The stone Puebloan structures at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico have been preserved as part of the US national park system, and the site earned designation as an International Dark Sky Park in 2013. The light pollution controls established to protect the night sky above Chaco Canyon mean visitors can experience the starry nights as the Ancestral Puebloans did centuries ago.

A World Heritage Site that boggles your mind, this community had very advanced technology and understanding of astronomy ahead of its time. The society flourished and then vanished. Its deeper history remains a mystery, with plenty of speculation among anthropologists. It’s a fascinating place.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park has long been considered by many night sky enthusiasts to be one of the best places in America to stargaze. Today visitors can experience the same dark sky that the Chacoans observed a thousand years ago. The protection of dark night skies is a priority at the park not only for the enjoyment of star-gazing visitors, but for the natural environment as well. Nocturnal wildlife relies on darkness for survival. Check out the park’s website for more information.