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, set in the hills above the Columbia River, houses one of the nation's largest public telescopes. Reservations are required to enter the visitor center and attend programs. See information below.

Rules

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

Appointment required for visitor center and observatory

Visitors may tour the park grounds but must make an appointment to enter the visitor center and/or observatory. Unscheduled visitors and large groups will be turned away. Make reservations online with our friend's group, Friends of Gorge Area Parks. Available dates and times are automatically removed from the scheduling calendar as they become full.

Park and Visitor Center hours and Observatory showtimes

On days of normal operations, the park grounds close at the same time as the visitor center. On all other days, the grounds close at sunset. Hours and showtimes are as follows:

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 for visitor center and observatory

Visitors may tour the park grounds but must make an appointment to enter the visitor center and/or observatory. Unscheduled visitors and large groups will be turned away. Make reservations online with our friend's group, Friends of Gorge Area Parks. Available dates and times are automatically removed from the scheduling calendar as they become full.

Park and Visitor Center hours and Observatory showtimes

On days of normal operations, the park grounds close at the same time as the visitor center. On all other days, the grounds close at sunset. Hours and showtimes are as follows:

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.

Winter Schedule

Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.