Burn Ban

No fires permitted at any time.

Goldendale observatory building during sunset.
Lightning with purple clouds over Goldendale observatory.
Starry night sky over observatory building.
Mountain silhouette with golden hue sunset from the Goldendale parking lot.
Goldendale Observatory at night with Mars, Saturn and Jupiter in the sky.

Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site

1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale, WA 98620

Goldendale Observatory State Park, set in the hills above the Columbia River, houses one of the nation's largest public telescopes. Reservations are required to attend programs at this facility. See information below.

Rules

  • Day-Use Only
  • Dogs not Allowed
  • Fires not Allowed
  • Horses not Allowed

Appointment required

All visitors must make an appointment before visiting. Unscheduled visitors and large groups will be turned away. Available dates and times are automatically removed from the calendar as they become full. Make reservations online with our friend's group, Friends of Gorge Area Parks.

Park hours

On days of normal operations, park grounds close when visiting center closes. On all other days, grounds close at sunset.

April 1 - Sept. 30

Open: Thur. - Sun.
Solar Show: 3-5 p.m.
Evening Show: 9 p.m. - Midnight
Closed: Mon. - Wed. 

Oct. 1 - March 31

Open: Fri. - Sun.
Solar Show: 2-4 p.m.
Evening Show: 7-10 p.m.
Closed: Mon. - Thurs. 

Pet policy

Per a 2019 WAC revision, animals, including pets and emotional support companions, are not permitted to enter the building. Trained service animals are permitted upon satisfactory clarification of training as per State and Federal regulations.

Parking

Overnight parking or camping is not allowed.

Activities

Interpretive and Visitor Centers

Amenities

Automated Pay Station

Accessible Restrooms

ADA Buildings

Restrooms

Accessible Parking

Parking

Interpretive Opportunities

Observation Deck

Park features

Mountain View

Viewpoint

Rules

  • Day-Use Only
  • Dogs not Allowed
  • Fires not Allowed
  • Horses not Allowed

Appointment required

All visitors must make an appointment before visiting. Unscheduled visitors and large groups will be turned away. Available dates and times are automatically removed from the calendar as they become full. Make reservations online with our friend's group, Friends of Gorge Area Parks.

Park hours

On days of normal operations, park grounds close when visiting center closes. On all other days, grounds close at sunset.

April 1 - Sept. 30

Open: Thur. - Sun.
Solar Show: 3-5 p.m.
Evening Show: 9 p.m. - Midnight
Closed: Mon. - Wed. 

Oct. 1 - March 31

Open: Fri. - Sun.
Solar Show: 2-4 p.m.
Evening Show: 7-10 p.m.
Closed: Mon. - Thurs. 

Pet policy

Per a 2019 WAC revision, animals, including pets and emotional support companions, are not permitted to enter the building. Trained service animals are permitted upon satisfactory clarification of training as per State and Federal regulations.

Parking

Overnight parking or camping is not allowed.

Map & visitor guide

45.83868027, -120.8151398

Goldendale Observatory is known for informative science programs and vivid starry skies. By day, enjoy panoramic views of stunning scenery from all corners of the park. Within the historic observatory domes and expansive new classroom, afternoon and evening visitors can explore all the deep sky has to offer. Live telescope views are offered during all programs (weather permitting).

Afternoon programming

Visitors will learn about the surface features and inner workings of the sun and will even be able to take a glimpse using specially filtered telescopes. 

Evening programming

All questions about space can be answered by expert staff while viewing planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and other space objects.