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
Upcoming Dark Sky Events Along the CDT
Find a Dark Skies event near you along the Continental Divide to join our community for a night or two of stargazing, hiking, and community.
Dark Sky Party on the CDT
Aug 1-2, 2026 • Marshall Pass, CO
Join us under some of the darkest skies in the country for two days of guided stargazing, hiking, and community along the Continental Divide. Whether you’re a stargazer, hiker, photographer, or simply someone who appreciates a sky full of stars, this party is for you.
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.
More News from CDTC
GAOA Trail Crew Completes 24 Miles of Maintenance on the Gila National Forest
CDTC’s first GAOA-funded trail crew completed 24 miles of maintenance on the CDT in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest. See what they accomplished.
What Is the Continental Divide? A Complete Guide + Map
The Continental Divide is the mountain crest that decides whether water flows to the Pacific or the Atlantic. Learn where it runs and why it matters.
Colorado 14ers on the Continental Divide Trail: A Hiker’s Guide
The Continental Divide Trail crosses just one Colorado 14er — and a few more sit within a half-day’s hike. Here’s every fourteener on or near the CDT.