Colorado Stargazing

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The Gunnison Valley’s location in the mountains makes it optimal for Colorado stargazing. Low light pollution, millions of acres of public lands and small populations create great conditions to see the night sky in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Constellations, planets and the Milky Way are visible on clear nights. Keep reading for Colorado stargazing tips and the best places to view the night sky in the Gunnison Valley.

Why stargaze in the Gunnison Valley?

The Gunnison Valley provides much better visibility for Colorado stargazing than cities like Denver and Colorado Springs. Over two million acres of Gunnison County is public land, which helps keep light pollution low. Whether you’re just looking at the night sky from the porch of your vacation rental or a remote spot in the backcountry, the view will be stunning.

When is the best time of year to Colorado stargaze?

Cooler months such as fall and winter are the best times of year to stargaze in Colorado. This is when the skies tend to be most clear. Colorado’s high altitude, low air pressure and dry air create excellent atmospheric transparency. Atmospheric transparency measures how much light from space can pass through the atmosphere. Colder air causes better atmospheric transparency than warm air.

northern lights crested butte
The aurora borealis in Crested Butte

Best places to stargaze in Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is 65 miles west of Gunnison on Highway 50. This Colorado National Park is distinct because of the marbled, steep and narrow canyon walls that frame the Gunnison River. The park visitor center is located on the South Rim, which is the side of the canyon closest to Gunnison. The park’s remote location far from cities and towns makes it a top-notch stargazing spot.

International Dark Sky Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park. To earn this designation, parks must prioritize preserving the night sky. This includes using light pollution-conscious outdoor lighting, offering nighttime public access, and providing education and resources about the night sky. Education is a big part of this certification, so the park has a robust calendar of astronomy programs throughout the summer and fall.

Black Canyon National Park astronomy programs

Park rangers, volunteers and members of the Black Canyon Astronomical Society provide astronomy programs at the Black Canyon. All programs are included with the park entrance fee. Programs include daytime telescope viewing, astronomy talks, constellation tours and nighttime telescope viewing. Black Canyon also has a Junior Ranger Night Explorer program. Stop into the visitor center for a Junior Ranger booklet.

colorado stargazing
Photo credit: David Clayton

Where to Colorado Stargaze in the Black Canyon?

The North and South Rims and East Portal all provide stargazing spots in the Black Canyon. The North Rim usually sees fewer visitors and is a prime place for stargazing. The South Rim has 12 overlooks that are accessible by car.  Overlooks further away from the road and the light of headlights will provide the best visibility. You can also stargaze at East Portal, but you will not be able to see as much of the sky since it’s at the bottom of the canyon.

Best places to stargaze in the park:
  • Chasm View Overlook (South Rim)
  • Dragon Point Overlook (South Rim)
  • Sunset View Overlook (South Rim)
  • Chasm View Nature Trail (North Rim)
  • Kneeling Camel Overlook (North Rim)

When to Colorado stargaze in the Black Canyon?

The best time to stargaze at the Black Canyon is during the new moon phase and nights when the moon rises late. Click here to check sunset and moonrise times, and phases of the moon at Black Canyon.

Can you see the Milky Way at Black Canyon?

The Milky Way is most visible at Black Canyon in the summer. The Earth’s position in the summer is such that Black Canyon faces the center of the galaxy in the summer.

AstroFest

AstroFest is an annual festival dedicated to preserving the night sky along the Gunnison River corridor. Events are held at Black Canyon National Park, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area and Curecanti National Recreation Area. AstroFest features events such as stargazing, daytime astronomy, nocturnal wildlife talks, constellation mapping and more. AstroFest events are free, but attendees must pay park entrance fees.

Winter stargazing in the Black Canyon

South Rim Road is closed to vehicle traffic past the visitor center in the winter. The road is sometimes groomed for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Check the park’s current conditions page to check snow depth and grooming status. The park is open all night. Enjoy the glory of the full moon on a nighttime ski or see the stars during a new moon.

Curecanti Star Fest
Photo credit: David Clayton

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area is also an International Dark Sky Park. This is one of the best places for Colorado stargazing in Gunnison. Curecanti National Recreation Area is comprised of three alpine reservoirs, including Blue Mesa Reservoir. Overlooks and campgrounds further away from the road are the best places to stargaze. Park rangers also run astronomy and telescope viewing programs at the Elk Creek Campground amphitheater.

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area

Hartman Rocks is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Gunnison. This recreation area is made up of 8,000 acres of public land. This open space provides expansive views of the night sky. The views from even the parking lot are stunning, but they get better the further away you get from the main road. This desert scape is characterized by rolling fields of sagebrush and otherworldly sandstone rock formations.

crested butte mountain resort stargazing
Lupine wildflowers under Paradise Divide lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Best places to stargaze in Crested Butte

Crested Butte is a small town with little light pollution. This makes it easy to see the night sky right from town. However, the further you venture into the mountains and trails around town, the better the views will be.

Places to stargaze in Crested Butte

  • Kebler Pass
  • Snodgrass Trailhead
  • Brush Creek Road
  • Gothic Road
  • Paradise Divide

 

Stargazing programs in the Gunnison Valley

Gunnison Valley Observatory

The Gunnison Valley Observatory is a museum in Gunnison near Hartman Rocks. The observatory is open in the summer from mid-June to August. Stop by on Friday and Saturday summer nights for public viewing through telescopes in the observatory dome. A dome tour ticket can be purchased for the 30” telescope in the dome. The observatory also offers astronomy talks and astrophotography instructions.

gunnison valley observatory
The Gunnison Valley Observatory

Crested Butte Nordic Center stargazing tours

The Crested Butte Nordic Center offers stargazing tours based on the phases of the moon. Tours include snowshoe rentals and a guide.

Full moon skis in Gunnison

The full moon reflecting off snow is a magical sight. The Gunnison Nordic Club hosts group moonlight skis in Gunnison throughout the winter.

Library programs

Check the library calendar for events such as astronomy talks and full moon skis. Both libraries also have telescopes available for checkout.

crested butte stargazing
Dusk in Crested Butte

Colorado stargazing tips

The best time to stargaze is on clear nights during the new moon or when the moon rises late. Checking sunrise and moonrise times can help you plan the most advantageous times to stargaze. Temperatures dip at night even in summer, so wear warm layers. Bring a headlamp or flashlight with a red light setting to preserve night vision. If you’re going on a stargazing hike, plan your route ahead of time and always bring a map.

Many stars are visible to the naked eye on clear nights, but a telescope or binoculars will allow you to see even more. Bring a chair or blanket, so you have a comfortable place to view the sky from while Colorado stargazing.

Bring a star map or download an app that can tell you the names and positions of planets and constellations. Apps like Stellarium can help you understand the night sky better and locate celestial bodies.

 

Things to do in the Gunnison Valley

Go on a hike or mountain bike ride before an evening of stargazing in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Discover these activities and other things to do on a trip to the Gunnison Valley. Plan trip logistics such as lodging, flights, places to eat and more with our trip planning guide.

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