Colorado Night Sky Guide: Ideal places to view this month’s astronomical events
May 2, 2025
Astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers have a lot to look forward to this month, and Colorado offers prime locations for viewing upcoming night sky events.
For this non-comprehensive guide, local photographers shared some of their ideal clear-sky spots across the state, all of which are suitable for enjoying astronomical events.
The Event Lineup
All of the following events have been highlighted by publications, organizations and websites that specialize in astronomy. Unless otherwise specified, these are visible without any sort of aid, but according to High Point Scientific, binoculars and telescopes will allow for more detailed viewing.
According to a National Geographic article by Stefanie Waldek, The Beehive Cluster, a cluster of stars, will be visible in the west “just after sunset” on May 3. Waldek noted that Mars will be in the mix, which will give the cluster a hint of red.
According to Waldek, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, an annual event associated with Halley’s Comet, will reach its peak late May 5 into early May 6. According to Martin Ratcliffe and Alister Ling’s article in Astronomy Magazine, the shower will be active until May 28.
Waldek notes that viewers will see approximately 10 meteors every hour that leave short glowing trails across the night sky. According to a 2025 calendar on The Planetary Society’s website, it is expected that brightness from the moon will somewhat obscure the visibility of these meteor.
May 6 is Saturn’s equinox, which Waldek said occurs once every 15 years. With the help of an optical aid, viewers will see Saturn’s rings “disappear” due to the sun’s direct overtop angle.
On May 11, Globular Cluster Messier 5, or M5, will be in its highest position; Waldek described globular clusters as “densely packed groups of gravitationally bound stars” that have a “glittering spheroid shape.” It is recommended that viewers use a telescope for the best view.
Waldek’s article said another globular cluster, Messier 4, or M4, will be “well positioned” for viewing on May 28; like M5, it is best viewed with a telescope.
In addition to these major events, opportunities to view planets and the month’s full moon, in addition to faint celestial bodies, will be available throughout May. More information on these happenings can be found in Waldek’s article, as well as Ratcliffe and Ling’s article.
Viewing location recommendations
Colorado-based night sky photographers are frequently seeking out locations with the best views to practice their craft, and they are experts at knowing what makes a local spot suitable for capturing their subjects.
All the recommended locations are protected areas, many of which are known for their stargazing-friendly views. These areas each have their own guidelines and regulations that visitors should seek out and observe, and many of the basics can be found here.
Photographer Matthew Barroner shared several locations and resources to explore.
His list begins with the South Park region, specifically Eleven Mile Reservoir and Spiney Mountain State Park. He said this region has “dark skies particularly looking west.”
The Western Slope has what Barroner described as “ideal dark skies.” He listed the San Juans, Grand Mesa, Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, the Four Corners region and Mesa Verde as places for “immaculate stargazing.”
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is a site that Buena Vista-based Frankie Spontelli mentioned, and Barroner said it has “Internationally acclaimed dark skies” and a reputation for being a windy spot.
Barroner also mentioned Rocky Mountain National Park, specifically highlighting the summit of Trail Ridge Road. According to the Visit Grand County website, Trail Ridge Road is open at night, offers a clear view of the sky above tree line and has plenty of “pull-off spots.”
He noted that the road’s western sky views are the best, with Denver causing light pollution to the east.
Brandt Ryder, Randy Curtis and Spontelli also suggested Rocky Mountain National Park, with Curtis specifically mentioning the top as a good location.
For those seeking a full stargazing experience, Spontelli, who is also a hiking guide for Ground Up Adventures, noted that the company offers guided astronomy backpacking trips. More information on how to join one of these trips can be found here.
Additional Resources
Colorado’s International Dark Sky Places are known for their prime stargazing conditions, and Colorado.com has listed them here. Many of these locations were mentioned above.
Observatories across the state often host public viewing events centered around significant celestial moments. Those interested in attending events like this can often find them through dedicated observatory websites; local astronomical groups also tend to announce public events on their websites and social media platforms.
