Great Basin Astronomy Festival 2026
The Great Basin Astronomy Festival (Sept 10‑12, 2026) offers a weekend of free, volunteer‑run night‑sky programs in Great Basin National Park. Core activities include Ranger Astronomy Programs, guided tours of the Great Basin Observatory (a 27‑inch research‑grade telescope), and nightly Telescope Viewing/Star Parties. Hands‑on sessions feature Milky Way Photography workshops, Astrophotography instruction, Solar Telescope & Crafts for families, and Art in the Dark. Guest speakers from NASA, the University of Nevada‑Reno, and the University of Utah discuss black‑hole research, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Telescope Array Project. Social events include "Astronomy on Tap" with Caltech scientists and pub trivia at the Bristlecone General Store. The festival emphasizes volunteer participation, advance registration for observatory tours, limited parking, and accessibility accommodations for ranger programs, solar crafts, and constellation talks. Attendees are advised to bring red‑light headlamps, warm clothing, and camping gear, as campgrounds fill quickly.
Register for entry or booths
Venue Map and Hotels Around
Baker - Great Basin National Park, Louisiana, USA