Aspen.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Aspen, CO. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Aspen
- Top Community Pick: local vantage points (~N/A miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 4.0 at Elk Creek Water Tank
- Local Experts: Black Canyon Astronomical Society
- Verified Observations: 0 distinct spots
Stargazing in Aspen is surprisingly rewarding if you know exactly where to set up your tripod. While enthusiasts often gather at local vantage points for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Elk Creek Water Tank provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 4.0. The local landscape of Aspen offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Aspen
For the best results in Aspen, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.
Expert Tips for Aspen Observers
Before heading out to local vantage points, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. A medium-aperture telescope is ideal for resolving the rings of Saturn and bright star clusters here. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Colorado Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Elk Creek Water Tank
Curecanti NRA
"Transparency not very good or perhaps moderately bright airglow. Milky Way looked a little bleached. Could see dark lane of M31 averted, but M33 very difficult. Lights from Elk Creek development are clearly degrading local night sky. Two twin PAR motion sensors in maintenance yard are casting obvious shadows and limiting dark adaptation from knoll next to maintenance boneyard. Transparency improved by end of data run, LM 6.6 at start of data run. Some layered haze above Gunnison part way through the data run. Gegenschein was fairly easy. Airglow to north and slight glow at 170° that I could not identify. Possibly airglow. Some indications of zodiacal band west of Gegenschein, but only 20° in extent at most. Milky Way indistinct in detail, but clear in form. SQM 21.43-21.42. This is not an ideal atmospheric condition as sky is not yeilding the expected visibilty. Saw lots of meteors, especially short, bright (~mag1) white Orionid meteors. Saw a bright bolide flash at 7:28 pm local, but could not see train or smoke streak. Bortle Class 4 with poor seeing."
Elk Creek Water Tank
Curecanti NRA
"Returned to knoll next to water tank at CURE maintenance bone yard. Got 3 data sets with Milky Way in better position relative to light domes. Same problems with lighting at developed area. SQM 21.52 brightening to 21.46 by the 3rd set. LM was 6.8-7.1, sky seemed variable and bright - airglow causing interference? Zodiacal light visible, but not quite a band. Bortle Class 3"
International Dark Sky Parks
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