Dark Sky Parks
Chimney Rock National Monument
Chimney Rock, ColoradoBortle 2 Best in Summer
Truly dark sky, with the zodiacal light clearly visible.
Chimney Rock was an archaeoastronomical site for the Ancestral Puebloans, who aligned their structures to celestial events. The monument carries that legacy forward as a certified dark sky park, offering guided night sky programs during the summer season. The twin rock spires make for a dramatic foreground.
What's here
On the map
What to bring
Our picks for a good night under the stars.
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Nearby in Colorado
Bortle 3
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Montrose, Colorado
A natural amphitheater for the night sky with regular ranger-led astronomy programs.
Best in Summer
Bortle 2
Browns Canyon National Monument
Salida, Colorado
Remote Arkansas River canyon pairing dark skies with world-class whitewater.
Best in Summer
Bortle 2
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Gunnison, Colorado
High-altitude reservoir country with minimal light interference.
Best in Summer