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Fort Union National Monument
Dark Sky Parks

Fort Union National Monument

Watrous, New MexicoBortle 2 Best in Fall

Truly dark sky, with the zodiacal light clearly visible.

Fort Union preserves the largest 19th-century military fort ruins in the American Southwest, set on the open plains of northeastern New Mexico along the original Santa Fe Trail. The monument is certified by DarkSky International. The flat plains terrain gives wide horizon views, and the standing adobe walls and chimneys of the fort ruins take on a different character under a dark sky. It is one of the less-visited certified sites in the state.

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