Q: Are you still closed for COVID-19?
A: The Observatory reopened in a partial capacity on April 24th, 2021. Normal operations resumed on July 2nd, 2021; face masks are required for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Please monitor our visit page for always-accurate facility status updates.
Q: What is the cost/What are your hours/How do I get there?
A: Answers to these and similar questions may be found on the visit page.
Q: Do I need a reservation? And does a reservation grant me exclusive access?
A: Drop-in visits are welcome for groups of five or fewer. Larger groups will always require an appointment. Normal reservations do not guarantee exclusive facility access and are intended to prevent scheduling overlap with other groups. Paid Special Use of the facility does provide exclusive access and the application process is detailed here.
Q: May I show up whenever I like? What about after hours?
A: It is highly recommended that visitors plan around observatory program schedules. Arriving in the middle of presentations can be disruptive for staff and other guests and the facility does not remain open after hours. Please consult the visit page for showtimes.
Q: May I sleep, camp out, or hook-up an RV at the Observatory overnight?
A: No. Goldendale Observatory is not a camping park, but there is an oversized parking space near the main gate which can accommodate RV's and buses during regular operating hours. For camping, please consider nearby Brooks Memorial or Maryhill State Parks. Local motels, such as ThePonderosa and Quality Inn & Suites, are also available.
Q: May I bring my pet to observatory shows?
A: Only trained service animals are allowed inside the building - no exceptions. Visitors bringing animals will be asked for verification of training, as per State and Federal laws. Misrepresenting a service animal will result in a fine and/or other penalties. Individuals with animals indoors, off leashes, or leaving waste will be ticketed by Police or Park Rangers.
Additionally, the outdoor evening visiting experience, which entails large crowds in dark locations, can be frightening to animals and is not considered "pet friendly."
Q: Are the observatory programs kid-friendly?
A: Kids have fun at Goldendale Observatory, but guardians should keep a watchful eye on young hands as there are antiques and sensitive instruments in the facility. Additionally, young children may have trouble staying awake for the entirety of evening shows.
Q: Is the Observatory upgrade project complete?
A: Yes! While some exhibit work is still anticipated, the facility permanently reopened in its new configuration on February 28th, 2020.
Q: What do you do during bad weather?
A: Indoor multimedia presentations and equipment demonstrations still take place during poor viewing conditions.
Q: May I bring my own telescope or camera and set it up during observatory shows?
A: Absolutely, but please choose a location that does not obstruct visitor foot traffic.
Q: Are there indoor restroom facilities?
A: Yes, and they are accessible directly from the parking lot.
Q: I have purchased and named a star; can it be viewed during Observatory programs?
A: Perhaps. Purchased stars are unofficial and limited to faint stars which can be challenging and time consuming to locate, even by experienced telescope operators. We ask that individuals wait until the end of the show to attempt these viewings. Please confirm that the star is up during the month in question by determining what constellation it is in.
Q: Will Observatory staff discuss my religious questions or statements?
A: No. The Goldendale Observatory and its satellite campuses are secular and publicly funded and staffed State Park facilities. Staff are not permitted to discuss or endorse any individuals or groups privately or publicly held faith, religious beliefs, or philosophy. Doing so would be unconstitutional under state and federal law, which prohibits public entities from favoring one belief system over another, or favoring religion over nonreligion. Please be considerate of others who may hold other or no systems of belief.
Note: Astrology, as well as ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and other mythologies may be discussed as they relate to modern and historical astronomical terms, constellations, etc.
A: The Observatory reopened in a partial capacity on April 24th, 2021. Normal operations resumed on July 2nd, 2021; face masks are required for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Please monitor our visit page for always-accurate facility status updates.
Q: What is the cost/What are your hours/How do I get there?
A: Answers to these and similar questions may be found on the visit page.
Q: Do I need a reservation? And does a reservation grant me exclusive access?
A: Drop-in visits are welcome for groups of five or fewer. Larger groups will always require an appointment. Normal reservations do not guarantee exclusive facility access and are intended to prevent scheduling overlap with other groups. Paid Special Use of the facility does provide exclusive access and the application process is detailed here.
Q: May I show up whenever I like? What about after hours?
A: It is highly recommended that visitors plan around observatory program schedules. Arriving in the middle of presentations can be disruptive for staff and other guests and the facility does not remain open after hours. Please consult the visit page for showtimes.
Q: May I sleep, camp out, or hook-up an RV at the Observatory overnight?
A: No. Goldendale Observatory is not a camping park, but there is an oversized parking space near the main gate which can accommodate RV's and buses during regular operating hours. For camping, please consider nearby Brooks Memorial or Maryhill State Parks. Local motels, such as ThePonderosa and Quality Inn & Suites, are also available.
Q: May I bring my pet to observatory shows?
A: Only trained service animals are allowed inside the building - no exceptions. Visitors bringing animals will be asked for verification of training, as per State and Federal laws. Misrepresenting a service animal will result in a fine and/or other penalties. Individuals with animals indoors, off leashes, or leaving waste will be ticketed by Police or Park Rangers.
Additionally, the outdoor evening visiting experience, which entails large crowds in dark locations, can be frightening to animals and is not considered "pet friendly."
Q: Are the observatory programs kid-friendly?
A: Kids have fun at Goldendale Observatory, but guardians should keep a watchful eye on young hands as there are antiques and sensitive instruments in the facility. Additionally, young children may have trouble staying awake for the entirety of evening shows.
Q: Is the Observatory upgrade project complete?
A: Yes! While some exhibit work is still anticipated, the facility permanently reopened in its new configuration on February 28th, 2020.
Q: What do you do during bad weather?
A: Indoor multimedia presentations and equipment demonstrations still take place during poor viewing conditions.
Q: May I bring my own telescope or camera and set it up during observatory shows?
A: Absolutely, but please choose a location that does not obstruct visitor foot traffic.
Q: Are there indoor restroom facilities?
A: Yes, and they are accessible directly from the parking lot.
Q: I have purchased and named a star; can it be viewed during Observatory programs?
A: Perhaps. Purchased stars are unofficial and limited to faint stars which can be challenging and time consuming to locate, even by experienced telescope operators. We ask that individuals wait until the end of the show to attempt these viewings. Please confirm that the star is up during the month in question by determining what constellation it is in.
Q: Will Observatory staff discuss my religious questions or statements?
A: No. The Goldendale Observatory and its satellite campuses are secular and publicly funded and staffed State Park facilities. Staff are not permitted to discuss or endorse any individuals or groups privately or publicly held faith, religious beliefs, or philosophy. Doing so would be unconstitutional under state and federal law, which prohibits public entities from favoring one belief system over another, or favoring religion over nonreligion. Please be considerate of others who may hold other or no systems of belief.
Note: Astrology, as well as ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and other mythologies may be discussed as they relate to modern and historical astronomical terms, constellations, etc.