Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at City of Rocks National Reserve?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, factoring in cloud cover, moon illumination, Bortle class, humidity, and atmospheric transparency. Above 70 is an excellent night. Below 40, conditions are poor. The score updates daily.
What makes City of Rocks National Reserve good for astrophotography?
City of Rocks earned International Dark Sky Park certification in 2023, and the reserve has no artificial lighting anywhere within its boundaries. The towering granite spires and rock formations near Almo, many of them landmarks along the historic California Trail, make for dramatic silhouettes against the stars. It sits close to Idaho's Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first gold-tier dark sky reserve in the country.
When is the Milky Way visible at City of Rocks National Reserve?
Core season runs April through October, with July generally considered the best month for Milky Way viewing in Idaho. The high desert here stays clear for much of the season, though afternoon thunderstorms can build in late summer.
