Chiricahua National Monument Sunset & Night Sky - Saturday 10/10/2026
Trip Cost: $10
Chiricahua National Monument preserves towering rhyolite pinnacles, balanced rocks, and mountain landscapes shaped by volcanic forces in southeastern Arizona. Visitors explore scenic drives, hiking trails, and campgrounds beneath dark night skies - Chiricahua provides rich scenic views from all areas of the park. Rising between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, the monument supports diverse wildlife and protects a rich cultural history tied to Indigenous peoples, Apaches, Buffalo Soldiers, ranchers, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. See thousands of balanced rocks as you drive the 8 miles up to Massai Point, Echo Canyon, and Sugarloaf. Chiricahua is a premier birding area of the country.
Chiricahua National Monument is officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park due to its exceptionally clear and dark night skies. The park sits far away from major city lights and light pollution, features clean air and low annual precipitation, with nearly 90% of the park designated as wilderness, all of which combined to create perfect conditions for stargazing. We've scheduled the trip during a New Moon phase with 0% illumination to take advantage of night sky photo opportunities.
Learn more about Chiricahua National Monument here.
October 10 offers a rare, perfect-alignment opportunity for capturing the Milky Way because it falls exactly on a New Moon. However, because October represents the absolute end of the Northern Hemisphere's Milky Way core season, our shooting window will be brief, shifting into a dramatic vertical orientation low on the southwest horizon right after twilight.
The plan is to do a late lunch/early dinner in Willcox, arrive at Chiricahua early enough to take in the park's amazing sunset, then set up and be ready to shoot the moment twilight fades. The (Milky Way's) galactic core will drop below the horizon quickly with the prime core visibility window lasting from 7:15 PM to 8:30 PM.
Following our dark sky photography session, participants are urged to stay overnight at one of the hotels in Willcox rather than risk driving back to Green Valley in a fatigued state. Each participant is responsible for arranging his/her own lodging. Find links to Willcox-area lodging here.
In the morning, you're free to return to Chiricahua to take in the park's unique features during daylight hours (no admission fee or pass is required), visit Apple Annie's, or check out other Willcox-area attractions on your own before returning to Green Valley.
Important Note: Night sky photography etiquette involves respecting the darkness, preserving other people's night vision, and minimizing disruption in natural areas. Use of red lights (headlamps and flashlights), avoiding random shining, warning others before using a light, giving others space to set up, and maintaining a quiet environment by keeping your voice low and turning off camera and smartphone sounds are just a few of the tips necessary for a fun and productive night sky photo shoot. We plan to hold a Milky Way/night sky photography refresher class before the trip -- details will follow via email.
We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 12:15 PM for carpooling, departing at 12:30 PM. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and be sure to dress in layers. A hat, sunscreen and water are also recommended. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $25.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.
Darrell Rude will be our trip leader. Contact Darrell at 907-227-4244 or email at with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.
GVR requires that every person participating in club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs.
The last date to cancel for a refund is October 3, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.
If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Darrell as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.
NOTICE:
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement. To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.
We will no longer meet in the parking lot. We will meet in the GVR Photography Club where you will scan your GVR card confirming your eligibility to go on the trip. We’ll also review important/late-breaking information, pair up drivers and riders, provide driving directions, and give participants a chance to visit the restrooms prior to departure. Again, be sure to have your GVR card with you.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.