Colorado Stargazing Trail

The Colorado Tourism Office highlights Curecanti's three reservoirs and the mountains and mesas that shield views from surrounding light. Its trail page points to summer evening programs at Elk Creek Campground and recommends the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir and viewpoints west of Blue Mesa Dam along Highway 92.[2]

National Park Service

“The park does not close and allows for night sky viewing at all hours.”[3]

NPS recommends overlooks and campgrounds away from roads to reduce passing-car light, and says astronomy and telescope-viewing programs are offered in summer. Elk Creek Campground amphitheater is the usual ranger-program location; current offerings should be checked on the park calendar. NPS also recommends planning around moon phase and using red light to preserve night vision.[3]

Sources

  1. [1]

    Photo: NPS/Kat Connelly — Curecanti National Recreation Area, Stargazing

  2. [2]

    Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado Stargazing Trail™ — colorado.com/colorado-stargazing-trail

  3. [3]

    National Park Service, Stargazing — nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm