Sumner Lake State Park

Sky Score 64/100≈ Bortle 2

1 place to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓

Sumner Lake State Park 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 73% of the night sky is clear.

Tonight's outlook: 30/100. 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 Sumner Lake State Park

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January64%63/100
February67%65/100
March65%63/100
April70%67/100
May70%67/100
June64%63/100
July61%60/100
August59%59/100
September ★73%69/100
October69%66/100
November68%65/100
December64%62/100

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

Where to stay near Sumner 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 Sumner Lake State Park for each.

67/100sky darkness at this stay

#1

Super 8 by Wyndham Fort Sumner

Sky darkness
67/100
To the spot
22.2 km
Location
Fort Sumner

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Live prices around Fort Sumner

Fort Sumner is the closest base to Sumner 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

Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).