Land's End Observatory

Land's End Observatory is a historic stone lookout on the rim of Grand Mesa in Colorado, built not for telescopes but for the panoramic view over western Colorado and eastern Utah.

About Land's End Observatory

Despite its name, this is a scenic overlook rather than an astronomical facility - a rustic-style building constructed from basalt stone with hand-sawn wood shingles, perched at 10,500 feet on the rim of Grand Mesa, Colorado's highest mesa.

History

The observatory was built in 1936-37 by the United States Forest Service and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), with help from two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) side camps. It reflects the rustic architectural style found in national park and forest buildings of the era. Land's End Road itself was built between 1933 and 1934 by 200 unemployed World War I veterans as part of the CCC's Depression-era relief programs. As of 2022, the observatory building was closed and boarded up.

Location & getting there

The site sits on the Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway, reached via the partly gravel Land's End Road, about 10 miles from Colorado State Highway 65.

Visiting Land's End Observatory

The outdoor viewing area remains accessible for the panoramic views, though the building itself was closed and boarded up as of 2022. Check current Grand Mesa National Forest conditions before visiting, especially in winter.

See your named star from here

Land's End Observatory isn't equipped with telescopes, but its 10,500-foot elevation and remote high-mesa setting make for some of the darkest, clearest night skies in western Colorado. If you've named a star through Star Register, this is the kind of spot where a stargazing app or portable telescope can help you find it - check the catalogue for its exact coordinates.