Percha Dam State Park
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Percha Dam State Park is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 79/100 (≈ Bortle 3), a genuinely dark sky where the Milky Way is a bright, structured band. The best month to come is typically May, when about 82% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 27/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 72%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Percha Dam State Park
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 66% | 58/100 |
| February | 68% | 59/100 |
| March | 66% | 57/100 |
| April | 76% | 64/100 |
| May ★ | 82% | 67/100 |
| June | 69% | 59/100 |
| July | 54% | 50/100 |
| August | 55% | 50/100 |
| September | 72% | 62/100 |
| October | 74% | 63/100 |
| November | 70% | 60/100 |
| December | 66% | 57/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Percha Dam 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 Percha Dam State Park for each.
89/100sky darkness at this stay
#2Las Palomas Hot Springs Spa
7.5Well rated(432 reviews)
Las Palomas Hot Springs Spa invites you to soak in private hot mineral baths set within one of four separate courtyards, with brightly decorated rooms offering kitchenettes and private entrances. The property's convenient location puts downtown shops and restaurants just blocks away, while nearby outdoor recreation includes Elephant Butte Reservoir and Caballo Lake State Park within short drives.
- Sky darkness
- 57/100
- To the spot
- 29.2 km
57/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
Check availability →Blackstone Hot Springs Spa
Darkness: 57/100 · 7.5 Well rated (432 reviews) · 29.3 km from Percha Dam State Park
- Check availability →
Dude Motel
Darkness: 57/100 · 29.3 km from Percha Dam State Park
Check availability →Charles Motel & Spa
Darkness: 57/100 · 7.5 Well rated (432 reviews) · 29.4 km from Percha Dam State Park
Check availability →Pelican Spa & Apartments
Darkness: 57/100 · 7.5 Well rated (432 reviews) · 29.4 km from Percha Dam State Park
- Check availability →
Firewater Lodge
Darkness: 57/100 · 29.4 km from Percha Dam State Park
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Hillsboro
Hillsboro is the closest base to Percha Dam 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
- Caballo Lake State Park 14.6 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Fray Cristobal Mountain Overlook 44.1 km · Sky Score 62/100
- Leasburg Dam State Park 54.7 km · Sky Score 51/100
- Elephant Butte Lake State Park 63.5 km · Sky Score 66/100
- Prehistoric Trackways National Monument 66.9 km · Sky Score 47/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).