Soak Up Our Nightlife: Star Party | COME TO LIFE Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Align your visit with a moonless night to observe millions of stars thanks to the park’s high elevation and low light pollution. Gunnison The town is a base for access to dark areas such as Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. La Veta The Southern Colorado Astronomical Park offers several ways to stargaze. Geological formations and dark skies make it a favored spot for photographers. Crestone For a mystical experience, head north to Crestone, which has become a spiritual haven in recent years. Several in-town spots make for excellent star seeing. Westcliffe & Silver Cliff Between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Wet Mountains, these towns’ latitudes make for dramatic views. Visit the Smokey Jack Observatory in Bluff Park to experience some of the most powerful telescopes in the world. Cuchara Farther south on CO 12 is Cuchara, a charming mountain village with gorgeous views and multiple places to spend the night staring at the skies. Creede Surrounded by 900 square miles of Western wilderness and open sky, drives like Pool Table Road and the Bachelor Loop Historic Tour have excellent viewing. Nucla, Naturita & Norwood These towns embody a Colorado postcard — a slow-paced life amid dramatic red-rock wilderness. Start at Naturita Town Park, Miramonte Reservoir and Hanging Flume Overlook. Lake City Located in the most remote county in the lower 48 states, Lake City is the ideal place for watching the night sky and leaving civilization behind. Ridgway WANT MORE? Colorado.com/ Stargazing C2 PHOTOGRAPHY. The entire area offers outstanding viewing of the celestial theater, but Chipeta Solar Springs Resort, Orvis Hot Springs, Basecamp 550 and Double G Ranch & Lodge are great places to stay and enjoy stargazing. COLORADO . COM 81
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2023: Page 81
