From the peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the remote plains, Colorado offers extraordinary opportunities to enjoy the night sky. Here are ten places to stargaze in Colorado.

1. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

As an International Dark Sky Park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve provides an otherworldly opportunity to experience the night sky. According to Colorado.com, rangers encourage self-guided exploration in total darkness. And if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of some local wildlife, including owls, coyotes, or bobcats. They also have guided programs in the summer.

2. Loveland Pass

At an elevation of 11,990 feet, the top of Loveland Pass makes an excellent spot for stargazing and it’s easy to reach in a vehicle. As well as providing a great vantage point to see the night sky, Loveland Pass is near Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin, so you can indulge in many outdoor activities in the nearby vicinity.

3. Hovenweep National Monument

This International Dark Sky Park straddles the Colorado and Utah border, both preserving Ancestral Puebloan ruins and providing a spot for flawless views of the night sky. You can cozy up and stargaze at the visitor center and campground, and even participate in ranger-presented stargazing programs in the spring and summer.

4. Dinosaur National Monument

This monument was also designated as a Dark Sky Park for its “exceptional natural darkness.” See the stars among the monument’s dinosaur remains embedded in the rocks. The park also hosts ranger programs and special events from May through October to take visitors through the dark.

5. The UFO Watchtower – San Luis Valley

As well as seeing the shining stars, you might see some strange activity in the skies from the UFO Watchtower. According to Colorado.com, the San Luis Valley is known for alien activity, and has had dozens of UFO sightings since 2007. The watchtower offers information and theories on past sightings. Enjoy viewing the stars, and possible UFOs at this location.

Visiting and camping at the UFO Watchtower isn’t free, but fees are minimal.

6. Curecanti National Recreation Area

You’ll see beautiful arrays of stars at this rugged landscape far from major metropolitan areas. Curecanti is comprised of three reservoirs – Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal. If you go on a clear night and look carefully, you might see the stars reflected in the water. Curecanti also offers hiking, boating, kayaking, camping, fishing, paddle-boarding, windsurfing, and wildlife watching.

7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon achieved International Dark Sky Park designation in 2015, meaning it’s one of the best places to go stargazing in the world. The Black Canyon Astronomical Society hosts nighttime programs to assist viewers in the dark, and holds the annual Black Canyon Astronomy Festival each September.

8. Westcliffe and Silver Cliff

The towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff were Colorado’s first communities to be recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association, and they are two of the highest altitude International Dark Sky communities in the world. The community’s Smokey Jack Observatory features a computer-guided Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, which gives visitors an unobstructed view of the Milky Way. The local chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association hosts stars parties at the area.

9. Jackson Lake State Park

This is the first Colorado State Park to receive the designation of International Dark Sky Park, as its lake provides the perfect mirror to the constellations above. The park offers ideal stargazing conditions, with its sandy beaches and peaceful silence.

10. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

This national monument and International Dark Sky Park offers stunning views of the skies, and it’s also home to some of the richest fossil deposits in the world. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society hosts the park’s Night Sky Program, which provides a guided look through telescopes at the wonders above.