Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley
The organization says Smokey Jack Observatory “houses one of the most powerful telescopes in Colorado.”[2]
For 2026, reserved star parties are open for booking. The organization says these sessions are free, hosted by trained volunteer Star Guides, generally last about two hours and are limited to eight guests total inside the observatory.[2]
There are no walk-in operating hours
Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley states that the observatory has no operating hours and is only open inside during scheduled public events or reservations. Visitors may see the building from Bluff Park at other times, but should not expect access to the telescope or interior.[3]
The 2026 events calendar includes public star parties, solar observations and electronic-assisted viewing, with last-minute changes and cancellations posted by the organization.[3]
Sources
- [1]
Photo: Colorado Tourism Office / Phil Lum — Stargazing in Colorado
- [2]
Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley, Smokey Jack Observatory and Reserve SJO — darkskiescolorado.org/smokey-jack-observatory
- [3]