Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just a quick evening trip outside the city, there are plenty of spots to catch a starry sky around Denver.
As fall arrives and it starts to get dark earlier, there’s no better way to spend a nice evening with your spouse or your family than under a sky full of stars. Luckily for those living in Colorado, the possibilities for getting a glimpse of a clear, dark sky are endless. Before you head out, be sure to look into the moon phase online, or download an app. If you’re hoping to catch a peek of the Milky Way, we recommend calling up your babysitter or nanny and taking a drive with your partner during a new moon, when there’s more chances of a brighter trail.
We’ve put together a list of 10 great places close enough to Denver to be convenient but still make for an unforgettable night. So pack up the car, put on your coziest clothes, and head out to explore with the entire family. Plus, with this late-night list, maybe the kids will sleep in the next day! (Yeah, right.)
Note: Distances are based on a Google Maps search from Denver city center. Each location has options for parking and checking out the night sky. Be careful if pulling off on the side of a road.
Red Rocks Park
Location: 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 16.3 miles
Located just outside Denver, Red Rocks Park is widely known for having one of the best outdoor music venues in the U.S. Not only can you enjoy music at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, but there are also plenty of opportunities for hiking. One thing you can’t pass up is a late-fall drive to Red Rocks Park in the later evening for a glimpse of the stars. Give your eyes up to 20 minutes to adjust to complete darkness. You may even find yourself staring right into the Milky Way. Note: You can still stargaze from the parking lot, whether the park is open or not. Once the park is closed, you’ll be unable to access the bathrooms inside the venue and the museum in the amphitheatre. The park and its trails open one hour prior to sunrise and close one hour after sunset on days without shows at the amphitheatre.
Lookout Mountain
Location: 987 Lookout Mountain Road, Golden, CO 80401 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 18.5 miles
The road to Lookout Mountain is a frequently traveled gem in Golden, Colorado, that is also a quick stone’s throw away from Denver. During the day, it’s used by those just taking a scenic drive, hikers, or bikers training for another race. At night, the road is mainly filled with cars safely parked in any of the parking lots or pull-offs and all there to get a glimpse of the night sky. Looking away from Golden, the sky will have less light pollution, making the Milky Way that much more visible. Kids will love how twinkly the stars can really seem, and luckily the road has several switchbacks after each turn if you can’t find parking in one of two lots toward the top.
Golden Gate Canyon
Location: 92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden, CO 80403 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 28.7 miles
Not only is Golden Gate Canyon great for hiking and camping, but during the fall it makes a great spot to explore several aspen groves as well as to catch a glimpse of an uninterrupted, star-filled sky. So whether you book a weekend sitter to watch the kids so you and your sweetie can squeeze in an adults-only camping trip or you decide to pile the whole family into the car for the drive, this location should be on your list. Don’t forget to stop at Panorama Point Overlook, located just off the main road on the left hand side if you’re coming from the main entrance, for a truly breathtaking view of the mountains under a starry night’s sky.
Echo Lake
Location: CO-103 & Mt. Evans Road, Evergreen, CO 80439 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 45.2 miles
Located in Evergreen, Colorado, Echo Lake makes for a great scenic drive to an even more scenic sky. Pull up to the lake prepared with a blanket or two and plenty of warm beverages to share. Then, snuggle up with the kids and listen for all the sounds that night brings to a quiet body of water. If you’re feeling up for it, make the trip even farther up the road to Mount Evans, where the views will be pristine with very little light pollution obstruction.
Guanella Pass
Location: Take I-70 west of Denver to Exit 228 in Georgetown, Clear Creek County, CO 80444 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 55.7 miles
Not too far from Denver lies Guanella Pass Road. You’ll switch back and forth for what seems like forever until you reach the Pass, where you can park on the right side of the road. The perk of heading here with the little ones is that there’s a bathroom in the parking lot. Be sure to pack a flashlight if you plan on walking the short trail above the bathrooms. Although it’s a pretty well-kept path, it can be tricky in the dark.
Location: Highway 6 Dillon, CO 80435 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 60 miles
This location for stargazing is a bit on the colder side, but we promise it will be worth braving the chilly winds and snowy landscape to get an eyeful of the endless star-filled sky. Perhaps hiring a sitter for a quick evening road trip to Loveland Pass will be more relaxing than piling the kids into their warmest coats. There are two possible parking lots — one on each side of the road. Pack a warm beverage and a snuggly blanket and enjoy a night alone with your loved one looking at all the mountains and sky have to offer at night.
Garden of the Gods
Location: 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 67.4 miles
Colorado Springs may seem like a long trek after dark just to view the night sky, but seeing the Garden of the Gods at night is a memorable endeavor. Not only do the formations look eerie in the evening, but they’re also somehow even more miraculous under a full sky. This spot is great during a full moon and even better with the kids. Not only will you as an adult be amazed by the formations glowing from the moonlight, but the kids will be too.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Location: 4150 W. County Road 38 E., Fort Collins, Colorado, CO 80526 | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 68.4 miles
There’s nothing quite like spending the day or even the evening by a body of water. Head to Horsetooth Reservoir for an overnight camping trip and wander around a bit to find the ideal water and sky view. After the moon rises, lie down with the kids on a blanket and take in the sky. Maybe even download a stargazing app that can help you navigate the solar system together before going to bed.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517 (general mailing address) | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 68.7 miles
It’s a trek from Denver, we admit, but if you’re not afraid of waking up the kids really early, you can make the drive in no time or plan a camping trip that involves getting to Bear Lake to see the stars in all their glory. Witnessing a full moon at Nymph Lake can be a fun activity, as well, and luckily the partially paved path leading to the lake requires just a flashlight. Be sure to wear proper attire and good hiking shoes. The best part is the park is free after 5 p.m.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Location: 11999 State Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146 (Visitor Center) | Click for Google Map.
Distance: 238 miles
Head to the Great Sand Dunes for a weekend of fun and exploring with the kids. The best times to go are usually early summer or just before fall ends. During May and June, you’ll find that a natural river flows through the base of the dunes, which at night tends to add an extra sparkle to the water from the sky. The stars here are some of the most beautiful views in Colorado, with the open space and endless sky coming together. Take a stroll on the cold sand and lie under the stars. Be sure to be careful, and equip your children with headlamps.
