One of the best ways to become immersed in the natural beauty of New Mexico is to camp outdoors under the stars. Here’s a campground that offers just basic camping amenities, but after the sun sets, you’ll be treated to some of the most spectacular night skies you’ve ever seen.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in northwestern New Mexico, and it was once home to the ancient Pueblo Peoples.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park/Facebook
The park protects and preserves ancient dwellings that date back to 900 A.D., and you'll want to explore these incredible ruins to learn more about the people who once called this desert home. Not only did the Pueblo peoples build some absolutely stunning homes, buildings, and worship sites, but there's also some evidence that they even paid close attention to the solar and lunar cycles, and kept close astronomy records.
To thoroughly explore the park, you'll want to plan an overnight stay.
Danny K/Google
You'll find the Gallo Campground just a mile from the Visitor Center, and it's situated at the base of the Gallo cliffs. The cost to stay here is just $15 per night - a bargain considering the star show you'll enjoy at night.
Campsites here are very rustic, offering just a few amenities.
Josephine Tidiane/Google
Sites include a picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. You'll also enjoy restrooms and drinking water. While the sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long, there are no hookups here.
Some of the campsites are located directly under a cliff dwelling.
Yosuke Kosaka/Google
You can spend the night just a few paces from the spot where ancient Pueblo people once laid their heads to sleep!

To reserve a campsite, visit Recreation.gov.

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The Chaco Culture National Historical Park is beautiful during the day, but as the sun starts to set, the real show begins.
Vincent Rebetez/Google
This park was designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2013.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park/Facebook
The absence of light pollution makes this park the perfect place for stargazing.
You can lie on your back, looking up at the starry sky all night long.
NPS
If you live in one of New Mexico's cities, you might not even realize how many stars are out here!
At night, this place is quiet and peaceful.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park/Facebook
Gazing at the vast heavens above, you'll feel overwhelmed with the spectacular beauty here.
Check out the Chaco Night Sky Program during your visit.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park/Facebook
The Night Sky Program is held at the Chaco Observatory every Friday and Saturday evening from April through October. You'll enjoy presentations from park rangers that cover archaeoastronomy, the history of the park, and the many constellations and planets visible here at night. The park has powerful telescopes that you can use, too.

Looking for another great place to camp under the stars? Check out this remote campground that’s an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

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