Sunriver Resort is spread across 3,300 acres of high-desert forest and meadow, well away from city lights, in the first destination in Oregon to be officially designated as an International Dark Sky Place. The Resort’s elevation and clean, dry air make for exceptional stargazing. For a closer look, the Oregon Observatory at Sunriver Resort is the largest public observatory in the U.S. and a NASA Partner Destination, with more than a dozen telescopes for exploring everything from planets to distant galaxies.

Friday nights come with a guide. Beginning October 2, interpreters from the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory lead stargazing sessions in The Backyard, using a green laser to point out notable constellations overhead. Starting October 16, guests can also enjoy interpreter-led planetarium shows indoors at Sunriver Resort, offered each Friday at 5 pm and 5:30 pm.

Late fall and winter bring some of the year’s best nights to look up. Pour something hot, head out to the Great Meadow or a patio hot tub and give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust. From early October to the New Year, these are the nights worth circling on the calendar.

Oct. 4 | Saturn at Its Brightest
Saturn reaches opposition, making the ringed planet especially bright and visible throughout the night.

Oct. 5-11 | Cascade Astronomy Festival
The Cascade Astronomy Festival brings a week of speakers, solar viewing and telescope tours across Central Oregon. On October 8, experience solar viewing through specialized telescopes at the Sunriver Observatory starting at 2 pm, followed by a tour of the nighttime telescopes.

Oct. 10, Nov. 8 & Dec. 8 | New Moon Nights
With no moonlight to compete with the stars, these are some of the season’s darkest skies. Settle into the Great Meadow and look for star clusters, nebulae and the Milky Way.

Nov. 4-5 & 11-12 | Taurid Fireballs
The Taurids are known for occasional, spectacular fireballs. Find an open stretch of sky and watch after dark.

Nov. 16 | Mars & Jupiter at Dawn
Set an alarm to wake up before sunrise and look east as Mars and Jupiter appear close together in the morning sky.

Dec. 13-14 | Geminid Meteors
One of the year’s most visible meteor showers peaks under dark skies. Bring a blanket to The Backyard at Sunriver Resort and watch for shooting stars.

Dec. 23 | The Full Moon
Trade the star map for a camera as the full moon illuminates the winter landscape.

Plan Your Stargazing Stay

From Friday night sessions in The Backyard to the Geminids in December, the season offers plenty of reasons to stay up late at Sunriver Resort. Book your stay and explore the Oregon Observatory at Sunriver Resort during your visit.

After Dark: Fall and Winter Stargazing at Sunriver Resort

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