Cosmic Campground is one of many sites on the Gila NF where night sky photography is at it's best. Late May - late October are the best times to see the Milky Way and get some premium photos.

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 10 certified IDA Sanctuaries in the world. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. For more information on dark skies or the International Dark Sky Association -http://www.darksky.org/. The CCIDSS offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky, and often hosts “star parties” in cooperation with the partner group “Friends of the Cosmic Campground.” This site is situated where there nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away, and across the state line in Arizona. . Night vision is necessary to enjoy the night sky. If you look at white light from either your flashlight or your cell phone you will not be able to enjoy the wonders of the natural night sky for 20-30 minutes. In order to respect your fellow star gazers the Forest Service recommends: No parking on the observation/telescope pads No camp fires on observation pads Use a red filter over your flashlight lens Try to arrive before dark so that your headlights won’t distort your night vision Quiet times (no generator use) between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. CCIDSS is a primitive campground with minimal site amenities including an information kiosk, a pit toilet, and four concrete telescope/observation pads. Currently, there is very minimal shade available however, future planning developments intend to erect a shade pavilion as well as improve individual campsite amenities as funding comes available.

Cosmic Campground

This is a small campground on top of a hill, therefore great for stargazing! It is dispersed camping (yea, free!) and has two vault toilets. The bathrooms/toilets were well kept and not super stinky like in some places.  There's gravel parking great for RVs, and plenty room beyond that for tents. However, there is NO shade, so beware the summer afternoon. Perhaps because of this there was hardly anyone there, but that's makes for a quiet, unintrusive stay. Also, there are some free range cows, so watch out for cow patties.

Hilltop dispersed camping

Primitive campground with 1 bathroom.
5 designated drive up spots for camping as well as more possible dispersed sites out in the meadow. Several fire rings hint at possible tenting sites.
The wilderness that surrounds the site and lack of lights truly make the night sky magical. 
Check campground schedule for guided star gazing, they have telescope nights! 

And it’s free!
Watch out for cow poop.

THE place for star gazing!

Fires are currently banned and the vault toilets are locked due to the pandemic but this is still a great spot to view a pristine night sky. The area surrounding is also littered with hot springs, hiking trails, and an abandoned mining town. We will definitely be returning. Cattle were free roaming nearby but caused zero issue. There are concrete pads at the south end of the grounds for telescopes and tri-pods. For those who are concerned, Verizon signal was full bars here.

Great primitive campground 

I have stayed here multiple times and love it. Both times I drove past the telescope pads and went up the hill and slept in a tent. Only a few other campers each time I stayed. Awesome view of the stars and the Milky Way. Plenty of wood for a fire and multiple fire pits. I stayed in June of 2019 and July of 2020 and rain was a bit of an issue. I would stay here again

Great place

The stars were amazing at this campsite.  Not much coverage.  You must use red light at night.

I can see stars

This campground has been designed for those who love the night skies or use a telescope.  It been desidnaded as one of the darkest night skies in North American campground.  Very peaceful,  all size RV good. There are no services except for 2 very clean toilets. There are about 6-7 designed RV spots with tables and fire ring and probably another 6-7 spots near campsite on approaching road. This is a Free campground.  I had 3-4 bars on my Verizon.  Nearby hiking trails.

This is a dark night sky campground 

Amazing spot, we were working our way out of the state through Gila and stopped here for a night. We took a small dirt road off the main gravel entrance and found a superb spot at the end. Drive was tight so a small vehicle is recommended, 2wd was fine. Stars were as stated, luminous. 

Would go again if I could. 

This Campground is set up for dark sky &amp; telescope enthusiasts. 

Dark Sky campground 

This is a great spot for tent, trailer or RV campers. There are a handful of trailer/RV spots in the actual camp ground loop with plenty of room for tents in the center. There is a vault toilet that is clean and stocked with toilet paper. If the actual campground is full there are plenty of camp sites in the surrounding areas.

Great Spot

Cosmic campground is a dark sky sanctuary. When the sun goes down, it goes down! The stars in sky are so stunning - it felt like I could reach my hand up and grab a chunk of stars right above my head. It was a very magical and humbling experience. The campground itself was maintained. Very primitive. There’s no running water, no trash disposal, pit toilets, barely any cell service…very primitive - which is exactly what I wanted for an escape. Met some amazing folks too- great time. I love, love, loved it here. 

Absolutely magical

This is an amazing camp for stargazing. Nice sites, fire pit and picnic table, not much privacy, but there weren’t many people here in the winter. There are toilets, but no garbage. Surprisingly great cell coverage too. Barbed fence around campground to protect from coyotes, bears, etc. 

Pressed up against the stars

Love the peacefulness here.  Stars put on quite a show!  It's a bit cold at 5,350' in January though. 

Sublime Stars, Cold, Internet

Clean pit toilets, beautiful sky views, quiet. I parked in one of the main spots with picnic tables but if you keep driving there are more spots secluded away from the bathroom! Happy :)

Love it!

Beautiful skies and plenty of privacy. I was there on a night with no clouds and a new moon and it was mind-blowing!

Loved it!

Great campsite , usable bathrooms
 . Its in a little valley so theres tons of hikes around the campsite .
Good cell service with verizon .
Also theres a ranger station about 20 minutes down the road past glennwood that has a WATER spout. Went there after hours and used it to fill up no problem . 

Great Campground

Got my unmodified Airstream in no problem. No At&amp;t service for 30 mins from East and for over an hour from west so FYI. 

Amazing campsite but no At&t service so FYI  

Loved camping here! There are about 6 spots when you drive in and around the bathrooms. If you go farther in there are many more sites away from the crowd. It was quiet and peaceful camping spot. All the sites were clean. No camp fires available. 

The night sky is amazing. We woke up at 3am for the best Milky Way view. 

There are cows that graze the land. They were very vocal. 

We didn’t want to stay near the bathrooms. Recommend a camping toilet and traveljanes from Amazon for woman. 

Amazing Star Viewing & Camping

We stopped for a quick, one night stay after a day trip to the Gila Catwalk with intentions to return. Very clean and quiet campground with amenities in great condition. We were not prepared for how little shade is available so it was quite warm once the storm passed. Next time we will be sure to plan for that. 

Great Overnight Stay

We came out here to enjoy NM for the weekend so we stopped here to enjoy the views and the night sky, I’m amazed how few people are out here! If you have this place on your bucket list of places to stop, do it! It’s beautiful.

Heaven on earth!

Not many spots. Had to squeeze in between a couple people. I’d say there are about 20-25 spots in total if you don’t mind being a little close. What amazing 360 views of the sky. You feel like you are in a globe.