Ute Lake State Park
8 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Ute Lake State Park is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 69/100 (≈ Bortle 4), a good rural sky: the Milky Way is clearly visible, with some glow on the horizon toward nearby towns. The best month to come is typically September, when about 73% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 26/100. The moon is 93% lit and above the horizon 92% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 73%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Ute Lake State Park
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 63% | 48/100 |
| February | 66% | 50/100 |
| March | 64% | 49/100 |
| April | 69% | 52/100 |
| May | 67% | 51/100 |
| June | 63% | 48/100 |
| July | 61% | 48/100 |
| August | 59% | 46/100 |
| September ★ | 73% | 54/100 |
| October | 71% | 53/100 |
| November | 68% | 52/100 |
| December | 65% | 50/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Ute 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 Ute Lake State Park for each.
68/100sky darkness at this stay
65/100sky darkness at this stay
65/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Super 8
Darkness: 57/100 · 27.7 km from Ute Lake State Park · Tucumcari
- Check availability →
Quality Inn
Darkness: 57/100 · 28 km from Ute Lake State Park
- Check availability →
Americas Best Value Inn
Darkness: 56/100 · 28 km from Ute Lake State Park
- Check availability →
Econo Lodge
Darkness: 56/100 · 28.1 km from Ute Lake State Park · Tucumcari
- Check availability →
Motel 6 Tucumcari
Darkness: 56/100 · 28.2 km from Ute Lake State Park
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Logan
Logan is the closest base to Ute 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
- Conchas Lake State Park 65.6 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Santa Rosa Lake State Park 115.9 km · Sky Score 53/100
- Sumner Lake State Park 117 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Oasis State Park 122.1 km · Sky Score 49/100
- Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways 137.2 km · Sky Score 63/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).