Cedar Bench Wilderness
Cedar Bench Wilderness is a protected area in Arizona with a measured darkness of 88/100 (≈ Bortle 2) — among the very darkest measurable skies in the American Southwest — the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically June, when about 80% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 61/100. The moon is 7% lit and above the horizon 13% of the night; typical August clear-sky odds here are 62%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Cedar Bench Wilderness
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 55% | 56/100 |
| February | 63% | 62/100 |
| March | 61% | 60/100 |
| April | 74% | 70/100 |
| May | 79% | 73/100 |
| June ★ | 80% | 74/100 |
| July | 56% | 57/100 |
| August | 62% | 61/100 |
| September | 78% | 73/100 |
| October | 79% | 73/100 |
| November | 72% | 68/100 |
| December | 59% | 59/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night — check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Cedar Bench Wilderness
Each place below is rated for the darkness at its own doorstep — stay dark, and the sky is yours from the parking lot.
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Copper Canyon Inn
19 km away · darkness at hotel: 60/100
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Comfort Inn- Camp Verde
19.2 km away · Camp Verde · darkness at hotel: 60/100
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Days Inn
19.3 km away · Camp Verde · darkness at hotel: 60/100
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Cliff Castle Casino Hotel
22.1 km away · Camp Verde · darkness at hotel: 57/100
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Beeline Guest House
33.4 km away · darkness at hotel: 72/100
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Valley Verde Inn
38.2 km away · darkness at hotel: 58/100
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Best Western Cottonwood Inn
38.5 km away · Cottonwood · darkness at hotel: 54/100
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Pines Motel
38.7 km away · Cottonwood · darkness at hotel: 54/100
Booking links are affiliate links — disclosure.
Nearby spots in Arizona
- Pine Mountain Wilderness — 13.9 km · Sky Score 66/100
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — 24.4 km · Sky Score 52/100
- Fossil Springs Wilderness — 25.9 km · Sky Score 65/100
- West Clear Creek Wilderness — 30.1 km · Sky Score 65/100
- Agua Fria National Monument — 30.5 km · Sky Score 63/100