This Year-Round Campground In New Mexico Is The First International Dark Sky Sanctuary In North America
Courtnie Erickson
Author
When you want to capture an incredible view of the night sky in the Land of Enchantment, there are many wide-open spaces you can visit. However, there is one year-round campground that is considered one of the best places to capture magical and enchanting night views — Cosmic Campground in New Mexico. Located just north of Alma, New Mexico, and located off of U.S. Highway 180, this year-round campground in New Mexico is not only where you can go to enjoy a little fresh air, but it is also one of the first international dark sky sanctuaries in North America.
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To learn more about Cosmic Campground in New Mexico, click here. You can also learn more about international dark sky areas by visiting the International Dark-Sky Association.
Have you ever visited this dark sky campground in New Mexico? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments. If you have any pictures of the night sky during your stay, we’d love to see those as well!
New Mexico is home to some pretty incredible sights. In fact, did you know that White Sands National Park was named as one of the best places to view sunsets in the entire country? Check out our article to learn more!
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More to Explore
The Natural Beauty Of New Mexico
What are the most beautiful natural wonders in New Mexico?
New Mexico has some truly otherworldly landscapes to admire. Shiprock, the namesake of the nearby town, is an utterly gorgeous rock structure that juts out from the surrounding landscape. The Navajo refer to it as Winged Rock, and it stands 7,000 feet tall, visible from 50 miles away. Carlsbad Caverns is an expansive cave system consisting of 119 different caves. Carved from sulphuric acid, this massive set of caves is stunning to look at and fun to explore. The alien-looking rock formations in the Bisti Wilderness are an intriguing and fascinating part of the overall De-Na-Zin Wilderness near Four Corners. You might think you’ve been transported to a sci-fi movie or a video game.
What are the most scenic hiking trails in New Mexico?
New Mexico is absolutely filled with beautiful places to enjoy a nice hike. The Cave Creek Trail in the Pecos Wilderness is filled with small caves that are each mysterious and beautiful. The creek itself is soothing and lovely as well. If you want some breathtaking views, the Dripping Springs Trail near Las Cruces will hit the spot. As you walk the trail you’ll see vast vistas of intricate rock formations and little waterfalls. Paliza Canyon near Jemez Springs is riddled with hoodoos, which are strangely shaped rock spires that some refer to as goblins.
What are the most scenic drives in New Mexico?
There is so much beauty to explore in New Mexico and it’s always lovely to take a day trip along the state’s various scenic drives to take it all in. The El Camino Real National Scenic Byway has a lot of historical sites along the way and a landscape that will make you wish you were in the passenger's seat so you could really soak in the views. You'll probably make many photo stops along the way. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is especially gorgeous during the fall, where vast swaths of multicolored trees are a feast for the eyes, especially with how they’re interspersed with evergreens, making a complex palette of colors. It passes through some of the most picturesque towns as well, such as Taos, Questa, and Eagle Nest.