Pine Mountain Observatory

Pine Mountain Observatory sits 34 miles from Bend, away from light pollution, and atop a mountain that’s 6,300 feet above sea level. That location, coupled with a variety of telescopes, have made it one of the region’s top stargazing destinations. There, on a clear night, visitors might spy stars, planets, comets, and other celestial wonders.

The observatory, operated by the University of Oregon Department of Physics, mostly conducts research and observes astronomical activity—but opens its doors to the general public on select Friday and Saturday nights each summer. Volunteers and on-site guides typically make their telescopes available for public use, and visitors can stargaze through a 24-inch Cassegrain reflector that dates back to 1967.

Note that you’ll want to turn off your camera’s flash and leave a conventional flashlight at home; both can wash out the sky and reduce visibility during use and for several minutes afterwards. Instead, bring a red flashlight specially designed for nighttime stargazing.

Want to keep the fun going after the observatory closes? Pitch a tent or park your RV at the Pine Mountain Campground just across the road. The campground opens in late May or early June (as soon as it’s accessible for the season) and remains open through the end of September; its sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee to stay the night.