Sonoran Desert National Monument
7 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Sonoran Desert National Monument is a protected area in Arizona with a measured darkness of 80/100 (≈ Bortle 3), a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically May, when about 85% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 29/100. 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 Sonoran Desert National Monument
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 62% | 56/100 |
| February | 69% | 60/100 |
| March | 67% | 59/100 |
| April | 79% | 66/100 |
| May ★ | 85% | 70/100 |
| June | 81% | 68/100 |
| July | 51% | 49/100 |
| August | 61% | 55/100 |
| September | 77% | 65/100 |
| October | 84% | 70/100 |
| November | 73% | 63/100 |
| December | 64% | 57/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Sonoran Desert 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 Sonoran Desert National Monument for each.
69/100sky darkness at this stay
63/100sky darkness at this stay
America's Choice Inn & Suites Gila Bend
- Sky darkness
- 63/100
- To the spot
- 32.7 km
- Location
- Gila Bend
58/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Palms Inn
Darkness: 58/100 · 35.9 km from Sonoran Desert National Monument · Gila Bend
- Check availability →
Best Western Space Age Motel
Darkness: 58/100 · 36.3 km from Sonoran Desert National Monument · Gila Bend
- Check availability →
Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino - A Caesars Rewards Destination
Darkness: 50/100 · 27.6 km from Sonoran Desert National Monument · Maricopa
- Check availability →
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Darkness: 50/100 · 28.6 km from Sonoran Desert National Monument · Maricopa
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Maricopa
Maricopa is the closest base to Sonoran Desert 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
- Hohokam Pima National Monument 47.8 km · Sky Score 37/100
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument 74.1 km · Sky Score 41/100
- Ironwood Forest National Monument 91.9 km · Sky Score 56/100
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument 113.1 km · Sky Score 67/100
- Saguaro National Park - Tucson Mountain District 128.4 km · Sky Score 45/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).