Stargazing in the US Southwest
The darkest, most reliable night skies in America are concentrated in five states. We rated every worthwhile spot with a satellite-based Sky Score — pick your state, then pick your sky.
Arizona
100 rated spots · best Sky Score 75/100
Darkest: Cabeza Prieta Wilderness
Nevada
92 rated spots · best Sky Score 73/100
Darkest: Death Valley National Park
New Mexico
100 rated spots · best Sky Score 70/100
Darkest: amazing view
Texas
51 rated spots · best Sky Score 70/100
Darkest: Big Bend National Park
Utah
100 rated spots · best Sky Score 69/100
Darkest: Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument
Want the overall ranking? The darkest skies in the Southwest, ranked.