The Pinery.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in The Pinery, CO. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for The Pinery
- Top Community Pick: Castlewood Canyon State Park (~3.8 miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 3.0 at Overflow Parking
- Local Experts: Denver Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 5 distinct spots
Searching for a clear window into the cosmos near The Pinery, CO? While enthusiasts often gather at Castlewood Canyon 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. The local landscape of The Pinery offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.
The Best Times for Stargazing in The Pinery
For the best results in The Pinery, 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 The Pinery Observers
When visiting Castlewood Canyon State Park, remember to check if the gates close at sunset or if a night-use permit is required. Binoculars are a favorite for regulars this location for sweeping views of the Moon’s craters and larger constellations. 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.
Castlewood Canyon State Park
" Standard Advice: Dress in layers as temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Use a red-light flashlight to preserve your night vision. "
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. "
Mueller 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. "
Chamberlin Observatory
" 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"
Coyote Ridge
Fort Collins Natural Area
"Resolution Testing. 3 data sets collected in order to determine vertical and horizontal illuminance"
International Dark Sky Parks
Premier locations certified for their exceptional dark sky quality and commitment to light pollution mitigation.
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.
Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
The Town of Breckenridge sits at 9,603 feet above sea level in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, just west of the Continental Divide…
Local Astronomy Clubs
Connect with experts and fellow enthusiasts through local astronomical societies and community groups.