Colorado is well-known for its many daytime adventures—like hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing. But, in many destinations across the state, half the fun is after dark.
Thanks to their higher elevation, dry air and lack of light pollution, several Colorado communities offer stellar stargazing. And people are starting to take notice: Colorado is now home to an array of certified International Dark Sky Places, an official designation that recognizes their inky-black night skies.
Want to plan a stargazing-themed road trip this summer? These are a few of the best spots around the state to stay up late and marvel at the cosmos.
Westcliff and Silver Cliff
Head to south-central Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley and you’ll find Westcliff and Silver Cliff, two tiny towns that together were designated a Dark Sky Community in 2015.
Flanked by the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the west and the Wet Mountains to the east, this region was once a densely populated mining hub. Today, farming and ranching reign supreme, and the population is sparse—a little more than 1,000 people live here—but the stargazing is fantastic. The surrounding mountain ranges help block the “skyglow” from nearby Colorado Springs, and the rural setting means there isn’t much artificial lighting to begin with.
Be sure to visit the Smokey Jack Observatory, which has a retractable roof and a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with computer-guided pointing and tracking technology. This small building may look humble, but it hosts memorable “star parties” throughout the year. While you’re there, check out the Planet Walk, a 4 billion-to-1, true-to-scale recreation of the solar system that you can wander through to get a sense of just how small we really are.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Home to the tallest dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve might as well be another planet. This destination in southern Colorado is well-known for its epic sandboarding opportunities—gliding down the dunes on special sandboards or sleds—but it’s also a hidden gem for stargazing.
In 2019, the park was certified as an International Dark Sky Park, thanks to its crystal-clear skies and complete lack of outdoor lighting. It’s open 24 hours a day, so plan your trip late at night or early in the morning for a chance to spot the Milky Way—just be sure to bring layers, because even during the summer, nights can be chilly.
While you’re there, keep an eye out—and an ear out—for the park’s many nighttime creatures, like toads, owls, coyotes, camel crickets, kangaroo rats and more.
Crestone
Crestone is well-known for being a spiritual and religious hub. But, since 2021, this tiny village in southern Colorado has also been recognized as an International Dark Sky Community. Situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, this former mining town has been protecting its inky-black night skies for decades.
While you’re here, visit the Baca National Wildlife Refuge, a 93,000-acre swath of protected land that serves as a haven for wildlife and migratory birds in the northern San Luis Valley. Snag a campsite at the North Crestone Creek Campground (available on a first come, first served basis) so you can sleep under the stars.
Ridgway
Nestled against the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, Ridgway was designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2020. This small town, home to just 1,200 residents, is also home to an International Dark Sky Park: Top of the Pines, a 175-acre recreation area just west of town, earned its certification in 2021. On a moonless night, you might be able to see the Milky Way or several meteors shooting across the sky.
Book a room at the Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa and head to the rooftop bar just before sunset to watch the stars come out. Or, pop a tent at Orvis Hot Springs and enjoy 24-hour access to the natural hot springs—perfect for staying warm and toasty while you admire the cosmos.
Lake City
Lake City is remote—like, really remote. It’s the only town in the entire 1,123-square-mile Hinsdale County, which is itself the most remote area in the lower 48. And since 96.5 percent of the county is public land, there’s almost no light pollution to speak of.
In 2020, the region’s Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center was designated an International Dark Sky Park. This undeveloped, 58-acre property has a trail network, as well as a campground and a 30-foot yurt. Other top spots to view the cosmos include Windy Point Observation Site (which is equally beautiful during daylight hours) and Wupperman Campground on the east side of Lake San Cristobal.
On your way to or from Lake City, give yourself extra time so you can drive some or all of the Alpine Loop Scenic & Historic Byway. During the summer, this gorgeous route includes meadows full of wildflowers.
Paonia
Best-known for its luscious fruit orchards and vineyards, Paonia became one of Colorado’s newest International Dark Sky Communities when it earned the certification in 2024. This rural town in Delta County is home to roughly 1,500 residents, who often have a front-row seat to the Milky Way, the planets, the stars and meteor showers.
Paonia is also surrounded by public lands—including Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, which are all certified as International Dark Sky Parks in their own right. You’ll find lots of places to sleep under the stars in this region, but a particularly special place to camp is Big B’s Delicious Orchards, where you can pitch your tent right in the orchard.
Mesa Verde National Park
Tucked in Colorado’s far southwest corner, Mesa Verde National Park is way off the beaten path—but definitely worth the roadtrip. This 52,000-acre area became an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, but humans have been admiring its night sky for millennia.
During the day, you can explore the cliff dwellings that were inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people roughly 1,000 years ago. (In total, Mesa Verde is home to more than 5,000 protected archaeological sites.) At night, pitch a tent or park your RV at Morefield Campground so you can stay up late to appreciate the darkness.
