Fenton Lake State Park
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Fenton Lake State Park is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 89/100 (≈ 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 74% 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 74%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Fenton Lake State Park
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54% | 56/100 |
| February | 62% | 62/100 |
| March | 61% | 61/100 |
| April | 67% | 65/100 |
| May | 68% | 66/100 |
| June | 67% | 66/100 |
| July | 55% | 57/100 |
| August | 58% | 59/100 |
| September ★ | 74% | 70/100 |
| October | 71% | 68/100 |
| November | 69% | 67/100 |
| December | 60% | 60/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Fenton 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 Fenton Lake State Park for each.
88/100sky darkness at this stay
88/100sky darkness at this stay
87/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
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Laughing Lizard Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 13 km from Fenton Lake State Park
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Jemez Mountain Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 13 km from Fenton Lake State Park
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Jemez Canyon Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 13.2 km from Fenton Lake State Park
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Del Prado Motel
Darkness: 64/100 · 25.6 km from Fenton Lake State Park
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Motel Cuban Lodge
Darkness: 64/100 · 25.7 km from Fenton Lake State Park
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs is the closest base to Fenton 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
- Jemez National Recreation Area 14.2 km · Sky Score 63/100
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 36.9 km · Sky Score 57/100
- Bandelier National Monument 37.6 km · Sky Score 51/100
- Chama River Canyon Wilderness 51.5 km · Sky Score 65/100
- Cerrillos Hills State Park 72.4 km · Sky Score 55/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).