From Washington to you
Goldendale Observatory
Goldendale Observatory · Klickitat County · public observatory, State Parks
A state-park observatory in the hills above the Columbia that Parks says houses one of the nation’s largest public telescopes.
Washington State Parks lists Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site at 1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale. Parks says the observatory sits in the hills above the Columbia River and houses one of the nation’s largest public telescopes. The official park page prints the site at 45.83868027° N, 120.8151398° W.
Parks is known here for science programs and dark skies. Afternoon programs use filtered telescopes to look at the Sun. Evening programs show planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies when weather allows. Reservations are required to enter the visitor center and observatory. The grounds may be walked without a show booking.
This card uses the Parks description of the telescope and programs. It does not add an opening year that Parks does not print on the park page. The source below is Washington State Parks.
- Science / Strange Washington
Sources (1)
government · Tier S
Washington State ParksGoldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site
Last reviewed: September 21, 2026
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