Goldendale Observatory State Park

Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site crowns a hill above Goldendale, Washington, drawing tens of thousands of stargazers each year to one of the largest public telescopes in the United States.

About Goldendale Observatory State Park

Goldendale Observatory is an educational facility and state park occupying five acres atop a 2,100-foot hill on the northern edge of Goldendale, Washington. Opened in 1981, it was built specifically for public astronomy, and a winding paved road through oak forest leads visitors up to the site, which also includes a picnic area, an interpretive center, and an amphitheater.

Telescopes & research

The park's main instrument is a 24.5-inch reflecting telescope housed in the South Dome, one of the largest telescopes in the country regularly made available to the public. The site also has a permanently mounted Hydrogen-Alpha solar telescope for daytime viewing and several portable Dobsonian telescopes used during public programs. The observatory reopened in 2022 after a lengthy renovation.

Location & getting there

Goldendale Observatory sits on a hilltop in south-central Washington State, reached by a paved road through oak woodland, with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.

Visiting Goldendale Observatory

The park welcomes an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 visitors a year for both daytime and night-sky viewing. For current hours, program schedules, and tickets, check the official Washington State Parks website before visiting.

See your named star from here

With a 24.5-inch reflector on hand, staff at Goldendale Observatory can point their telescope at the precise coordinates of any star named through Star Register. Name a star or search the catalogue to find the coordinates of one already named.