you follow their lead, you’ll be treated to a surreal landscape bathed in blue moonlight and a 360-degree view of the sky. On moonless nights, gaze upon the rippling expanse of the Milky Way and keep your eyes peeled for shooting stars. 

You’re already looking for stars. Why not keep an eye out for aliens while you’re at it? The best place to engage in an extraterrestrial side quest is, naturally, the UFO Watchtower, a purpose-made viewing platform near Center, Colorado. Over the last 25 years, it’s become one of the state’s most beloved roadside attractions, particularly with visitors traveling past it on their way between Denver and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. For a small fee, you can camp on the grounds, stroll through the charmingly eclectic Healing Garden, and chat with locals about their own (sometimes numerous) UFO sightings. When night falls and the stars come out, climb atop the platform and gaze at the glittering skies until you spot alien life (or fall asleep trying).

Located in Westcliffe, Colorado, the world's highest-altitude Dark Sky Community,  Smokey Jack Observatory has a magnetic allure for amateur and professional astronomers alike. Yes, it’s impressively remote, and equipped with a retractable roof and high-powered telescope. But this vantage point's real secret weapon is its elevation: at more than 8,000 feet above sea level, the observatory is surrounded by cold, dry air. Without any moisture or dust to blur the heavens, viewers are left with a crystal-clear view of the celestial realm. Bring your own gear, or time your visit to coincide with a sky-watching party or astronomy festival, and plan to stay the night: there’s a nearby A-frame chalet run by dark sky enthusiasts that’s fully off-grid. 

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison certainly knows how to make an impression. Up to 2,000 feet deep and only a quarter mile wide, this sheer-sided gorge seems to drop straight to the center of the earth. In daylight, the rock—a dark granite painted with bands of pink crystal—is mesmerizing. But the true show comes after sunset. Hidden within the folds of the San Juan foothills, the Black Canyon occupies one of the most remote corners of Colorado—which means no light pollution to speak of. Certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015, this destination offers exceptional night-sky viewing, as well as stargazing programs scheduled throughout the summer months. Snag an RV-friendly site on the canyon's rim, or hike in and camp on its floor. There, the sounds of Gunnison River will lull you to sleep beneath a delicate ribbon of starlit sky.

Mesa Verde feels like the birthplace of the world. Here, the stones, the sand, and even the starlight seem to give forth an ancient wisdom. And maybe they do: more than 1,400 years ago, this place was home to the Ancestral Puebloans, an early Native American people whose cliffside dwellings and delicate adobe palaces still decorate the canyon walls. But while many of these artifacts are visible during the day, the best time to wander Mesa Verde is at night. An International Dark Sky Park, this landscape is far from city lights, ensuring that the sky remains just as profoundly dark as it did 1,400 years ago to its early inhabitants. Pull off on any number of scenic overlooks for an unobstructed view of the stars—including the constellations that guided and inspired America’s first inhabitants.

A sculpture garden carved by time, this aptly named city park on the outskirts of Colorado Springs bristles with wind-whittled sandstone spires. The slender fins—which tower more than 300 feet over the surrounding walkways—catch the starlight on dark nights and cast dramatic moonshadows on brighter evenings, making this one of the best places in Colorado Springs to stroll after dusk. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society often hosts free star parties at the park throughout the year, allowing visitors to linger after hours to take full advantage of the crisp, cold air and the vivid viewing it enables. Be sure to glance west toward Pikes Peak, too. On some nights, the snow-crowned mountain seems to shimmer with a gentle blue glow.

Launch a kayak on the glassy, star-sprinkled surface of Blue Mesa Reservoir, and you’ll feel as if you’ve drifted into dreamland. This massive lake is the crown jewel of Curecanti National Recreation Area, a sprawling aquatic playground that lies beneath the sky-tickling Dillon Pinnacles of western Colorado. It’s also one of the biggest reservoirs in the state—or, as you might realize when you visit, one of the biggest mirrors in which to view the night sky. Time your trip to this certified Dark Sky park for a calm night, when you’re more likely to catch the stars’ shimmering reflection. Plan to stay a few days, too: campsites here are abundant, as are opportunities for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and even sailing. 

Not far from the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, you’ll find another hidden corner of ancient Colorado: Hovenweep National Monument. This International Dark Sky Park encircles and protects a number of ceremonial sites. Built by the Ancestral Puebloan people more than 1,200 years ago, the structures include delicately perched cliffside towers, stacked stone walls, and even a turreted castle. Some experts believe that the buildings were designed to track major celestial events like summer and winter solstices—suggesting that the area has been a favorite among stargazing astronomers for more than a millennium. 

One of our nation’s newest International Dark Sky Parks, Jackson Lake is a quiet oasis tucked amid the grasslands of northern Colorado. Its sandy beaches and lush shores make it a favorite among birders, boaters, anglers, RVers—and, of course, stargazers. Far from the bright lights of Denver, this lakeside retreat is lacking in light pollution, which bodes well for uninterrupted views of the glimmering constellations and planets above. Pack your camp chair and get ready to be amazed.