Goldendale Observatory State Park

Goldendale Observatory
State Park Heritage Site
Location in the state of Washington
Goldendale Observatory State Park (the United States)
LocationGoldendale, Washington, United States
Coordinates45°50′20″N 120°48′55″W / 45.83889°N 120.81528°W / 45.83889; -120.81528
Area5 acres (2.0 ha)
Elevation2,106 ft (642 m)
Established1973 observatory;
1980 state park
Administered byWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteOfficial website

Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site is an educational facility on the northern side of Goldendale, Washington, notable for its unusually large public telescope. The state park occupies five acres (2.0 ha) atop a 2,100-foot (640 m) hill.

Access is via a winding paved road through an oak forest. The site includes a small picnic area, interpretive center, amphitheater, and the observatory.

There are several telescopes on-site, including portable Dobsonians, a permanently mounted Hydrogen-Alpha solar telescope, and the primary instrument; a 24.5-inch reflector which is housed in the South Dome. The facility receives 30,000–40,000 visitors annually. In 2022, the Observatory reopened after a lengthy renovation process.