Cosmic Campground

Cosmic Campground sits in the Gila National Forest in far western New Mexico. It was designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2016, the first on National Forest land anywhere in the world, meaning the sky is essentially free of artificial light pollution in every direction. There’s no lodge, no facilities, and nothing to do during daylight, but that’s the point.

What to Do

The reason to come is stargazing. A cleared, roughly 40-acre viewing area sits open to the horizon on all sides, with a few concrete telescope pads for more serious equipment. On a clear, moonless night, especially during summer, this is as dark as skies get. A handful of primitive camping pads let you post up for the night, and dispersed camping is available in the surrounding forest if the main sites are full.

How Much Time to Spend

This is not a quick roadside stop. Cosmic Campground sits deep in the Gila National Forest, well away from most other major destinations. Plan to arrive well before dark. Campsites are first-come, first-serve, and arriving early also keeps headlights from disrupting people already stargazing. There is not much reason to come during the day, and cell service is limited or nonexistent. At minimum, stay for a few hours after sunset when the sky is at its darkest, but camping overnight makes more sense. If the campground is full, dispersed camping is available elsewhere in the surrounding national forest. You may lose the campground “amenities”, but you will still be under some of the darkest skies in the country.

Getting There

From Alma, drive about 8 miles north on US-180 to a Forest Service sign between mile markers 37 and 38 (watch for the “Friends of the Cosmic Campground” markers). Turn off, cross a cattle guard, and follow the gravel road 1.3 miles to the site, passable in any car in dry conditions. Camping is dry: no water, no trash service, pack out everything you bring. The nearest real services are in Silver City, about an hour and a half southeast, so arrive with food, water, and any supplies you’ll need.

The Cosmic Campground is out of the way and hard to get to, but the effort is worth it for the stargazing experience!