Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Pristine sky, where the Milky Way casts shadows on the ground.
Cosmic Campground was the first designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Northern Hemisphere, a distinction it earned from DarkSky International in 2014. Located in the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico, the site was specifically designed for astronomy. There are no hookups, no facilities, and no light sources within miles. What there is: a Bortle 1 sky, a dedicated observing pad, and complete silence. It is as pure a dark sky camping experience as exists in the United States.
What's here
On the map
What to bring
Our picks for a good night under the stars.
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Nearby in New Mexico
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Gold Tier cinder cone with 360-degree rim views over the high plains.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Gold Tier dark sky park and UNESCO site with archaeoastronomical great houses.
Clayton Lake State Park
Bortle 1 high plains park with a dedicated dark sky observing area.