Lake City Star Fest 2026

WITNESS THE INFINITE

June 12–13, 2026 | Lake City & Slumgullion Pass, Colorado

Hinsdale County boasts some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. This June, the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy (LFVC), in partnership with Lake City Skies, invites you to a free community celebration of our celestial heritage. From the historic streets of Lake City to the high-alpine peaks of the San Juan Mountains, come see why we are Colorado’s premier astro-tourism destination.

Lake City preserves a rare and disappearing resource: true natural darkness. Our region offers a Bortle Class 1 experience and a designated International Dark Sky Park. As one of the highest-rated stargazing locations in the nation, observers can see the zodiacal light, airglow, and countless deep-sky objects with the naked eye. This makes Star Fest an unrivaled, immersive stargazing or astrophotography experience. Whether you are a professional astrophotographer chasing the galactic core or a family looking for your first glimpse of the Milky Way, our festival provides an unparalleled window into the cosmos.

Our two-day immersion is designed to engage both the heart and the mind. We begin on Friday with Arts & Atmosphere, where the local creative spirit of Lake City meets the quiet beauty of the twilight sky through gallery socials and guided painting. This transitions into Saturday’s focus on Science & Stars, featuring a deep dive into the physics of the universe with interactive workshops led by Colorado’s top scholars. From the canvas to the telescope, the Lake City Star Fest offers a holistic journey that celebrates the night sky as both a masterpiece of nature and a frontier of scientific discovery.

Register

Check back soon to register!

Star Fest Schedule

Why Lake City for Astro-tourism?

The Slumgullion Advantage: At 11,530 feet, the air at Slumgullion Pass is thin, dry, and exceptionally clear. Our remote location in the San Juan Mountains shields us from the "sky glow" of major cities.

Expert-Led Discovery: We partner with leading Colorado astronomers and scholars to provide deep-space insights you won't find anywhere else.

Community & Conservation: Beyond the telescopes, learn about our nocturnal ecosystems and how LFVC works to protect the wildlife and heritage of the Lake Fork Valley.

"In Lake City, we are blessed with extraordinary skies. While 80% of North Americans can no longer see the Milky Way from their homes, here, it is our nightly heritage."

— Phillip Virden, Lake City Skies

Become a Steward: Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer sign-up will open soon!

The Lake City Star Fest is a community-powered event. We are looking for passionate individuals to help support this gathering.

Dark Sky Ambassadors: Ensure a safe and pristine viewing experience at the Pass. You will assist with parking and traffic flow, manage guest navigation, and maintain our "White-Light Free Zone" to protect everyone’s night vision.
Stellar Stewards: Be the supportive backbone of our "Arts & Atmosphere" and "Science & Stars" sessions. Roles include event setup, greeting and check-in, bartending, and providing essential tech support for film screenings at the Arts Center and Mountaineer Theatre.
Science Assistants: Help facilitate hands-on discovery and interactive science activities for kids and families during our Saturday sessions at the Lake City Community School.
Star Fest Floaters: For those who like to do a bit of everything! Stay flexible to fill in gaps, assist with event transitions, or help with final breakdown and cleanup.