Apache Point Observatory sits high in the Sacramento Mountains, using the dark skies above Cloudcroft for astronomical research. The site is known for its research telescopes and for the clear, dry conditions that make this part of New Mexico unusually good for observing.
Visitor access is limited and should be checked in advance, but the observatory still makes sense as a science-minded side trip from Cloudcroft or Sunspot. Even when tours are not available, the drive through the forest and the broader astronomy landscape around Sacramento Peak help explain why the area matters.