Fans of astronomy mark your calendars for a weekend of stargazing April 17-19 in Heppner, Oregon. Join the Morrow County Parks Department for its first ever Stargazing Event, at OHV Park in Morrow County. Bring the family for invited to gather for a weekend celebrating the beauty of Oregon’s astronomy friendly skies during Dark Skies Week, April 13th through the 20th. Located within the largest dark skies area in Oregon, the park offers exceptional nighttime viewing conditions.
Even though it’s not an officially certified Dark Sky Sanctuary, the park has taken measures to make the area dark-sky accessible by implementing responsible local lighting practices for optimal stargazing.
Feel free to bring your own telescopes, binoculars, and stargazing equipment, along with camping gear for a full outdoor and immersive night sky experience. In addition to open sky viewing, the weekend will feature astronomy presentations designed to help attendees learn more about the constellations, planets, and celestial events visible in the dark skies above Morrow County.
Reservations are required for event attendance and overnight stays.Participants must register for the event and secure accommodations in advance. A variety of overnight options are available, including: Full hook-up RV sites Standard campsites On-site cabins Modern restroom facilities and showers will be open and available for guests throughout the weekend.
During the day, visitors can explore the park’s many miles of scenic trails, perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Wildlife viewing opportunities add to the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the area. To preserve the quiet and immersive stargazing experience, the OHV main campground will be closed to ATV use during the event weekend. Full ATV access will resume on Mother’s Day weekend, May 8. Follow Morrow County Parks & Campgrounds on Facebook for up-to-date information on the event.