City of Rocks State Park

Sky Score 65/100≈ Bortle 2

8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

City of Rocks State Park is a protected area in New Mexico 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 May, when about 83% 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 City of Rocks State Park

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January64%62/100
February67%64/100
March66%63/100
April78%71/100
May ★83%75/100
June70%66/100
July53%54/100
August52%54/100
September73%68/100
October75%70/100
November69%66/100
December65%62/100

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

Where to stay near City of Rocks 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 City of Rocks State Park for each.

56/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Holiday Inn Express

Sky darkness
56/100
To the spot
34 km
Location
Silver City
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56/100sky darkness at this stay

#3

Quality Inn

Sky darkness
56/100
To the spot
35.6 km
Location
Silver City
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More stays nearby

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Live prices around Silver City

Silver City is the closest base to City of Rocks 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

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