Ready to swap your living-room ceiling for 10,000 stars? On June 21, the sun sets late, the Milky Way rises early, and Highland Mary Lakes turns into Colorado’s biggest planetarium—no ticket scan, just a short hike from your Durango RV Resort basecamp. Whether you’re packing juice boxes, a DSLR, or a lawn chair, this guide shows you how to land the perfect Summer Solstice stargazing party without guesswork or grumpy kids.
Keep reading if you want to…
• Sneak in an epic night sky before Monday’s commute.
• Learn the kid-safe route that still earns bragging rights.
• Pack the one gadget astrophotographers swear by (no, it’s not a telescope).
• Discover the “Plan B” dark-sky spots locals use when clouds crash the party.
Solstice magic is one scroll away—let’s light up the night.
Key Takeaways
• June 21 is the target night—the longest day means the shortest wait for stars
• Drive 1 hr 45 min from Durango RV Resort to the trailhead near Silverton
• Hike totals 4.5 mi round-trip with 1,200 ft up; doable for fit kids with breaks
• Trailhead kiosk gives a free permit; no cell bars after Silverton—download maps and text plans first
• Lakes sit at 12,000 ft; spend a night at the 6,700 ft resort to help lungs adjust
• Sunset 8:35 p.m.; full dark 10:28 p.m.—Milky Way shows in sky and lake mirror
• Bortle 2 darkness = more stars than most planetariums
• Pack layers, waterproof boots, red headlamps, cocoa, 7×50 binoculars, and a small stove (fires banned)
• Be off ridgelines by 1 p.m.; storms often hit afternoons—aim to camp by 3 p.m.
• Best camera start: 14–24 mm lens, f/2.8, ISO 1600–3200, 15-second shutter
• Backup star spots if clouds move in: Molas Pass, Haviland Lake, or the resort’s south loop
• Leave a dash note with exit date and park well off the road for search-and-rescue peace of mind.
Quick Stats for Busy Planners
Think of this section as your “At-a-Glance” dashboard before wheels roll. You’ll leave the resort at dinner time, drive 1 hour and 45 minutes past Silverton’s last cell tower, and park on a high-country shelf where marmots replace traffic noise. From there, a 4½-mile round-trip walk climbs 1,200 feet, topping out at 12,000-foot lakes that mirror the Milky Way so clearly you’ll swear someone installed fiber-optic cables in alpine water.
Timing matters just as much as mileage. Sunset glows at 8:35 p.m., nautical twilight fades by 9:34 p.m., and astronomical darkness settles at 10:28 p.m.—prime time for galaxy hunting. A free self-issue permit waits at the kiosk; just sign, stash, and shoulder your pack. If you need a deeper dive on local dark-sky etiquette, bookmark Stargazing near Durango for pre-trip reading, or skim Best Stargazing Spots for backup locations should clouds creep in.
• Driving time from resort: 1 hr 45 min
• Trail mileage/gain: 4.5 mi RT, +1,200 ft
• Elevation at lakes: 12,000 ft
• Cell service: none past Silverton—download maps
• Permit: free, self-issue at kiosk
• Sunset June 21 2025: 8:35 p.m.; astronomical dark 10:28 p.m.
Why Highland Mary Lakes Owns the Solstice
First, there’s the inky Bortle-2 sky—so dark your white-balance LED feels like a Broadway spotlight. Add a glass-calm tarn that doubles every constellation, and you’ve got a natural planetarium bigger than any dome can fabricate. Even smartphone sensors capture Andromeda’s fuzzy core up here, proving that location, not gear, is the true gatekeeper to celestial bragging rights.
Second, the basin’s near-treeline openness grants 360-degree sightlines, letting you pivot from Sagittarius’ star clouds to Cassiopeia’s throne without twisting a tripod leg. Wildflower meadows perfume the air, brook trout plink at the surface, and night-chilled granite keeps air currents stable—catnip for long-exposure photographers. Bring a 14–24 mm lens at f/2.8, ISO 1600-3200, and watch the histogram spike like fireworks.
A Double-Solstice Cultural Bonus
If you crave dawn chills to pair with your midnight thrills, tack on the Summer Solstice Tour at Chimney Rock the morning of June 20. Rangers there narrate how ancestral Puebloans mapped the heavens with sandstone spires, and you’ll witness the sun rise perfectly between those twin towers. It’s a 2-hour drive from the resort—just enough time for coffee and a podcast—before you’re climbing a short hill to greet the first rays.
Nab a late-morning nap back at your rig, grab lunch in Silverton, then point the headlights toward Highland Mary Lakes for part two of your solstice extravaganza. By stacking sunrise archaeology with midnight astronomy, you’ll bookend the longest day with the oldest sky stories on record. Think of it as a 24-hour masterclass in human-cosmic connection, delivered free by the universe and a modest gas tank.
The solstice sky is already rehearsing its grand performance—reserve your full-hookup site or cabin at Durango RV Resort today, chill the cocoa, and let our mountain-view basecamp handle the Wi-Fi, hot showers, and sunrise coffee while you handle the wonder; click “Book Now,” pack light, and we’ll keep the loop lights low so your star party doesn’t end when you roll back in. See you under the Milky Way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the trail to Highland Mary Lakes safe for kids after sunset?
A: Yes, the first mile follows a well-worn path with sturdy log bridges, but because there are no railings or lighting you’ll want to keep children within arm’s reach and use red headlamps. Most families who hike up in daylight plan to stay until full darkness, then begin the walk down at first light to avoid navigating the steeper sections in pitch-black.
Q: Do we need to bring our own telescope, or will there be shared equipment?
A: You’ll see everything from binoculars to 10-inch Dobsonians, and stargazers are famously generous, but nothing is formally provided. A pair of 7×50 binoculars is more than enough for beginners, while seasoned astrophotographers typically haul a lightweight tripod and DSLR rather than a bulky scope.
Q: Are there restrooms, water, or snacks available near the viewing area?
A: Once you leave Silverton there are no services; at the lakes you’re in true wilderness. Pack in all water and food, follow Leave No Trace for bathroom breaks, and carry a Wag-Bag if you prefer not to dig a cathole. You can restock drinks and kid-friendly snacks at the resort store before departing.
Q: How strenuous is the hike, really, and what about the elevation gain?
A: The 4½-mile round-trip gains 1,200 feet and tops out near 12,000 feet, which feels moderate to fit adults but challenging if you haven’t acclimated. Spending a night or two at Durango RV Resort’s 6,700-foot elevation helps most visitors breathe easier once they hit tree line.
Q: Can I drive my Class C or Sprinter van all the way to the trailhead?
A: The Million Dollar Highway is paved but narrow, and the last mile on Forest Road 4 is rutted; most camper vans and short Class C rigs do fine in dry weather, but larger Class A coaches should park at the resort and carpool in a higher-clearance vehicle or arrange a local shuttle from Silverton.
Q: What if afternoon storms roll in or clouds block the sky?
A: Thunderstorms are common from 1–4 p.m.; aim to clear exposed ridges by lunch. If night clouds linger, many locals pivot to Molas Pass or even the dimmed south loop of Durango RV Resort, both of which offer respectable Bortle-3 conditions without the alpine gamble.
Q: Is there cell service or Wi-Fi for a quick work check-in?
A: You’ll lose signal a few miles past Silverton, so send last texts and download offline maps before that point. The resort itself offers 20 Mbps uploads, perfect for Zoom calls or photo backups before you hit the road.
Q: Are red-light rules enforced for photographers?
A: While there’s no ranger standing over you, the stargazing community strongly expects red lights only; white beams ruin 20 minutes of night vision. Tape over phone flashes and set cameras to dim displays so everyone can enjoy the Milky Way.
Q: I’m sensitive to altitude—are there medical facilities or oxygen rentals nearby?
A: Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango rents portable oxygen units with 24-hour notice, and Silverton has a small clinic for mild altitude issues. If you begin to feel dizzy or nauseated, descend immediately; the resort’s lower elevation usually resolves symptoms within hours.
Q: Can I bring my leashed dog to the lakes and stargazing area?
A: Dogs are allowed on the trail and in the wilderness, but they must remain leashed to protect fragile tundra and wildlife. Remember to pack out pet waste, and note that paw pads can get cold and brittle on late-night granite slabs.
Q: Is there a guided group or astronomy talk we can join?
A: Formal ranger programs don’t reach this trailhead, but an informal star-party vibe develops each Solstice night. Amateur astronomers from regional clubs often set up gear and are happy to point out constellations, especially if you ask with a red light and a smile.
Q: Can retirees or mobility-limited guests enjoy the solstice without the full hike?
A: Absolutely; many opt for an early evening drive to Molas Pass overlook, which requires only a few steps from the car and still offers Bortle-3 skies. Others pair with friends who hike while they relax at the resort’s riverside chairs and stargaze there after 11 p.m. when loop lights dim.
Q: Where’s the best place to grab breakfast after pulling an all-nighter?
A: Coffee Bear in Silverton opens at 7 a.m. and serves legendary burritos and strong lattes; if you need something closer to “home,” the Durango Joes drive-thru by the resort starts pouring espresso at 6 a.m., which pairs nicely with a post-adventure nap.
Q: Are campfires allowed at Highland Mary Lakes?
A: No, fires are banned above tree line to protect fragile alpine ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk. Bring a backpacking stove for hot cocoa and keep insulating layers handy for warmth once the sun dips.
Q: How can I recharge camera batteries or a power bank overnight?
A: At 12,000 feet temperatures sap lithium quickly, so store batteries in an inner jacket pocket during the shoot, then top them off back at your full-hookup site the next day. Portable solar panels work but are slower due to the short morning window before you’re likely heading down.