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Dark Sky Places in New Mexico

8 dark sky places in New Mexico with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Union County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Capulin Volcano National Monument (Bortle 1).

Top dark sky places

Chaco Culture National Historical ParkDark Sky Place
Chaco Culture National Historical ParkSan Juan County
El Morro National MonumentDark Sky Place
El Morro National MonumentCibola County
Salinas Pueblo Missions National MonumentDark Sky Place
Salinas Pueblo Missions National MonumentTorrance County
Capulin Volcano National MonumentDark Sky Place
Capulin Volcano National MonumentUnion County
Fort Union National MonumentDark Sky Place
Fort Union National MonumentMora County
Clayton Lake State ParkDark Sky Place
Clayton Lake State ParkUnion County
Valles Caldera National PreserveDark Sky Place
Valles Caldera National PreserveSandoval County
Cosmic CampgroundDark Sky Place
Cosmic CampgroundCatron County

Map

How to photograph dark sky places

Certified dark sky places offer protected night skies — plan around the new moon and the Milky Way core season.

  • Use the Milky Way table to find months and hours when the core is above the horizon.
  • Use red light only and keep it pointed down to protect others' night vision.
  • Set focus on a bright star with live-view magnification, then tape the focus ring.
  • Use the NPF rule below to choose the longest exposure before stars trail.
  • Many parks host star parties and night programs during summer.

Season: Milky Way core season runs roughly March to October; winter offers long nights and bright winter constellations.