Cimarron Canyon State Park
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Cimarron Canyon State Park is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 88/100 (≈ Bortle 2), among the very darkest measurable skies we have rated: the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically September, when about 73% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 30/100. 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 Cimarron Canyon State Park
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 56% | 57/100 |
| February | 62% | 61/100 |
| March | 63% | 62/100 |
| April | 68% | 66/100 |
| May | 63% | 62/100 |
| June | 62% | 61/100 |
| July | 54% | 56/100 |
| August | 57% | 58/100 |
| September ★ | 73% | 69/100 |
| October | 70% | 67/100 |
| November | 70% | 67/100 |
| December | 62% | 61/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Cimarron Canyon 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 Cimarron Canyon State Park for each.
88/100sky darkness at this stay
Casa del Gavilan Historic Inn
- Sky darkness
- 88/100
- To the spot
- 21.1 km
- Location
- Cimarron
80/100sky darkness at this stay
74/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
The Lodge
Darkness: 71/100 · 19 km from Cimarron Canyon State Park · Angel Fire
- Check availability →
St. James Hotel
Darkness: 70/100 · 23.1 km from Cimarron Canyon State Park · Cimarron
- Check availability →
Hikers Cimarron Inn
Darkness: 70/100 · 23.3 km from Cimarron Canyon State Park · Cimarron
- Check availability →
Ryland
Darkness: 69/100 · 27.3 km from Cimarron Canyon State Park
- Check availability →
Elk Horn Lodge of Angel Fire
Darkness: 67/100 · 19 km from Cimarron Canyon State Park · Angle Fire
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Angel Fire
Angel Fire is the closest base to Cimarron Canyon 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
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park 7.3 km · Sky Score 61/100
- Coyote Creek State Park 40.9 km · Sky Score 63/100
- Gorge Bridge Scenic Overlook 50.2 km · Sky Score 61/100
- U S Hill 52.1 km · Sky Score 62/100
- Rio Grande del Norte National Monument 63.5 km · Sky Score 64/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).