Jemez National Recreation Area
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Jemez National Recreation Area 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 75% 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 75%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Jemez National Recreation Area
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 56% | 57/100 |
| February | 63% | 62/100 |
| March | 62% | 61/100 |
| April | 68% | 66/100 |
| May | 70% | 67/100 |
| June | 67% | 65/100 |
| July | 55% | 57/100 |
| August | 58% | 59/100 |
| September ★ | 75% | 70/100 |
| October | 72% | 68/100 |
| November | 71% | 67/100 |
| December | 62% | 61/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Jemez National Recreation 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 Jemez National Recreation Area for each.
88/100sky darkness at this stay
88/100sky darkness at this stay
87/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Laughing Lizard Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 5.4 km from Jemez National Recreation Area
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Jemez Mountain Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 5.4 km from Jemez National Recreation Area
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Jemez Canyon Inn
Darkness: 84/100 · 5.7 km from Jemez National Recreation Area
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Wingate
Darkness: 52/100 · 31.5 km from Jemez National Recreation Area · Los Alamos
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Motel 6 Los Alamos NM
Darkness: 52/100 · 31.6 km from Jemez National Recreation Area
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs is the closest base to Jemez National Recreation 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
- Fenton Lake State Park 14.2 km · Sky Score 63/100
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument 23.1 km · Sky Score 57/100
- Bandelier National Monument 27.4 km · Sky Score 51/100
- Cerrillos Hills State Park 58.6 km · Sky Score 55/100
- Chama River Canyon Wilderness 62.4 km · Sky Score 65/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).