Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary

Cosmic Campground is a small, primitive campground in the Gila National Forest in Catron County, western New Mexico, between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area. The International Dark-Sky Association (now DarkSky International) certified it as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2016. The Forest Service says it was the first sanctuary on National Forest System land and the first in North America. The nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away, across the state line in Arizona. The site gives a 360 degree, unobstructed view of the sky. Our own estimate is Bortle 2.

The campground was built for observing. It has four concrete telescope and observation pads, an information kiosk, a vault toilet and picnic tables at each campsite. There is no drinking water and very little shade, so bring what you need. It is open all year, with a limit of two vehicles per campsite, and pets must be leashed. It sits at 5,364 feet. To get there, take US Highway 180 to a point 8 miles north of Alma, between mileposts 37 and 38, where a brown Forest Service sign marks the entrance. Cross the cattle guard and drive about 1.3 miles. The Glenwood Ranger District office handles questions.

This far south, the Milky Way core climbs to about 27 degrees above the southern horizon. Our data gives June, May and July the most core hours. With an open horizon in every direction, you can follow the core from rise to set.