WE NEVER CANCEL OUR PROGRAMS DUE TO WEATHER. There is a saying about weather in Colorado, that if you don’t like it, wait 10 minutes and it will be different. Visitors have had to wait in their cars due to pouring rain at the beginning of our program & by the end, the sky was clear enough to set up our telescopes for some incredible viewing. We take the weather each moment as it comes & do the best that we can do for our visitors’ safety & enjoyment.
CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT OPENS MAY 15, 2025 & PROBABLY WILL CLOSE OCTOBER 15, 2025.
NIGHT SKY PROGRAMS
The San Juan Stargazers partner with the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association & the San Juan National Forest to present monthly Night Sky Programs. If you are not a member of the San Juan Stargazers or CRIA, you will need to book a reservation (through recreation.gov) on the Chimney Rock National Monument website. There are 60 slots available for each date. Walk-ups are accepted the night of the event, if there is room, which there usually is.
All Night Sky Programs are on Friday Evenings. Times vary due to changing sunset times. We usually open the gate about an hour before sunset which allows time for guests to check in, stop at our fabulous Gift Shop & get situated at the chosen location for the program.
There are 3 possible locations for the Night Sky Programs depending on the weather.
If the weather is wonderful & there is no possibility of lightening, we will present the program in the upper parking lot which has a fantastic view of the night sky. As the night progresses the view of the Milky Way increases to an overhead panorama. One comment about lightening: Colorado has a high fatality rate for lightening. It, not only strikes downward, but can also travel to the side of a mountain. If there is any possibility for lightening which also is attracted by metal telescopes, we have to select doing the program in our amphitheater which is at a lower safe location or if needed, it can be held indoors.
It is also significant, that Chimney Rock, valuing Dark Sky Designation does not have electricity in the upper parking lot.
Before TELESCOPE VIEWING we have an educational program to better prepare you for what you will be viewing and increase your knowledge of Astronomy, Archeology, Geology etc. THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN. Some topics include: The Ancient People at Chimney Rock & their Connection to Astronomy, COMPARING THE BUILDINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF CHIMNEY ROCK WITH THE BUILDINGS OF XIDI, CHINA WHICH IS A TOWN IN CHINA WHERE PEOPLE LIVED DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD. IT IS FASCINATING TO COMPARE THE TWO CULTURES WHICH WERE TAKING PLACE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE GLOBE at ABOUT 1050 A.D. We also may talk about The Lunar Standstill which happens every 18.6 years and is currently taking place. We may present Astronomical Terms OR An update from the James Webb Space Telescope. We also have special shorter talks about Galaxies, Galaxy groups, Colliding Galaxies and Categories of Galaxies. Nebula is another big topic. Someone may give a talk on different kinds of Nebula and their important role in the life cycle of a Star. Astronomy is fascinating. CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT presents so much to learn, we have speakers qualified in many areas. We hope to get you interested so that from now on you will be a life-long learner of Astronomy,Science, EVERYTHING.
We also have a special speaker before the telescope viewing time, when the sky is VERY DARK. YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE HOW DARK IT CAN BE. THAT IS WHY WE TREASURE DARK SKY DESIGNATION. This speaker will take you on a naked-eye Tour of the Night Sky pointing out everything that is noticeable from constellations to planets etc. etc. This will help you whenever you look at the night sky in the future. It is a feature that you will treasure. You will also be given a map of the night sky to help you locate stars & constellations. IF OUR SPEAKER IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE STAFF WILL HELP OUR VISITORS TO LOCATE SOME OF THE SAME OBJECTS. There are many books available to help people develop skills to find objects in the Night Sky.
We do our best to make interesting & educational programs in addition to our special & unique telescope viewing.
HIKING AROUND AT NIGHT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WE ARE ON A HIGH QUESTA WITH DEEP DROP-OFFS IN ALMOST ALL DIRECTIONS. WHEN YOU ARE IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT, YOU MAY ONLY WALK FROM YOUR CAR TO THE PROGRAM AREA, THE TELESCOPE VIEWING AREA, THE RESTROOMS & THEN BACK TO YOUR CAR TO LEAVE.
PLEASE DO NOT JEOPARDIZE YOUR SAFETY.
SPECIAL EVENTS
JUNE 7&8 (SATURDAY & SUNDAY) LIFE AT CHIMNEY ROCK 10 AM TO 4 PM. THERE ARE MANY ACTIVITIES DONE BY THE ANCIENT PEOPLE SUCH AS YUCCA POUNDING, ROCK ART, BASKET WEAVING, ATTLATL THROWING, THE LUNAR STAND-STILL & MORE. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to visit with so many visitors. THIS IS A FUN, WONDERFUL TIME FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS.
AUGUST 11 (MONDAY) & AUGUST 12 (TUESDAY) PERSEID METEOR SHOWER VIEWING– CHECK-IN 7-9 PM, SUNSET AT 8:07, VIEWING AT YOUR ASSIGNED LOCATION FROM 9 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT. NO WALKING AROUND. $10/ visitor.
A Night to Remember!!