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Sliversnake's avatar
Sliversnake
Explorer
Jul 01, 2017

Looking for a dark sky site for the winter

Hello all, I am looking for recommendations for a reasonably priced full service dark sky location to spend the winter. I am an amateur astrophotographer and full time RVer who would like to find a southwestern campground that is high, dry, and has dark clear skies far away from city lights. I am thinking New Mexico, Arizona, or Nevada but am open to other suggestions. Please share your experiences with me on these locations.

Thank you
Sliversnake
  • Nutinelse2do's avatar
    Nutinelse2do
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2017
    Sliversnake wrote:
    Thanks Tyrone, Rusty's is just what I was looking for.


    I thought the idea of having wheels was to get away from freezing temps and snow in the Winter???
  • Mannon89's avatar
    Mannon89
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2017
    Davis state park in Texas is very dark and they have the McDonald Observatory nearby there check it out . Really nice place. Private camping is also available.
  • DougE's avatar
    DougE
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2017
    Big Bend Nat'l Park is about as dark as you can get. A few years ago the park underwent a lighting upgrade done specifically to participate in the "dark sky" effort. Plus, within the park there's at least 25 miles of nothing between various park facilities. It's also not that far from the McDonald Observatory if you want to visit the big guns.
  • Us_out_West's avatar
    Us_out_West
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2017
    We had a great stay at Tombstone Territories RV Park. About 8 miles west of Huachuca City, AZ and 10 miles east of Tombstone, AZ. with nothing but desert on all sides.

    We were there in January of 2013.

    From our Trip Journal;

    The views, as you can see in some of the photos, are awesome. We are in a pull-thru site with nothing behind us but breathtaking views of the awe-inspiring mountain vistas and desert landscape. Actually there are mountain views in all directions. At 4,000' feet the temps have still been in the mid to upper 70's during the day and 30's at night. With no city lights around the night sky is lit up with stars and right now a half moon.




    Might have most of what your looking for.
  • magnusfide's avatar
    magnusfide
    Explorer II
    Jul 01, 2017
    TyroneandGladys wrote:
    Just what the doctor ordered Rusty's RV Ranch
    Amateur Deep Sky Observing at its Best
    Very,very dark, clear skies.
    No significant human population within 50 miles.
    If you have the telescope, we have the skies.

    Double ditto. Went to some star parties there and had a great time.
  • TyroneandGladys's avatar
    TyroneandGladys
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2017
    Just what the doctor ordered Rusty's RV Ranch
    Amateur Deep Sky Observing at its Best
    Very,very dark, clear skies.
    No significant human population within 50 miles.
    If you have the telescope, we have the skies.

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