Pueblo.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Pueblo, CO. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Pueblo
- Top Community Pick: Cheyenne Mountain State Park (~34.1 miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 3.0 at Overflow Parking
- Local Experts: Southern Colorado Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots
If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Pueblo, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at Cheyenne Mountain State Park for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Overflow Parking provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 3.0. Atmospheric stability in the Pueblo region is often influenced by local topography, which can help settle the air for high-magnification viewing.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Pueblo
For the best results in Pueblo, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.
Expert Tips for Pueblo Observers
When visiting Cheyenne Mountain State Park, remember to check if the gates close at sunset or if a night-use permit is required. A medium-aperture telescope is ideal for resolving the rings of Saturn and bright star clusters the site. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Colorado Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Garden of The Gods
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Mueller State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Lake Pueblo Visitors Center
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
Florissant Fossil Beds
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Overflow Parking
Florissant Fossil Beds NM
"Snowing at 6:00 pm but cleared out nicely by 9:00 pm. Very cold temps (27°) at start time and light winds. Transparency was excellent. The light dome of the greater Denver area easily visible to the NNE up to about 25° above horizon. Colorado Springs visible to the east and maybe a little brighter than Denver and light dome visible to the naked eye to almost 30°. The Milky Way rose later in the evening and the Prancing Horse was visible, though not vivid in detail, as the light dome of Colorado Springs was impacting that part of the sky. Naked eye limiting magnitude of 6.8 in the Big Dipper , which was near the zenith. Excellent night sky and great location for viewing and telescopes shielded from the highway. SQM reading of 21.67"
Alpine Camp
Great Sand Dunes NP&P
"A beautiful evening with perfectly clear skies. Cold temps and high humidity with heavy frost by 3:00 am. The Milky Way was visible to 10° above the western horizon (where almost all of the lights of the San Luis Valley reside), and down into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Very good detail throughout the Milky Way. M31 easily visble to the naked eye. Alamosa light dome prominent to the SSW and hundres of individual lights from homes scattered at the base of Crestone Peak (sub-division all around community of Crestone). Airglow was strong, especially to the north and east. Zodiacal light difficult to see. Bright light coming from the direction of Oasis Lodge near GRSA entrance."
International Dark Sky Parks
Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Colorado
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff are the only two incorporated settlements in the Wet Mountain Valley of southern-central Colorado. The combined total population of…
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a 2,427-hectare IUCN Category V (International Union for Conservation of Nature) area in Colorado, U.S.
Local Astronomy Clubs
Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.