New Mexico skies are famous and beloved. Daily, we are treated to blue skies, magical sunrises, and dramatic orange sunsets. Turns out, our night skies are pretty special too, especially if you get to view them away from the intrusive lights of the city. Five sites in New Mexico have been certified as "dark" places by the International Dark-Sky Association. As well as being up to 99 percent free of light pollution, visitors to Dark Sky Parks are treated to ranger-led night sky programs that blend science, nature, and history. Craving some New Mexico stargazing? Head out to these amazing places ASAP:

1. Capulin Volcano National Monument

If you have been to northeastern New Mexico, you have probably seen Capulin Volcano, even if from a distance. It's an amazing natural wonder during the day. At night it becomes even more wonderful with nearly pristine sky-watching conditions.

View the Milky Way spread out over Capulin.

Park rangers at Capulin frequently hold "Park After Dark" events where they discuss the mysteries of the dark skies over New Mexico. Check the Capulin Monument Facebook page for upcoming star parties and dark sky events.

2. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

We aren't the first people to watch the skies. Evidence suggests that the ancient people who lived at Chaco watched the sun, moon, and stars too. Their skyward observations are reflected in the layout of their buildings, at their ceremonial sites, and in the petroglyphs they created.

Horsehead Nebula taken from Chaco Observatory

Today, Chaco's night skies and the park's observatory, draw visitors from around the world who come to see sky views rarely seen elsewhere. This wonder-filled dark-sky historical monument in New Mexico is a stargazer's best friend.

3. Clayton Lake State Park

Clayton Lake State Park is most well known for its preserved dinosaur footprints. At night, though, this park becomes a haven for New Mexico stargazers.

Did you know that Clayton Lake has an observatory?

The observatory's computer-operated telescope is cleverly tucked into a 12 x 16-foot building with a retractable roof. The telescope is connected to a remote television monitor so groups can see the starry images. This is one gorgeous little New Mexico state park you can't miss if you're hoping to catch a meteor shower or eclipse.

4. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

These mission ruins became a Dark Sky Park in 2016. The monument at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument contains the ruins of three Spanish missions. They were built in the early 17th Century when European missionaries came to spread Christianity to the native people living in the area.

The dark skies at Salinas allow for stunning night photographs. It is close enough to Albuquerque that it still gets some low-level light intrusion, but still, the park is a great place to explore the night sky. The park service often presents viewing parties and presentations on how our night sky differs from what the natives saw before the Spanish conquest.

5. Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary

The Cosmic Campground is 3.5 acres of prime stargazing, with 360-views of the night sky. Nestled down a dirt road in the Gila National Forest, the closest (significant) artificial light is more than 40 miles away, in Arizona. There are no ranger programs here, but local groups do hold star viewing parties at the campground.

If you are expecting the lush green camping often associated with Gila camping, don't. The primitive campground is a flat, dirt site. Campers set up a short walk from the main sky-viewing area which has hardened observation pads where people can set up telescopes. To keep the area viewing-friendly, headlights and white light are not permitted after dark. The campground is located 8 miles north of Alma, NM off NM Highway 180.

We know there are a lot of stargazers and amateur astronomers out there. Where is your favorite place to watch New Mexico's stunning dark skies?