Bluewater Lake State Park
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Bluewater Lake State Park is a protected area in New Mexico 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 October, when about 74% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 28/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 73%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Bluewater Lake State Park
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 56% | 52/100 |
| February | 63% | 56/100 |
| March | 62% | 56/100 |
| April | 70% | 61/100 |
| May | 73% | 63/100 |
| June | 69% | 60/100 |
| July | 54% | 50/100 |
| August | 58% | 53/100 |
| September | 73% | 63/100 |
| October ★ | 74% | 64/100 |
| November | 71% | 61/100 |
| December | 61% | 55/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Bluewater Lake State Park: 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 Bluewater Lake State Park for each.
53/100sky darkness at this stay
53/100sky darkness at this stay
52/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
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Motel 6
Darkness: 52/100 · 35.2 km from Bluewater Lake State Park · Grants
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Quality Inn & Suites
Darkness: 52/100 · 35.2 km from Bluewater Lake State Park · Grants
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Days Inn by Wyndham Grants
Darkness: 52/100 · 35.3 km from Bluewater Lake State Park · Grants
Check availability →Best Western Grants Inn
Darkness: 52/100 · 8.3 Very well rated (129 reviews) · 35.3 km from Bluewater Lake State Park · Grants
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Darkness: 52/100 · 35.4 km from Bluewater Lake State Park · Grants
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Live prices around Grants
Grants is the closest base to Bluewater Lake State Park 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 New Mexico
- El Morro National Monument 34.9 km · Sky Score 64/100
- El Calderon viewpoint 40.8 km · Sky Score 63/100
- Sandstone Bluff Overlook 49.2 km · Sky Score 61/100
- El Malpais National Monument 51.9 km · Sky Score 64/100
- La Ventana Arch Viewpoint 54.1 km · Sky Score 64/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).