Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
4 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 94/100 (≈ 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 May, when about 79% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 32/100. 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 Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 59% | 63/100 |
| February | 65% | 68/100 |
| March | 65% | 68/100 |
| April | 75% | 75/100 |
| May ★ | 79% | 78/100 |
| June | 69% | 71/100 |
| July | 53% | 58/100 |
| August | 56% | 61/100 |
| September | 73% | 74/100 |
| October | 75% | 75/100 |
| November | 71% | 72/100 |
| December | 61% | 65/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area: 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 Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area for each.
94/100sky darkness at this stay
79/100sky darkness at this stay
79/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
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The Frisco Lodging Company
Darkness: 79/100 · 65.6 km from Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area · Reserve
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Reserve
Reserve is the closest base to Horse Mountain Wilderness Study Area 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
- Continental Divide Wilderness Study Area 33.2 km · Sky Score 69/100
- Apache Kid Wilderness 76.9 km · Sky Score 68/100
- Canyons Wilderness Study Area 79.7 km · Sky Score 67/100
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument 84.9 km · Sky Score 67/100
- Blue Range Wilderness 91 km · Sky Score 69/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).