Dark Skies Along the Continental Divide
The CDT is a gateway to some of the most pristine night skies in the continental United States. Explore our free Dark Skies Guide, learn to navigate by the stars, and join us this May in Pie Town, NM for the Second Annual Dark Sky Party on the CDT.
Created in partnership with Dark Sky Land, Inc. and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Second Annual
Dark Sky Gathering on the CDT
May 15–17, 2026 • Pie Town, New Mexico
Join us under some of the darkest skies in the country for three unforgettable days of guided stargazing, expert-led sessions, and community along the Continental Divide. Whether you’re a stargazer, hiker, photographer, or simply someone who appreciates a sky full of stars, this gathering is for you.
Hosted by CDTC in partnership with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Dark Sky Land, Inc., and the Community of Pie Town.
WHEN
May 15-17, 2026
Two nights of stargazing + daytime sessions
WHERE
Lester Jackson Campground
Located in Pie Town, New Mexico
ACCOMMODATIONS
Camping with access to portable toilets. Bring your tent or sleep under the stars! More info
Friday, May 15 | 4pm - 8pm - Community Dinner & Evening Presentation (Pavilion)
- 4-6 pm: Arrival and Community Dinner
- 7:00 pm: Opening Presentations and Introduction to the Astro-Wilderness Corridor
Friday, May 15 | 830pm - Community Astronomy Circle (Pie Town Campground)
Visit each interactive station:
- Dark Sky Lands: Sensory Lab -Featuring artworks by Gaby Tobiro.
- Community Tent with hot cocoa
- NRPE Activity: What do the dark skies look like to you?– Katie Mancilla
- Spiritual and Cultural Significance –Importance of Cosmos to Native Communities (Corey/ El Malpais Storytellers)
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory Planetarium Station -Bob Birket Presentation inside the Planetarium
- Dark Sky Land International- Information Booth (Gina Pearson)
- Center of the Circle: Astronomers and Telescopes for star viewing and lectures
- DSL Installation with Dr John Keller + Anrika Rupp (two telescopes)
- Zack “Beekeeper” Stockbridge- CDTC Thru hiker & Astronomer, and others.
Saturday, May 16 | Early Bird Star Gazing, Community Yoga, & Breakfast
10:00 am: Dr. John Keller– PhD Astronomer and Astrophysicist, As a Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Director of the Fiske Planetarium, Dr. Keller is renowned both nationally and internationally for his signature participatory workshops. This workshop will be an interactive session to introduce participants to the amazing world of astronomy and the cosmos
Saturday, May 16 | 10am - The Amazing Cosmos Workshop
10:00 am: Dr. John Keller– PhD Astronomer and Astrophysicist, As a Professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Director of the Fiske Planetarium, Dr. Keller is renowned both nationally and internationally for his signature participatory workshops. This workshop will be an interactive session to introduce participants to the amazing world of astronomy and the cosmos
Saturday, May 16 | 1pm start - Afternoon Sessions & Workshops
1:00- 2:00 pm: Star Parties to designation– how you can protect the skies where you live-CDTC
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- Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lightning. https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-principles/
2:15 pm: SW Bird Alliance– Birds and dark skies, Brian Dolton from the SW Bird Alliance will introduce participants to our avian friends around the region while also sharing the importance of the night skies to our avian friends and relatives.
3:30 pm: Vatican Observatory – Heaven and the Cosmos – Rob Lorenz, S.J. Outreach Officer, Vatican Observatory Rob Lorenz joins us again to share how the Cosmos and the Catholic Church are deeply connected.
Saturday, May 16 | 4:30pm start - Top of the World Visit, Sunset Hikes, Astronomy Circle, & PIE!
4:30: Community Visit (limited capacity) to Dark Sky Land at Top of the World- sign up during event
5:30 pm: Group Dinner and Community Pie!
6:30: Sunset hike around the campground
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Community Movie
After 9:00 pm: Community Circle of Astronomy & Star Gazing
Center of the Circle: Astronomers and Telescopes for star viewing and lectures (timed topics based on star opportunities? ) DSL has two Local Astronomers signed up with their telescopes for sharing community observations
Interactive stations around the circle.
Sunday, May 17 | 10am - Service, Goodbyes, & Local Activities
10:00 am: Non-denominational Service in the Park- Canyon Meltzer (Datil, NM)
Noon: Saying Goodbye
Things to do on your own:
Very Large Array /VLA (Magdalena, NM)- Saturday and Sundays (9-4 pm) $10
Hosted by CDTC in partnership with the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, Dark Sky Land, Inc., and the Community of Pie Town.
Camping and Accommodations
CDT Thru hikers arriving in Pie Town during this time are encouraged to attend.
Events will take place at the Jackson Park Campground in Pie Town, NM, where free camping is provided. The campground has water and port-o-johns will be available. This is a mere few blocks from the infamous Toaster House, nearby the world famous Pie-O-neer Cafe, and the nourishing Gathering Place where community members and travelers alike find nourishment and fellowship.
A night sky worth protecting
Dark skies are part of what makes the Continental Divide and the Continental Divide Trail feel so big, wild, and unforgettable. They invite us to slow down, look up, and connect—with place, with one another, and with the many cultural stories and traditions that have lived under these stars for generations.
But truly dark nights are getting harder to find. Light pollution can disrupt wildlife, waste energy, and dim the sense of wonder that draws people outside in the first place.
The good news: protecting dark skies is something we can do together—by choosing dark-sky-friendly lighting at home, keeping campsite lights low, and leaving the night as natural as we found it.
Explore the dark skies of the CDT
Want help finding a great place to start? Explore our map of officially designated dark-sky places along the Continental Divide and near the CDT corridor—sites recognized for exceptional night skies and community commitment to protecting them.
Use it to spot stargazing-friendly destinations, learn what makes each location special, and plan a visit that supports both the night sky and the landscapes we share.
The night skies of the Continental Divide Trail- at your fingertips
Please answer the following questions to help us understand what sort of dark sky materials and events would best support our community.
Stay Connected with the CDT Community
Get trail updates, volunteer opportunities, and dark-sky stories; plus simple ways to protect the places you love.
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