Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Sky Score 64/100≈ Bortle 2

3 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is a protected area in Arizona with a measured darkness of 87/100 (≈ Bortle 2), a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically September, when about 77% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 31/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 77%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Canyon de Chelly National Monument

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January55%56/100
February63%61/100
March61%60/100
April69%66/100
May74%69/100
June75%70/100
July59%58/100
August63%61/100
September ★77%71/100
October76%70/100
November72%68/100
December60%59/100

Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).

Where to stay near Canyon de Chelly National Monument: sleep under a dark sky

We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Canyon de Chelly National Monument for each.

63/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Thunderbird Lodge

Sky darkness
63/100
To the spot
17.8 km

59/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly

Sky darkness
59/100
To the spot
18.6 km
Location
Chinle

54/100sky darkness at this stay

#3

BEST WESTERN Canyon de Chelly Inn

Sky darkness
54/100
To the spot
21.5 km

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Live prices around Chinle

Chinle is the closest base to Canyon de Chelly National Monument with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.

Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.

Nearby spots in Arizona

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).