This Colorado stunner takes the top spot by being a double whammy of greatness – it’s not just a national park, but a dark sky park too. Its dramatic landscape is a jagged explosion of craggy chunks of metamorphic rock pushed to the surface almost 30 million years ago, and it’s a magnet for mountain climbers.

We recommend camping in order to make the most of the park’s dark sky status, which is carefully preserved – all outdoor lighting devices use low-energy with shields that direct light to the ground.

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