Thanks to its high altitude, low humidity, and concentration of wilderness areas, Colorado boasts some of the best stargazing in the country.
Whether you’re looking for a spot close to Denver or you’re willing to take a road trip into the most remote parts of the state, you’re sure to find an incredible place to spend a night marveling at the seemingly infinite world above us.
There are so many great spots that it might be hard to choose — which is why we put together this list of the best stargazing Colorado has based on distance from Denver and times of year to visit. As a bonus, we also compiled a list of the state’s International Dark Sky Communities — places that go the extra mile to ensure unparalleled views of the stars.
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The Best Stargazing Colorado Has to Offer within Two Hours of Denver
Echo Lake Park
- Driving distance from Denver: One hour
- Best time to visit: May through October for clear skies and nice weather
This lake near Mount Blue Sky has some of the best star gazing in Colorado — and as a bonus, it’s not particularly far from Denver. If you can, snag a spot at Echo Lake Campground. Then, when it gets dark, take a short walk to its namesake lake, where you can catch unparalleled views of the stars — and even the Milky Way — unobstructed by light pollution and humidity. You’re high up, so be sure to bring lots of layers.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
- Driving distance from Denver: 45 minutes
- Best time to visit: Fall and winter for clearer air
Located up Golden Gate Canyon high in the foothills, this state park near Denver happens to have some of the most convenient stargazing in Colorado. We recommend posting up at Panorama Point Scenic Overlook around sunset to bask in amazing daylight scenery, then hanging around until nightfall to see unobstructed views of the Colorado night sky. Bring your coziest camp chair, a telescope if you have it, and the Night Sky app for an evening you won’t soon forget.
Jackson Lake State Park
- Driving distance from Denver: One hour and 20 minutes
- Best time to visit: During the summer, so you can enjoy all the other fun activities at Jackson Lake
This International Dark Sky Park, located northeast of Denver, is known for both its sandy beaches and its stunning views of the stars. Thanks to its distance far away from major cities, it’s relatively devoid of light pollution, making it one of the best places to view Colorado’s night sky. A bonus? It has a pretty nice campground for both tent and RV camping.
Rocky Mountain National Park
- Driving distance from Denver: An hour and a half
- Best time to visit: Late summer and early autumn, when the Milky Way is most visible
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places for enjoying nature in the country, so it makes sense it would also have some of the best views of the night sky in Colorado. Stop by the east side of the park throughout the summer for ranger-led programs looking into the constellations and the Milky Way. Volunteers will even help you get a better look through telescopes.
The Best Stargazing in Colorado within Four Hours of Denver
Browns Canyon National Monument
- Driving distance from Denver: Two hours and 20 minutes
- Best time to visit: May to November
This national monument near Buena Vista is the only official Dark Sky Park east of the Continental Divide that’s not part of the National Park System. It also happens to have absolutely incredible views of the night sky thanks to its distance from light pollution, high elevation, and relative lack of humidity. We recommend snagging a spot at one of the campsites along the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, bringing your telescope, and spending an unforgettable night looking up.
Pawnee National Grassland
- Driving distance from Denver: Two hours and five minutes
- Best time to visit: Summer and early fall
This article has focused a lot on Colorado’s high country, but don’t sleep on the views of the stars in Colorado’s Eastern Plains. Pawnee National Grassland, located in the northeast corner of the state, is far enough from population centers to have low light pollution, and since it’s still high up, there’s also low humidity. This makes for gorgeous stargazing — especially over its famous butte formations. Be sure to snag one of the many cool campsites for the most comfortable viewing experience.
Twin Lakes
- Driving distance from Denver: Two hours and 20 minutes
- Best time to visit: The summer and early fall for the most comfortable nighttime weather
Given its vantage point some 10,000 feet above sea level, it makes sense why Twin Lakes has some of the top stargazing in Colorado. Upon arrival, make sure you slip into the trees in the surrounding National Forests or along the shoreline just out of sight of Highway 82 and look up for epic views of the Milky Way and constellations. The town even hosts special sky-viewing programs throughout the summer.
The Best Places to Stargaze in Colorado More Than Four Hours from Denver
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Driving distance from Denver: Four hours and 45 minutes
- Best time to visit: During the new moon phase or when the moon rises late in the night
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park for a decade, and there’s a good reason: It boasts some of the best stargazing in Colorado, thanks to its high-altitude location (far from light pollution) and low humidity, which offer the perfect conditions for enjoying the cosmos. If you’re driving through, the park recommends posting up at one of the overlooks farther away from the roads, including Chasm View, Dragon Point, and Kneeling Camel. During the summer, you can even catch a special program from the Black Canyon Astronomical Society.
Chimney Rock National Monument
- Driving distance from Denver: Five hours and 20 minutes
- Best time to visit: Over the summer for the most comfortable nighttime temperatures
This national monument, located outside of Pagosa Springs, is one of the best places to bask in the Colorado night sky. Be sure to come during the full moon, when the namesake Chimney Rock is fully illuminated, and stick around for unique views of the constellations and Milky Way. The Chimney Rock Interpretive Association hosts special nighttime events throughout the year for amateur astronomers to become more acquainted with stargazing in Colorado.
Creede
- Driving distance from Denver: Four and a half hours
- Best time to visit: Over the summer and early fall for easy access and more comfortable nighttime temperatures
Whenever given the opportunity, visit this epic San Juan community with arms wide open, especially if the Colorado night sky is involved. The biggest question to ask when it comes to stargazing is, “Can you take me higher?,” and at 8,800 feet, the elevation is perfect for epic views of the milky way, meteor showers, and the full moon. The town’s Chamber of Commerce recommends either driving the 17-mile Bachelor Loop Historic Loop for views of the night sky over the nearby mountains or hiking to Love Lake for the ultimate light pollution-free experience. No matter what, you’ll see why this is one of the best places to stargaze in Colorado.
Mesa Verde National Park
- Driving distance from Denver: Seven hours and 10 minutes
- Best time to visit: May through October
The ancestral Puebloans who made Mesa Verde home some 1,000 years ago likely experienced a night sky very similar to the one you’ll see from the park today. That’s thanks to the fact this unique part of Colorado is far away from many population centers, and that lack of light pollution contributes to some of the best stargazing in Colorado. You will have to plan ahead; the park’s trails, ruins, and backcountry are closed at night, which means you’ll either need to snag a camping spot or simply enjoy the stars along one of the many pull-offs on the roads that wind through Mesa Verde.
Ultimate Stargazing: Dark Sky Colorado Designated Communities
In addition to being home to numerous state and national parks that Dark Sky International has recognized, multiple Colorado communities have received special designations for their views of the cosmos.
Here’s a roundup of the six certified communities that have gone the extra mile to ensure the best views of the night sky as possible.
Crestone
- Driving distance from Denver: Three and a half hours
- Best time to visit: Between November and April
Situated in the San Luis Valley, this unique community might be the ultimate spiritual place to watch the stars. Numerous faiths have outposts here for people to connect with higher powers, and regardless of what you believe, it’s hard not to find something special about this community. The night sky is particularly incredible thanks to Crestone’s high elevation, low humidity, and distance from any population centers. Be sure to check out CrestDomes for some unique stargazing glamping.
Norwood
- Driving distance from Denver: Six hours
- Best time to visit: Late summer and early fall, when the Milky Way is highest over Colorado
In much of the world, light pollution makes it impossible to see the Milky Way, but in Norwood, you can see it year-round. That’s partially thanks to the community’s astronomers, who advocate for ensuring nights are as dark as possible year-round. Their efforts have paid off: Norwood was Colorado’s second designated International Dark Sky Community, and thanks to its location at 7,000 feet in southwestern Colorado’s high desert, it’s the perfect place to spend the evening indulging in the cosmos.
Nucla and Naturita
- Driving distance from Denver: Five hours and 45 minutes
- Best time to visit: Summer nights for a more comfortable stargazing experience
This tiny community right off the Dolores River is one of the best places to see the dark sky in Colorado. Given its spot in a canyon far away from any light pollution, it’s a perfect place for glimpses of innumerable constellations and the Milky Way itself. The Dolores River canyon also has some of the best stargazing camping in Colorado, including spots like CampV.
Paonia
- Driving distance from Denver: Four hours and five minutes
- Best time to visit: Summer and fall, so you can enjoy orchard season along with your stargazing
Paonia only became an International Dark Sky Community a few years ago, and the community takes the designation very seriously. There are numerous ordinances aimed at reducing light pollution, and its website even features petitions for removing streetlights. Needless to say, this community offers absolutely stunning views of the night sky — especially from its vantage point on Colorado’s Grand Mesa. A bonus? There’s a lot to do when it’s light out, too. Definitely come during the summer to try some of the community’s famous freshly grown cherries and sample some cheese at Western Culture Farmstead and Dairy.
Ridgway
- Driving distance from Denver: Five hours and 15 minutes
- Best time to visit: Late summer for warmer temperatures and clearer skies
This community in the San Juans offers unparalleled views of the night skies — and it even brags about the fact you can see four to eight meteors per hour when it’s clear. The views are excellent in the town itself, but for a world-class experience, head over to nearby Top of the Pines, which has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff
- Driving distance from Denver: Two hours and 40 minutes
- Best time to visit: This spot is high up, so late summer and early fall are best
During the day, the Wet Mountain Valley offers some of the most unique scenery in Colorado thanks to its views of its namesake range to the east and the truly spectacular Sangre de Cristos to the West. But at night, this gorgeous corner of the state shines — literally. These are two of the highest-altitude International Dark Sky Towns in the world, bringing you even closer to the stars. While your eyes are certainly more than up to the job, you can get an even better view at the Smokey Jack Observatory in Westcliffe.