Entry No. 42 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: dark-sky

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge

Designated as an official Urban Dark Sky Place, this 570-acre South Valley wildlife refuge along the Rio Grande hosts periodic after-dark stargazing parties away from the urban neon grid.

The move: Pack camp chairs and a red-lens headlamp for a scheduled Bosque Stargazing event, looking through high-powered amateur telescopes while coyotes howl in the surrounding cottonwood forest.

• 📍 South Valley
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 7851 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105

Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: darksky.org · fws.gov

last checked: 2026-07-21