International Dark Sky Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

In May of 2019 The Great Sand Dunes National Park was designated as a International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. The Great Sand Dunes has been building a reputation for good night sky viewing for quite some time. The dry air, high elevation, lack of light pollution and the intervening Sangre de Cristo Mountains which shelter the park from much of the sky glow created by Colorado’s Front Range cities make the park an ideal dark-sky destination.

Rustic Rook is only 15 miles (as the crow flies) from the park and also an excellent place to view the stars. Many glampers enjoy stargazing right from their tent’s porch. When the moon is full at Rustic Rook glampers hardly even need to use their lanterns at night – it’s a beautiful sight to see – if you are looking to stargaze make sure to plan your trip when the moon is the smallest for best views of the stars.