Ute Lake State Park

Sky Score 50/100≈ Bortle 4

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

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January63%48/100
February66%50/100
March64%49/100
April69%52/100
May67%51/100
June63%48/100
July61%48/100
August59%46/100
September ★73%54/100
October71%53/100
November68%52/100
December65%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

#1Darkest sky of these stays

Yucca Motel

Sky darkness
68/100
To the spot
5.3 km
Location
Logan

65/100sky darkness at this stay

#2

Village Inn Motel

Sky darkness
65/100
To the spot
5.2 km
Location
Logan

More stays nearby

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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

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