Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands and also in North America. It is also one of only 14 certified IDA Sanctuaries in the world. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. The CCIDSS offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky for exceptional stargazing opportunities.
More like this: first-come in New Mexico · free in New Mexico · tent only in New Mexico
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | No fee for this campground |
| Dark sky | Inside Cosmic Campground, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year round |
| Forest | Gila National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations are necessary. All Gila NF camping is subject to the 14-day stay limit. |
| Fees | No fee for this campground |
| Rules | No parking on the telescope observation pads. No campfires on the telescope observation pads. Use a red filter over your flashlight lens. Try to arrive before dark to minimize light pollution from headlights. Quiet hours are (recommend no generator use) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 33.4799° N, 108.9229° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD6 - Luna Rx
25 mi from the campground · 2,156 acres
- PrescribedD3 Hagen Rx
28 mi from the campground · 5,757 acres
- PrescribedD3 Bear Rx
28 mi from the campground · 5,072 acres
- PrescribedD6 - Heifer Rx
31 mi from the campground · 3,116 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 39.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cosmic Campground, New Mexico
Worth a stop
- 6.8 miMineral Creek #201 Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.3 miKeller Trailhead (#619) Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.8 miWhitewater Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miKelly Camp4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, which overlaps Gila National Forest.
- inApache-Sitgreaves National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,110,688 acres
- inGila National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,389,394 acres
- 2.9 miBlue Range Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 29,106 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Mogollon Historic DistrictHistoric district · Mogollon · 9.4 mi
- Bear Mountain Lookout ComplexStructure · Mogollon Rim · 13.3 mi
- Bearwallow Mountain Lookout Cabins and ShedBuilding · Bearwallow Park · 14.8 mi
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary?
No. Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is first-come, first-served. No reservations are necessary. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary?
Nothing. Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is listed as free. No fee for this campground
Source: Forest Service
Is Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Year round.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary?
Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
Is Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary good for stargazing?
Yes. Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary sits inside Cosmic Campground, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What if Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pueblo Park Campground (8.1 mi, first-come), Bighorn Campground (11 mi, first-come), and Blue Crossing Campground (14.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby