Visit Goldendale Observatory

New Construction

PLEASE NOTE: Goldendale Observatory State Park will soon be undergoing the construction of an almost entirely new and much larger facility.

PARK CLOSURE: The Goldendale Observatory will be closed March 1, 2018 through June of 2019 for maintenance and upgrades. During this time, solar and dark sky interpretive programs will take place at the nearby Stonehenge building (located at 87 Stonehenge Drive) beginning April 5, 2018. Stonehenge hours will be 1 to 11:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Check the Alert Center on the State Park site:

state park site

Fall-Winter Schedule

October - March
Friday-Saturday-Sunday 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Solar Show at 2:00 PM
Evening Sky Show at 6:00 PM

For the best experience and to ensure full staff availability, visiting at show times is highly recommended, and will avoid interruption of a presentation in progress.

The facility closes promptly at 9:00 PM.

DAYTIME PROGRAM

Understand our nearest star - the Sun!
Daytime solar observation through specialized and safely -filtered Solar Telescopes are available during the 2:00 PM Solar presentation.

Show duration one to two hours.

The Sun copyright Bob Yoesle

EVENING PROGRAM

Andromeda nebula M31 copyright Tim Wildoner

Informative evening presentations begin at 6:00 PM and may include viewing through the telescopes of star clusters, the moon & planets, nebulae, and galaxies, as time and weather conditions allow.

Show duration approximately 2 - 3 hours.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Individual and small group drop-ins welcome at showtimes. Please Contact the Observatory to arrange visits for groups larger than 10.
Respect fellow patrons by arriving for scheduled programs on time. Presentations and viewings will not restart nor be extended for late-comers and the facility will not remain open past closing.
Objects viewed through facility telescopes may include those mentioned in "What's Up."

Be sure to also check the Weather & Moon when making plans to visit.
DRESS WARMLY, NO MATTER THE SEASON: The telescope domes are not climate-controlled and presentations often take place outdoors. Observatory Hill can be cold and windy, even in the summer.

Admission is Free. However, a Washington State Parks Discover Pass is required to park on-site. These are available online and at all Washington State Parks, including the Observatory. FOGO members can choose a discount on their yearly Discover Pass.

Location & Driving Directions:
1602 Observatory Drive
Goldendale, WA 98620 USA

Latitude: 45 degrees 50 min 20.1 sec North
Longitude: 120 degrees 48 min 49.8 sec West
Elevation: 2100 feet

From US-97:

Once within Goldendale city limits, turn onto East Broadway St / Rt 142 (at the 76 service station). Proceed for 1 mile into town.
At the flashing traffic signal, turn right onto N Columbus Ave. Proceed North for half mile.
Follow the Observatory sign and keep right onto Observatory Drive. The Observatory is at the top of the hill.

PLEASE STAY ON THE PAVED ROAD