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Updated: March 1, 2024

Stargazing In Colorado Springs

Spot Orion and Cassiopeia as you're stargazing in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs is known for piercing blue and endless skies during the day. These stunning skies also lend themselves to stellar stargazing opportunities after the sun goes down.

1. Garden Of The Gods Park

This park is located far enough from city lights for a lucid view of the Colorado Springs clear night sky. The snow-capped white summit of Pike’s Peak seems to glow in the dark, set against a backdrop of silhouetted boulders and some of the galaxy’s most beautiful stars. Take in deep breaths of fresh air, lean back, and let the constellations captivate. And when daylight breaks, take in views that are just as gorgeous as they are at night, as the striking red rock formations seem to pierce the blue sky. Learn more

Park hours:
May - October: 5am – 10pm
November - April: 5am – 9pm

For more info on permitting for late-night stargazing, head to GardenOfGods.com/permits

2. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society

This group often holds public stargazing events called “Public Star Parties.” CSAS club members set up their telescopes to allow attendees to view objects such as planets, galaxies, nebulas, star clusters and more. Join the CSAS and take a look into the constellations of Orion and Sirius. Reservations are not needed, all ages are welcome. Learn more

Matt Payne Photography

3. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

This is an excellent place to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Recently named the world’s newest International Dark Sky Park, Florissant Fossil Beds is easily accessible yet far enough away from light pollution to provide dark, star-filled skies; perfect for stargazing. From the park, it is possible to see the Milky Way, other galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, planets, comets, and much more. If you want to view the stars from INSIDE the park, sign up for one of their Night Sky programs. Be sure to plan ahead! Night Sky programs within the park only happen on certain days and require a pass. Learn more

Park Hours: 9am–4:30pm

The best viewing spot if you are coming on your own, after hours, is the parking lot of the Hornbek Homestead which is located within the Monument off of Teller County Road 1.

Shell Bieker

4. Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan

This park is far enough east of Colorado Springs to capture shooting stars and constellations. View the planets behind rock formations known as "hoodoos" and enjoy this serene geological gem. Learn more

Please Note: Park hours are from dawn to dusk, the Paint Mines is closed at night, but a permit is available for those that want to take photographs at night. Please visit El Paso County Parks for more information

Help do your part in protecting this delicate landscape:

  1. Stay on designated trails at all times.
  2. Climbing and/or scrambling on Paint Mine formations is prohibited.
  3. Entering the Paint Mine formations is prohibited.
  4. Drone use on El Paso County Park Property is prohibited.
Paint Mines Milky May
Brad Mcginley

Please respect each of the location's opening and closing times

Discover the science behind the stars:

Space Foundation Discovery Center is Pikes Peak region's first and only space, science and technology attraction. The Discovery Center features the El Pomar Space Gallery, displaying Space Foundation's wide variety of space artifacts and exhibits. The Discovery Center is also home to our Lockheed Martin Space Education Center which features the Mars Robotics Laboratory and AGI Space Mission Simulation Laboratory and the Northrop Grumman Science Center, featuring Science On a Sphere®. Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Science On a Sphere is the world's first dynamic spherical projection system, using special software, satellite imagery and four projectors to render images onto the global surface that provide dramatic, full-motion views of the Earth, Sun, moons and planets in space.

See and experience exhibits and interactive displays of our solar system, planets, space missions, weather, geography and more. Visit our website for special events, details, hours and pricing.

Please note that the Space Foundation Discovery Center will be closed for renovations starting November 2023 until April 2024.

Details Visit Website
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