Who doesn’t love gazing up at a starry night sky? It’s always a race to see who can find the Big Dipper first or argue over which star is actually true the North Star. What’s mind-boggling is that the number of stars and constellations we’re seeing from our apartment windows, front porches, and campsites are minuscule compared to what you’d find in a certified Dark Sky Park like Chaco Culture National Historic Park.
Located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, Chaco is home to the most well-preserved Southwestern culture structures – “great houses” — in America, some of which date back to the 9th century! (Meet these youth park rangers, who do a great job explaining the history of Chaco.) While you set up camp, look to the western sky for shooting stars and galaxies beginning to appear above you. Chaco is about to show you why it’s known as one of the darkest places on earth, and you’ve scored a front-row seat.
Chaco received its Dark Sky Park certification by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2013. (Only three other national parks have received this recognition!) Chaco Culture National Historical Park was given this award because of its minimal artificial light pollution. Did you know even if you’re 100 miles away from a city, its lights still shine bright enough to hide the stars? It’s true. In fact, more than 99 percent of Chaco’s park is designated as a “natural darkness zone” as a way to preserve not only its Dark Sky Park designation, but also the nocturnal ecosystems of the park, too! When you’re in a place known as one of the darkest places on the planet, you’re bound to see some pretty remarkable stars, constellations, and nebulae. Not only that, but you’re also seeing them from the same untouched territory as the Chacoan and Puebloan people did more than a thousand years ago.
The national park offers many public astronomy events, like the Chaco Night Sky Program, for anyone interested in getting a closer look at stars and planets. Go take advantage, all you two-lane travelers!
If you were to find yourself standing amongst these ancient structures, in total darkness, what would you hope to find in the sky? We’d like to see more of the Andromeda Glaxay, please.
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Good article. I live in AZ and have not seen this place before. Thanx, Tim
Go check it out, Tim!
I wonder how long the drive from Tucson to that spot would take? Yea I could ask my phone, but then there is never inter action with real people
Great point Diane!
After reading this, i’m going to add this to my bucket list !! Thank you Mike for posting these articles to inspire travel on the back roads !!!
Been to Chaco…mystical …..hard to get in, hard to get out…fascinating …..middle of nowhere ….
The darkest sides all around you, that’s a potential trip to the DARK SIDE!
I grew up in Farmington ,New Mexico not far from Chaco Canyon (this what we called it back in the mid to late sixties).
The street my home was on while growing up was Chaco Ave.
Thank You for showing this. Beautiful and ver peaceful. Go there if you get a chance.
I would very much like to know what unit of measurement was used to build Chaco canyon monuments. I would like to know the dimensions in today’s unit of measure, such as radius and circumference.
It is in line with two other villages that are in direct path with the sun a certain time of the year that is considered to be sacred days amoung the Nations.
One of the other dark spots is in Montville, Ohio 30 miles east of downtown Cleveland with an elevation of 1,254 feet. We went there August 12 to see the milky way, the big and little dipper and Venus. Great experience.