Cheyenne
Stargazing Guide.
Discover why the Cheyenne area serves as a strategic corridor for WY observers. We combine community-vetted spots like Horsetooth Mtn Open Space with professional NPS sky reports at Soapstone for a complete astronomical perspective.
Stargazing Logistics for Cheyenne
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Horsetooth Mtn Open Space. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~40.7 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Soapstone as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Cheyenne Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Cheyenne offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Cheyenne is positioned in a strategic 'Starlight Corridor.' It is far enough from the WY metro glare to allow for deep-sky imaging, yet serves as a convenient staging area for the deeper Class 4 skies found at Soapstone.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Cheyenne
Observation in Cheyenne is most rewarding during the Summer months. During this time, the colder air masses over the Mountain region often result in significantly higher transparency, allowing you to see objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or Orion Nebula with much more definition.
Expert Tips for Cheyenne Observers
If you're visiting Horsetooth Mtn Open Space, bring a pack of chemical hand-warmers and rubber-band them to your eyepiece or camera lens. This acts as a 'budget' dew heater, which is essential for the humid nights often found in WY during the peak viewing seasons. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Soapstone (20.0 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Cheyenne
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Cheyenne spots to preserve your night vision.
Horsetooth Mtn Open Space
" Cheyenne observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. 'Dress for temperatures ~20F colder than forecast low for the night. If you need a flashlight, please cover it with red cellophane.' "
Primrose
" Practically in Cheyenne's backyard, we recommend this for spontaneous nights. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
Fossil Creek Reservoir
" For the dedicated Cheyenne observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. 'Dress for temperatures ~20F colder than forecast low for the night. If you need a flashlight, please cover it with red cellophane.' "
Lory SP
" Heading out from Cheyenne toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
Lvld Prairie Ridge
" For the dedicated Cheyenne observer, this spot offers a superior escape from light pollution. Atmospheric Tip: Scintillation (star twinkling) is a sign of high-altitude turbulence. If stars are twinkling heavily, stick to low-magnification wide views. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Cheyenne
Rural conditions near Cheyenne provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Cheyenne
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Discover which telescopes can best cut through the remaining regional skyglow to see these scientific targets by viewing our gear recommendations.
Soapstone
Fort Collins Natural Area
Local Relevance
For observers in Cheyenne, Soapstone serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Night was clear initially with good transparency and fair seeing. Clouds developed over Cheyanne as equipment was set up. During first set clouds increased in a line from north to south. Line of clouds shifted east, but a bank of clouds remianed over the Fort Collins light dome, illuminated. Prior to clouds, the Milky Way was visivle as a complete arc washed out only in the Cheyanne lightdome about 5 degrees above the north horizon. Sagittarius star cloud was still visible over the Fort Collins light dome, although details like the Prancing Horse were difficult to see. Overhead M13 was easily visible naked eye, as was M31. SQM of 31.33; SQM-L 21.21 at Zenith at 0045."
Soapstone Prairie
Fort Collins Natural Area
Local Relevance
For observers in Cheyenne, Soapstone Prairie serves as the definitive baseline for high-altitude transparency and localized skyglow data.
"Seeing fair, transparency fair, NELM in Hercules/Draco, glare sources many, including white strobes on a tower definitely brighter than Jupiter, nearby 3 or 4 constant sources brighter than Jupiter, plus several dozen sources fainter than Jupiter in distance, including pulsing red tower lights of radio station near Fort Collins and wind farm near Cheyenne. Two bright large light domes observed, one from Cheyenne brightest, much brighter than Venus, perhaps thin crescent moon brightness, casts shadows, damages night vision, extending nearly to zenith early, to 60 degrees above horizon late, at least 45 degrees wide. Fort Collins/Denver extends to 45 degrees above horizon early, 35 late, fainter than Cheyenne, just as broad, appears redder. Zone of uniform darkness observed about 60 degrees in diameter, offset from zenith to southwest. Milky Way detail quite good especially late overhead, but Sagittarius star cloud much diminished by Ft. Collins glow, and disappears below that to the south. Late, through Cassiopeia is invisible because of Cheyenne, but Cygnus area relatively unaffected. Several small light domes seen in addition but fainter than Jupiter and extend no higher than 10 degrees above the horizon. Airglow only seen to the southwest and west because of haze and bright light domes, seemed moderate or low."
Dark Sky Oasis near Cheyenne
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Certified dark skies like these are most rewarding when paired with the right aperture. Check out our suggested kit for Cheyenne observers.
Jackson Lake State Park
As one of the closest certified environments to Cheyenne, Jackson Lake State Park offers a rare window into the true depth of the Milky Way.
Jackson Lake State Park 26363 Count Rd 3 Orchard, CO 80649
Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
The protected skies at Town of Breckenridge, Colorado represent a vital astronomical asset for the Cheyenne observing community.
150 Ski Hill Rd Breckenridge, CO 80424
Astronomy Clubs for Cheyenne
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Don't show up to the club dark-site empty-handed. View the field kit we've curated for the The Forest Observer profile.
Gearing Up for Cheyenne Nights
"The transition from the Cheyenne skyglow to these mid-range sites is significant. A simple red-light headlamp is your most important accessory here to navigate safely without ruining your hard-won night vision."
The Cheyenne Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Cheyenne requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With Horsetooth Mtn Open Space sitting at a ~41-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.