During colder months, youll witness an impressive sky full of stars and the Milky Way above the adobe ruins at Fort Union. The International Dark-Sky Association named Capulin Volcano National Monument a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park in 2016. Stargazing is optimal every other month of the year too. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. 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. Assuming I can be available, I now offer exclusive, custom bookings for private parties, school and corporate groups. This economical family unit is a traditional favorite for those who want the walk-through convenience of a motorhome. Unfortunately, youre not going to see the Milky Way in the city itself. The mission ruins at Salina Pueblo Mission National Monument became a certified Dark Sky Park in 2016. Featured photo credit: John Fowler via Flickr, While its name suggests a connection with Aztecs, nothing could be further from the truth. The hosts offer the main ranch house, studio apartments, and RV hookups for guests who want to spend the night. Salinas Pueblo Missions preserves 17th-century Spanish mission churches, which means you can enjoy ancient history and exceptional dark skies simultaneously. If you have questions, call me at 505-577-7141. Experience the magnificent New Mexican night sky with a stargazing tour with Astronomy Adventures. Offers periodic night sky programs, providing an opportunity to marvel at the heavens in the shadow of the ancients. Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 13 Lovely Spots for Stargazing in Louisiana, 18 Magnificent Spots for Stargazing in Missouri, 13 Nice Spots for Stargazing in New Jersey. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, nmnaturalhistory.org Interpretive park rangers give brief talks about the night sky and any astronomical events underway. The 275 square miles of glistening wave-like dunes of gypsum sand are enough reason to visit White Sands National Park. There are beautiful hiking trails with spectacular views. From ancient ruins to geological wonders, New Mexico provides the perfect backdrop to look up and admire the wonders of the universe. The Stargazer will run rain or shine. 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. Your first thought may be that there is too much light pollution at the University of New Mexico for stargazing in Albuquerque. The park is an oasis in the rolling grasslands of northeastern New Mexico. 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. Thanks. Thank you! Read on to find the best spots in the state for stargazing! This post was originally published in June 2018, and was updated for accuracy in January 2022.Featured photo by Yelper_for_life via Flickr. Please contact them for public viewing programs and hours. It does get cold, take layers, binnies, mittens,scarfs hand warmers so you can enjoy to the fullest. Three generations celebrating the oldest birthday. We will only be in town that weekend. 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. 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. The University of New Mexicos Physics and Astronomy Department features a Campus Observatory with a 14-inch telescope. Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose. The regular booking calendar has been discontinued as I transition Astronomy Adventures to its new form. So much so that Dark Skies New Mexico has become a popular destination for astrophotographers who chase the perfect shot of the Milky Way. Viator Exclusive: Gourmet Brunch in Santa Fe with Chef Carolina, Stained Glass Class - Hidden Santa Fe Gem, Half-Day Santa Fe Food and History Walking Tour. Daily, we are treated to blue skies, magical sunrises, and dramatic orange sunsets. Hyde Memorial State Park is also a nice place to spend the night. Designated as New Mexicos first dark sky park in 2010, Clayton Lake State Park is a Gold level International Dark Sky Park and has its own 14-inch Mead telescope. Bring all of the comforts and modern conveniences of home with you on your New Mexico stargazing trip with a Cruise America RV rental. 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. Located at an elevation of 7,000 feet, the monument sits far enough from light-polluted cities. Northern New Mexico, with its mountainous terrain, provides a good example of what . 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. Located on the Plains of San Agustin, the Very Large Array is a world-leading astronomical radio observatory. 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. Can You See the Milky Way in Albuquerque? 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 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). Located north of Watrous in Mora County, Fort Union National Monument is another excellent spot for stargazing. I hope you find resources here to help you do just that. The telescope is connected to a remote television monitor so groups can see the starry images. From Espaola, travel north on the road to Abiqui (84/285) for approximately 20 miles. Some of the hills in this state park stand nearly 7000 feet above sea level. Certified as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located in North America, this park is a must-see when stargazing in New Mexico. The Fort Union National Monument is one of our newer designated Dark Sky zones, having been officialized in 2019. Fort Union became a certified international Dark Sky Park in 2019. Peter was a wealth of knowledge and is clearly passionate about what he does. Here in New Mexico, we still have skies that are clear and dark enough to explore the many fascinating jewels of the night. Brandie is a freelance writer and digital media strategist. The Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuaryis easily accessible from U.S. Highway 180 between Alma and Reserve. 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. Peter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic! Buck Wolfe Dr., Socorro, NM 87801, mro.nmt.edu. Stargazing in New Mexico is an ancient and authentic experience. The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge has 57,331 acres of wilderness. Visit their website:Valles Caldera National Preserve. Its the same reason ten percent of the state is visible from the top of Sandia Peak without binoculars. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. Near Red River. 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. Today, Chaco Culture National Historical Park continues with the stargazing legacy Chacoan people left by protecting its naturally dark night skies. It has 27 radio antennas layed out in a Y-shaped array. On August 19, 2013, the International Dark-Sky Association designated Chaco Culture an International Dark Sky Park. 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 Arrive in daylight for a 360-degree view of the setting sun. Keep reading to find out the best dark sky destinations in New Mexico and start planning your road trip! 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. As is the case with most cities, your options for stargazing within Albuquerque are admittedly limited. Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexicos first state park and is a popular spot for hiking and camping. Our Stars Rule: Protecting ancient ruinsand the night sky. The hills at this state park stand nearly 6,000 feet above sea level and make for great stargazing points. Pictured above, the VLA is one of the worlds premier astronomical radio observatories. This makes it an ideal spot for stargazing. Eric, Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours from the scheduled start time. place full of wonder, intrigue, fascinating history, and, of course, ridiculously beautiful places. Its easy to find a good spot to park the RV and stargaze the night away here. Incredible stargazing opportunities can be had anywhere at this site, especially its Gran Quivira Ruins. Among the states of the Southwestern U.S., New Mexico is often overlooked especially when it comes to stargazing and astronomy. One weekend a month during the summer months, a Star Party is held at City of Rocks, where there is a telescope with a large-screen monitor on the premises. 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. However, hiking isnt the only memorable experience in White Sands National Park. The . Capulin Volcano National Monument National monumentNear Capulin. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. 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. Every event will have experts who can guide you through all the major planets and constellations. Dramatic ancient lava flows, towering cinder cones, and underground lava tubes are the first things that come to mind when thinking of the El Malpais National Monument. Browse the navigation bar to learn more about Astronomy Adventures. Some observatories are complexes that host multiple telescopes at the same site. This is especially true for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. The Bachechi Open Space is located on 27-acres of flat farmland. The installation consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration fifty miles west of Socorro on the Plains of San Agustin. Experience the breath-taking grandeur of twinkling stars on a pitch-black canvas without the interruption of city lights. Its pitch-dark skies allow stargazers to see the stars like they never have before. Live a little further from those places? As you can see, New Mexico is home to exquisite night skies all around. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosts stargazing events on a monthly basis. On a clear night, visitors can see thousands of stars blanketing the New Mexico sky. Santa Fe, New Mexico Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. Bandelier National Monument is another top New Mexico stargazing spot. 60 Columbine Ln., Cedar Crest, NM 87008, www.aps.edu/sandia-mountain-natural-history-center/. 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. And especially for the quality of darkness overhead once the hot sun sets. If youre planning a trip to New Mexico and curious about stargazing in this fascinating but oft-overlooked state, read on. It does happen sometimes and may be short notice. The Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge consists of 30,000 acres of wilderness. Evidence suggests that the ancient people who lived at Chaco watched the sun, moon, and stars too. How to use stargazing in a sentence. Our kiddo was so impressed that we were able to view so many different types of stellar phenomena, and even different galaxies. They also hold dark-sky viewing sessions during Fall, Winter, and Spring, although you should check their website to see the specific dates. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. Located at the heart of the Jemez Mountains in northern New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve is every outdoor lovers dream. 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 The Albuquerque Astronomical Society frequently comes here for its high altitudes and desert environment. 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. Best 10 Stargazing Locations in New Mexico to Camp Near, Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary, night sky viewing area at Capulin Volcano, Hyde Memorial State Park RV Park and Campground. The rocks are the result of a volcanic eruption 34.9 million years ago. Thanks to its oasis-like water source, El Morro became a popular resting place for travelers who left their marks. 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