Colorado's darkest skies and where to camp under them
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - For many Coloradans, the brightest memories are of camping trips under the darkest skies. That's how DarkSky International knows those skies ー indeed dark and unblemished by light pollution, allowing the stars to twinkle in our minds long after the sun rises.
As summer approaches and we make camping plans, here's a guide to the parks in the state deemed worthy of International Dark Sky certification:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
The Dark Sky designation is shared with Curecanti National Recreation Area sprawling beyond the epic, vertical canyon of western Colorado. The camping options are as vast and varied as the landscape of more geologic wonder, reservoirs, forests and shrublands. At Black Canyon, there's the upper North Rim Campground and the lower, quaint East Portal Campground. Several campgrounds are situated off U.S. 50 heading east toward Blue Mesa Reservoir, including sites along the shores of Colorado's biggest body of water that reflects the stars.
Browns Canyon National Monument
Boaters and anglers are well acquainted with this rocky, colorful realm cut by the Arkansas River. For hikers and stargazers, there is much to admire as well. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages reservations at the high-demand Ruby Mountain and Hecla Junction campgrounds. Friends of Browns Canyon also points to dispersed camping at established sites along the rugged, scenic Aspen Ridge Road.
Chimney Rock National Monument
Chimney Rock looms over the San Juan Mountains west of Pagosa Springs ー a landmark that has captivated people for thousands of years. Native people know the formation as sacred, explaining protections and special management through Chimney Rock Interpretive Association. The nonprofit's event calendar includes night sky programming through the summer. Ute Campground is a reservable option in the nearby national forest.
Dinosaur National Monument
The main draw is the Quarry Exhibit Hall displaying more than 1,500 remains of ancient beasts encased in rock. Not to be missed: the remote wilds dominating either side of the northwest Colorado-Utah border, with little to no light blotting out the celestial show. Of the six campgrounds, multiple are accessed by river rafters, by foot or by rough roads known to washout. Permits are free for backcountry camping.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Regularly scheduled "star parties" have transported visitors to an ancient time recalled by the massive, fossilized stumps that were once tall redwoods. Here in Teller County west of Colorado Springs, the stumps are preserved along with the dark sky. While no camping is allowed at the national monument, one might look to the Round Mountain or Happy Meadows campgrounds west in Pike National Forest.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Perhaps no scene in Colorado is as otherworldly as North America's tallest sand dunes, backdropped by the shimmering constellations. And so perhaps it's no wonder Pinon Flats Campground is quick to fill near the base of the dunes. People with sturdy, high-clearance vehicles turn to Medano Pass to see if any of the 21 campsites are available. Or they could book a spot at Zapata Falls Campground, overlooking the mountains and dunes off the road into the park.
Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
Beyond Montrose, Gunnison Gorge Wilderness is tucked deep between steep, untrammeled slopes of a canyon carved by the Gunnison River. The surrounding national conservation area remains largely undeveloped, too ー hence the Dark Sky designation that is felt by ambitious boaters and hikers who pitch a tent here. The only developed campground around is the riverside Cottonwood Grove Campground, with first-come, first-served sites at the end of a rough road.
Hovenweep National Monument
Some 800 years ago, Ancestral Puebloans built the towers and structures that stand here near Colorado's southwest corner. Some 800 years later, people still view the night sky as those ancestors did. They view from a fairly large campground by the visitor center that takes reservations year-round, located across the state line in Utah.
Jackson Lake State Park
Jackson Lake has long been known as an "oasis on the plains," a surprise beach scene east of Greeley. More recently, upon its International Dark Sky certification in 2020, it became known as Colorado's only park with the recognition east of I-25 ー the closest on this list to Denver. Yes, stargazing has joined boating, fishing and swimming as a top draw. The state park reserves 251 campsites for tents and RVs.
Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center
The center is a 58-acre park overseen by Lake Fork Valley Conservancy. The nonprofit promotes dark skies around Lake City and Hinsdale County, which is known as the most remote county in the Lower 48. It's an ideal area to "witness the infinite," as the conservancy invites people to do during the Lake City Star Fest set for June 12-13, or at weekly stargazing events scheduled all summer. As for camping, Wupperman Campground is beside Lake City's namesake Lake San Cristobal, while Williams Creek and Mill Creek campgrounds are options farther afield.
Mesa Verde National Park
From U.S. 160 near Mancos, a road travels long and high over the mesa to homes built by the Ancestral Puebloans. Many come to tour those cliff dwellings, while many others know the national park's abundant trails and other archaeological sites to be worthy of an overnight. The starry sky makes it all the more worthwhile. Morefield Campground encompasses 267 sites for tents and RVs.
Top of the Pines
Near Ridgway, Top of the Pines is part recreation area for hiking, mountain biking and Nordic skiing, part outdoor education center and part event space. And according to DarkSky International, stargazing here "is a magical experience of unparalleled beauty." Top of the Pines reserves nine walk-in campsites.
Starry towns
Along with parks, DarkSky International recognizes eight Dark Sky Communities in Colorado. We list them here, along with a quick tip for camping under the stars:
- Breckenridge: Reservable sites at Peak One, Pine Cove and Heaton Bay campgrounds around Dillon Reservoir.
- Crestone: First come, first served at North Crestone Creek Campground; backcountry camping up Willow Lake Trail, including near lake and waterfall reached after a challenging hike.
- Norwood: The local chamber of commerce lists several options, including Miramonte Reservoir and sites around the Thunder Road trail system south of town.
- Nucla and Naturita: Bureau of Land Management's Rockhouse Ledges and Cottonwood Ledges campgrounds; reservable sites at Uravan Ball Park through Rimrocker Historical Society.
- Old Snowmass: Aspen Snowmass lists several options in the area, including Difficult Campground and Silver Bar, Silver Bell and Silver Queen campgrounds up Maroon Creek Road. More reservable sites at Ruedi Reservoir and Chapman campgrounds farther afield.
- Paonia: First come, first served at Lost Lake Campground; reservable sites at Paonia State Park.
- Ridgway: Array of reservable sites at Ridgway State Park, along with yurts.
- Westcliffe and Silver Cliff: Reservable sites at Alvarado Campground.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:49 AM.