At a Glance
- Elevation: 7,760 ft
- Milky Way Season: June–September
- Nearest Dark Site: 5 min from Town
- Moon Phase: New Moon = Best Viewing
Where to See Stars Near Ouray
Drive two miles out of town in any direction and you're under dramatically darker skies. The County Road 14 corridor toward Yankee Boy Basin is a local favorite for its southern sky view unblocked by canyon walls.
For the best Milky Way views, time your visit around the new moon in July or August. The galactic core rises in the southeast after 10 p.m. and is visible until after midnight from a dark site.
What to See in Ouray's Night Sky
In summer, the Milky Way, Scorpius, and Sagittarius are the headliners. Jupiter and Saturn are typically both visible without optical aid when at opposition, and the Perseid meteor shower peaks every August 11–13.
Winter brings Orion, the Pleiades, and Taurus to the zenith — and the cold dry air at 7,760 feet produces exceptionally steady seeing for telescope users.
Star Nights from The Lumberyard
Bring a red-light headlamp, a warm layer (temperatures drop sharply after sunset year-round), and a thermos. The Lumberyard Condos is a short drive from excellent dark sites, and your dog will love the late-night outing.
Book at ouraycondos.com for your San Juan stargazing retreat.