Black Forest
Stargazing Guide.
Just 23.8 miles from the center of Black Forest, lies some of the region's best viewing at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. We feature instrumented readings from Atop Restroom to guarantee the most accurate sky quality data.
Stargazing Logistics for Black Forest
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~23.8 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Atop Restroom as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 5 recognized sites near Black Forest offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Black Forest is positioned in a strategic 'Starlight Corridor.' It is far enough from the CO metro glare to allow for deep-sky imaging, yet serves as a convenient staging area for the deeper Class 4 skies found at Atop Restroom.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Black Forest
For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in Black Forest. This is when local industrial lighting and residential 'sky glow' is at its minimum, and the most prominent Winter constellations are directly overhead at the zenith.
Expert Tips for Black Forest Observers
Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near Black Forest, looking slightly to the side of a faint nebula will reveal much more detail than looking directly at it, especially when dealing with the Class 5+ suburban skies of the CO region. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Atop Restroom (97.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Black Forest
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Black Forest spots to preserve your night vision.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
" Black Forest observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Equipment Logic: Small aperture telescopes are actually more resilient to localized heat currents than large ones on suburban nights. "
Mueller State Park
" A manageable drive from Black Forest, this spot is a reliable regional favorite. Comfort Tip: The ground cools faster than the air. Bring a reclining chair to keep your neck strain-free during marathon observation sessions. "
Garden of The Gods
" Black Forest observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Imaging Tip: If you're photographing the Milky Way, bring a clear filter or dew shield to prevent lens fogging in humid conditions. "
Florissant Fossil Beds
" Heading out from Black Forest toward this location will reward you with steady horizons. Scientific Fact: Around 3 AM, the atmosphere is usually most stable, offering the 'steadiest seeing' for high-magnification planetary views. "
Fox Run Regional Park
" Black Forest observers often find this mid-distance site perfect for a full session. Meteor Watching Tip: Don't look at one spot; keep your eyes moving across the sky. Your peripheral vision is more sensitive to motion. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Black Forest
Rural conditions near Black Forest provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Black Forest
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. To resolve the deep-sky objects measured in these scientific reports, Black Forest observers should check our recommended optics kit.
Atop Restroom
Bent's Old Fort NHS
Local Relevance
The scientific findings at Atop Restroom provide Black Forest residents with the most reliable data on regional atmospheric stability.
"Excellent data with smooth atmosphere, no layered haze or directional anomolies, stable extinction coefficient, and no clouds. 5th set shows some signs of dewfall. 4th set used for measurement as Milky Way was least prominent during that set. Data shows remarkable zenith brightness of 22.14 despite substantial light pollution to west. Measured LM of 6.7 at 45 deg to NW and 7.0 at 60 deg to NE. Glimpsed one mag 7.4 star. Visual scene is substantially hampered by streetlights along highway and park lighting, visible in images (especially at azi 305 deg). These impede dark adaptation and result in Bortle Class 4 rating, when potentially site could be Bortle Class 3. SQM of 21.73 at 06:15."
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds NM
Local Relevance
Black Forest enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Snowing at 6:00 pm but cleared out nicely by 9:00 pm. Very cold temps (27°) at start time and light winds. Transparency was excellent. The light dome of the greater Denver area easily visible to the NNE up to about 25° above horizon. Colorado Springs visible to the east and maybe a little brighter than Denver and light dome visible to the naked eye to almost 30°."
Dark Sky Oasis near Black Forest
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Planning a trip to a nearby Dark Sky Park? Ensure your kit is ready by viewing our staged observer advice below.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
The protected skies at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument represent a vital astronomical asset for the Black Forest observing community.
15807 Co Rd 1 P.O. Box 185 Florissant, CO 80816 USA
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Colorado
The protected skies at Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Colorado represent a vital astronomical asset for the Black Forest observing community.
Custer County, Colorado, USA
Astronomy Clubs for Black Forest
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Don't show up to the club dark-site empty-handed. View the field kit we've curated for the The Forest Observer profile.
Gearing Up for Black Forest Nights
"Staging for a night near Black Forest requires a balance of power and portability. Consider 10x50 binoculars as a primary scouting tool while your main telescope acclimates to the cooler rural air."
The Black Forest Field Kit
Designing a field kit for Black Forest requires understanding the specific transition from urban skyglow to the regional pristine benchmarks. With Cheyenne Mountain State Park sitting at a ~24-mile benchmark, your gear selection should mirror your willingness to travel. The following levels represent a logical path for growing your observatory without over-complicating your local field sessions.