Rockhound State Park

Sky Score 59/100≈ Bortle 3

8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Rockhound 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 83% 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 Rockhound State Park

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January67%58/100
February68%59/100
March65%57/100
April77%64/100
May ★83%68/100
June69%59/100
July53%49/100
August52%48/100
September72%61/100
October75%63/100
November69%59/100
December65%57/100

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

Where to stay near Rockhound 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 Rockhound State Park for each.

62/100sky darkness at this stay

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Los Milagros

Sky darkness
62/100
To the spot
37.4 km
Location
Columbus

62/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Hoover Hotel

Sky darkness
62/100
To the spot
37.4 km
Location
Columbus

More stays nearby

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Live prices around Columbus

Columbus is the closest base to Rockhound 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).