Entry No. 76 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: after-dark

Star Party at Garden of the Gods

After the famous red rocks empty out for the day, the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society wheels personal telescopes into the visitor-center parking lot and points them skyward for free. On the July 18, 2026 night a slim waxing-crescent Moon and bright Venus hang in the west alongside star clusters and nebulae. The Gateway Cafe stays open with a special menu and Parks & Rec sets out a nocturnal-wildlife touch table. 9-11 PM, free and family-friendly.

The move: Bring a blanket, line up at the volunteers' telescopes to see Saturn's rings and the Moon's craters up close, then wander between scopes comparing what each astronomer has aimed at.

📍 Before you go Free and weather-dependent; specific dates only (e.g., July 18, 2026, 9-11pm). Use the overflow lot across from the Visitor Center.

• 📍 Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods)
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

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 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23