Capture The Milky Way From Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction and Western Colorado have a lot to brag about. For real, the Colorado National Monument is worth bragging about. So is the Colorado River. So is the Grand Mesa.

We get a lot of credit for our MTB trails, wild mustangs, and world-famous Palisade peaches. What about Colorado's night sky? Did you know the Grand Mesa is one of the best places in Colorado to see the Milky Way?

Why Grand Junction Is a Great Base for Stargazing

Grand Junction’s night sky is one of the best places in the state to enjoy gazing at the stars. Seeing the Milky Way with your own eyes is a great way to reconnect with nature. Add the sounds of a mountain lake or the Colorado River to that night sky view, and it is a Colorado experience that is hard to beat.

What makes the Grand Junction area a great place to see the Milky Way? Factors like low humidity and higher elevation mean crisp night skies with lots of stars. Multiple areas with low light pollution make it possible to visit multiple dark-sky locations in just an hour.

The Best Places Near Grand Junction to See the Milky Way

Read More: What is the Largest State Park in Mesa County, Colorado?

• Grand Mesa: The world’s largest flat-top mountain (11,237 feet) is one of the best options in the state for viewing the Milky Way. The view from Lands End Observatory is incredible, as is the sight of the Milky Way from the shores of Island Lake, Baron Lake, or a spot at Weir and Johnson Campground.
• Vega State Park: Grand Junction is about one hour from Vega State Park, at an elevation of about 8000 feet. Stargazing from the campgrounds or cabins is a great way to view the Milky Way. The time is now, with the best views coming during phases of the new moon, now through September.
• Colorado’s Rabbit Valley: Stay down on the valley floor and view the Milky Way from Mesa County’s Rabbit Valley, just 30 minutes west of Grand Junction off I-70. Camping is incredible (and much easier with a high-clearance vehicle). From this spot, your astrophotography will include sandstone formations in the foreground.

When to Go for the Best Milky Way Views

The Milky Way comes into view by Memorial Day through September. The weeks of the new moon help make even more stars visible and offer more light for photography. Night owls will find the best time to view the core of the Milky Way is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Be sure to check the weather on our station app before heading out. The monsoon season in July and August can bring cloud cover out of nowhere. It may not rain, but it will obstruct your view.

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How to Prepare for Your Stargazing Trip

Essentials for stargazing include a comfy blanket or a zero-gravity chair. Headlamps with a red-light setting will help you see stars instead of waiting for your eyes to adjust to the white light every time you turn them on. Do not forget a sky map/sky guide and that camera tripod for Milky Way photos. Keep scrolling for more stargazing locations from around the state.