Traveling through the dazzling multihued San Juan Mountains and making stops at historic towns of great significance, Colorado’s San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is often considered an essential journey for road trippers, traveling through popular mountain towns like Durango, Silverton, Telluride and Ouray. The San Juan Skyway is known far and wide for its million-dollar views.

Because the Skyway as well as the surrounding areas are so high in elevation, this area is a great place to view the sky, as the elevation means less atmospheric interference.

Length	235 miles
States	1 Colorado
Number of Astronomy Sites	6 sites

Astronomy Sites

Here are a list and suggestions for some astronomy sites in the area, but this list is not an exhaustive nor representative of every astronomy spot.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is in southwest Colorado. It’s known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the huge Cliff Palace. The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum has exhibits on the ancient Native American culture. Mesa Top Loop Road winds past archaeological sites and overlooks, including Sun Point Overlook with panoramic canyon views. Petroglyph Point Trail has several rock carvings.

Once the sun sets, park visitors can experience a night sky very similar to what the the Ancestral Pueblo people saw a millennium ago. The night skies above Mesa Verde are an important cultural resource, as well as a draw for visitors seeking spectacular views of the heavens above. Today, Mesa Verde sits at the center of the darkest skies remaining in the contiguous United States. The region’s high elevation, arid climate, sparse population, and clear skies all contribute to exceptional stargazing opportunities.  In 2021, Mesa Verde was certified as the world’s 100th International Dark Sky Park, in recognition of the park’s ongoing efforts to preserve and protect our naturally dark skies.

Good astronomy spots include the numerous overlooks along the park road, including the Geologic Overlook, Mancos Overlook, and the Montezuma Valley Overlook.

San Juan National Forest

The San Juan National Forest covers more than 1,878,846 acres in western Colorado with the forest bordering the Uncompahgre National Forest to the north and the Rio Grande National Forest to the east. The forest covers most of the southern portion of the San Juan Mountains west of the Continental Divide. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminucheand South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passes through the National Forest. Theodore Roosevelt created the forest by proclamation on June 3, 1905.

Therefore, there are a plethora of opportunities to recreate during the day and amazing viewpoints during the night to view the stars. There are too many to name, but finding a spot above the treelike will always provide an amazing opportunity for photography, as shown with this article.

Uncompahgre National Forest

Uncompahgre National Forest covers 955,229 acres in western Colorado, which borders the San Juan National Forest to the south. Today, Uncompahgre National Forest is administered jointly with the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forests from the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Delta, Colorado. The varied climate, sparse population, and abundance of sun make the Uncompahgre National Forest popular with jeeps, atvs, sight seers, and hikers.

Therefore, there are a plethora of opportunities to recreate during the day and amazing viewpoints during the night to view the stars. Examples include Lizard Head Pass and for some of the more adventurous, hike to some of the mountain peaks for amazing panoramic overviews that provide an amazing view of the sky.

Mancos State Park

Located near Mesa Verde National Park, the West Mancos Trail and the San Juan Skyway, the park is known to have been a dwelling place for Ancestral Puebloans. In the spring, summer and fall, canoeists, kayakers and wakeless power boaters enjoy the calm waters of Jackson Gulch Reservoir. The camping serves as a central location for travelers to visit the surrounding locations.

Therefore, there are a plethora of opportunities to recreate during the day and amazing viewpoints during the night to view the stars. Photography and viewing of the stars along the reservoir are great opportunities, plus along the 5.5 miles of hiking trails provide amazing opportunities to view the sky.

Molas Pass

With an elevation of 10,910 feet, Molas Pass is a high mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado in the United States. Though it is one of the higher passes in Colorado, it has only a few switchbacks on the north approach, is considerably less intimidating than Red Mountain Pass on the same highway. It is generally kept open in the winter months.

Some great locations at and around the pass include the Molas Pass itself, Molas Lake, and Little Molas Lake. These provide amazing scenery for photos of the Milky Way in summer and a great place to view the stars.

Red Mountain Pass/Crystal Lake

Red Mountain Pass is the stunning 11,018-foot summit of the Million Dollar Highway in Southwest Colorado. Although the road may be both treacherous and intimidating, adventurous drivers are rewarded with breathtaking views from the top. Be careful as there is a steep grade and no gaurdrails. The pass is named for the nearby Red Mountain on the northeast side of the pass. The pass separates the Uncompahgre and Las Animas River watersheds, and also serves as a dividing point between the Uncompahgre and San Juan National Forests.

Crystal Lake is the place for astronomy, with the view of Red Mountain Pass being a beautiful Milky Way photo. The Pass provides great opportunities for viewing and photography.

Camping/Lodging

Here are a bunch of the camping options, which is not exhaustive, but rather an opportunity for camping outdoors in the area.

Mesa Verde NP

The Morefield Campground is located four miles from the park entrance. It has spaces for tents, trailers, and RVs, including 15 full-hookup RV sites, which recommends reservations before heading over for travelers. The nearby Morefield Village offers a coin-operated laundry, complimentary showers, gas station, gift shop, grocery store, and breakfast at the Knife Edge Café. The campground is open seasonally.

Mancos State Park

Mancos State Park’s two yurts, and provides visitors with an alternative to RV and tent camping and the yurts can be reserved year-round. There are 2 campgrounds here with 32 available campsites that can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.

San Juan National Forest

Plethora of campgrounds, which offer developed campgrounds and more isolated dispersed camping areas. With some planning you can find a perfect spot for you and your family. While sewer, water hook-ups and showers are not available, most campgrounds have drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets. https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/sanjuan/recreation/camping-cabins

Uncompahgre National Forest

The GMUG National Forest has 56 developed campgrounds scattered across the forest in a variety of landscapes from open meadows, creekside riparian areas, to higher elevation aspen, and evergreen forests. Campground openings depends largely on weather conditions and snow removal. Dogs are allowed in campgrounds; however, they must be leashed.

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