Entry No. 78 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: after-dark

Rocky Mountain Star Stare (Starry Meadows)

Once a year the astronomical society throws open its private 35-acre observing site, Starry Meadows, for a multi-night dark-sky campout at 7,600 feet where 300-plus amateur and pro astronomers haul in serious telescopes. At this altitude and isolation the sky is genuinely black, and the field becomes a glowing maze of red headlamps and gear after sunset. The 2026 event runs June 10-14.

The move: Camp out for a night, walk the field of giant telescopes after dark peering at deep-sky objects the owners are happy to show off, and crawl into the tent with the Milky Way still blazing overhead.

📍 Before you go Registration required; annual multi-day event (June 10-14, 2026). Roughly two-plus hours southwest of the Springs; bring your own camping setup.

• 📍 Gardner
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Starry Meadows, near Gardner, CO (between the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain ranges)

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-23