Summer Guide to Stargazing in North Park

Summertime Guide to Stargazing in North Park

When was the last time you looked up at the night sky and saw the Milky Way? Even in Colorado, there are fewer and fewer places you might be able to see more than just a few stars at night. Far too many people are unable to see most stars, planets, or constellations due to urban sprawl. Light pollution is the main culprit of blocking the view for stargazing. 

In North Park, however, our location in the remote northern Colorado Rocky Mountains protects us from the glare of city lights coming from the Front Range and other populated areas. It’s just another reason to visit North Park, Colorado.

What is Light Pollution?

No doubt you’ve heard of air pollution, microplastics in the oceans, and other forms of toxicity in the environment, so you might be wondering how light could be considered pollution. As urban areas increase, the light these concentrated areas of population give off in the form of street lighting, vehicles, and industrial lighting combine with other factors such as air pollution. The result is an extremely reflective area of the atmosphere which obscures our ability to see the sky at night. Though it might not seem harmful, other than reducing our ability to see stars, the effects are profound and long-reaching.

Many people who have only lived in cities have not seen the full spectacle of the night sky in person.

How Does it Affect the Environment?

Light pollution affects the ecosystem in many ways, from an increase in nocturnal insects to disrupting predator/prey relationships, and even altering migratory patterns of birds. Artificial light can also impact breeding patterns in amphibians and other vertebrates. These changes go right up through the food chain and can upset the delicate balance of entire ecosystems, right up to throwing off agriculture and food production for humans.

The increase of artificial light by several degrees of magnitude in just the last hundred years have far-reaching consequences, the likes of which have yet to be studied. An overly-illuminated night sky affects a lot more than astronomers. It could extend towards spreading invasive species, increasing disease in forests wetlands, and much more.

What is Being Done to Preserve Our Night Skies?

Initiatives such as the DarkSky project are working towards spreading awareness of light pollution and setting up standards urban areas can use to be more night friendly. To become certified, DarkSky requires applicants to document artificial light sources, and use only certain types of fixtures that are night sky friendly. It’s a rigorous approval process requiring lots of documentation to make sure the standards of DarkSky are being met. Types of fixtures include certain wattages of outdoor lighting, directional illumination (not shining directly upwards, but only towards the ground), and limiting the intensity of artificial light to a threshold of lumens.  

Colorado State Forest State Park

The Colorado State Forest State Park is the largest of Colorado’s State Parks, covering hundreds of square miles. It is also one of the most remote State Parks and due to the surrouding mountains, it is an excellent candidate for DarkSky certification. The process is still ongoing, with only volunteers doing all of the documentation necessary to become certified. The staff at the Colorado State Forest State Park hopes to gain certification status within the next year or so. As it is, the campgrounds all uphold a lights-out policy and noise ordinance after 10pm, which enables visitors to see a vast depth of field for stargazing.

Starry, Starry Nights

During the summer months, on the Saturday evening closest to the New Moon, volunteers host Starry, Starry Night at the Moose Visitor Center on CO Highway 14 between Ranger Lakes and Gould, CO. Volunteers give guided tours of the heavens with the help of a 10” reflecting telescope, which is capable of seeing galaxies, nebulas, binary star systems, and even the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Unfortunately, the light of the moon produces plenty of glare, which limits your ability to see these celestial objects with clarity, which is why the event is held on nights when there is little or no moonlight.

One of the best areas to see stars at the Colorado State Forest State Park is in the shadow of the Medicine Bow Range, which blocks much of the light pollution from Fort Collins and the Front Range. Bockman Campground is a crowd favorite for stargazing, and it isn’t unusual to see amateur astronomers breaking out their large telescopes to look at the night sky.

A Romantic Weekend Under the Stars

There is something about a clear night sky that can set the mood for a summer night under the stars. It is an unforgettable experience that reaches down into the human soul. Whether it is a reminder of our size compared with the rest of the universe, or simply a brilliant light show that fires the imagination, nothing quite compares to stargazing for a breathtaking evening under the night sky.

Ideal Conditions for Stargazing

Summer nights in North Park are generally mild, with low cloud cover and a thinner atmosphere which allows you to see countless stars and constellations. High winds in the upper atmosphere generally clear out heavy cloud cover, and North Park gets to enjoy long periods of time with crystal clear night skies. In early August, meteor showers can be viewed from just about anywhere in Jackson County, with several shooting stars visible throughout the night.

Stargazing Year Round

Winter nights can be even more brilliant, with cold air being even less obscured by clouds and humidity. If you venture out at night, be sure to dress warmly and stay to areas that have been plowed to avoid getting stuck.

Where to Go Stargazing

With plenty of public land, from BLM to National Forests, and State Parks, just about anywhere outside of populated areas in North Park offers a great place to view the night sky. All within just a few minutes drive outside of Walden! 

In spite of the ever growing degree of light pollution from the Front Range, North Park gets a minimal degree of light pollution. The majority of it comes from the Front Range, but also urban areas such as Laramie, WY and Steamboat, CO are becoming increasingly visible. Areas closer to North Park’s mountains can provide a good shield from light pollution, especially if there is a lot of cloud cover over the mountains.

In North Park, it isn’t uncommon to watch a silent thunderstorm on the other side of the mountains, while enjoying a cloudless starfield overhead. Photographers will love this juxtaposition of imagery, especially in night photography.

What You Need

You don’t need a lot of equipment to enjoy the night sky. It’s just about the least expensive outdoor activity there is!  Just find a place away from a lot of artificial light, and a safe place to park. Turn off your lights and look up into an eternity of outer space, stretching out for eons of lightyears with billions of stars shining in the night sky. 

Here are some other things you might need:

• Blankets/jacket: Even in summer, nights in North Park can get chilly. Especially if you are sitting on the ground to stargaze.
• Binoculars/telescopes: To see even more detail, use these to see even better.
• Folding chairs: Why sit on the ground when you can stargaze in comfort?
• Snacks and beverages: Remember to pack out your trash and litter.
• Flashlights: For moving around safely and making sure others can see you.
• Stargazing app: Download an app to your smartphone that will show you the names of the constellations and planets to understand the night sky better.

Be Safe at Night

Make sure you take precautions when enjoying the night sky in North Park. Many nocturnal animals are also out at night. Mountain lions, bears, wolves, and even moose are out at night. In some places, free range livestock such as cattle occupy public lands and can become dangerous at night. 

The most dangerous thing at night, however, is people. Not being visible at night can increase your chances of being struck by a motor vehicle, so be sure to make sure your vehicle is parked safely. Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or headlamp when walking to and from your vehicle. Always observe public and private land restrictions and make sure you aren’t trespassing or stargazing in otherwise dangerous areas, such as places that are near abandoned mines or barbed wire.

A Night Sky You Won’t Soon Forget

If you want a weekend away from the lights of the city, where you can see the Milky Way, meteor storms, and a truly memorable night sky, check out accommodations throughout North Park to extend your stay. VRBO, or AirBnB listings provide a great jumping off point for world-class stargazing. Here is a list of hotels and resorts to check out for your next visit.

• Antlers Inn Call: (970) 723-8690
• North Park Inn and Suites: (970) 723-4271
• Chedsey Motel Call: (970) 723-8201
• Lake John Resort (970) 723-3226
• Powderhorn Cabins, (970) 723-4359

Come to North Park to See the Stars

Not only will you enjoy the natural beauty of not only our forests, mountains, and plains, but also the brilliance of our night skies! North Park still ranks high on the list of places in the United States with the least amount of light pollution. Many people don’t even know what the Milky Way looks like. A trip to North Park can remedy that with just one night. Seeing the night sky in North Park can be a life-changing experience. Be sure to add a stargazing visit to your bucket list. Either for your next road trip destination or a long weekend away from the city. Only then can you fully grasp how important it is to conserve these wild places and keep our night skies safe.