Tri-City Astronomy Club
of Southeastern Washington

This is the Tri-City Astronomy Club's own dark-sky star party, which takes place in a remote area of Eastern Oregon. From here, the Milky Way is bright, and there are so many stars that it can be hard to pick out familiar constellations. Through a telescope, galaxies and nebulae that you can't see at all from the city reveal interesting details. You don't need a telescope to attend though! Club members are happy to share views through their own scopes.

Everyone is welcome to attend, and there is no charge or registration fee.

Check the current weather at the site.

NOTE: The Blue Mountain Star Party site is primitive with no water or power.

Leave town on I-82 East, and in Oregon, merge onto I-84 East towards Pendleton. In Pendleton, take exit 209 for Hwy 395 South (Pendleton-John Day Hwy), and turn right at the bottom of the ramp. Follow Hwy 395 for 47.3 miles.

While passing through Pilot Rock, stay on the main road. About 7 miles outside of town, you will come to a junction with Hwy 74. Keep left to continue following 395.

When you arrive at the junction with Hwy 244, turn left towards Ukiah. In town, turn right onto Camas St, and zero your trip meter. Camas St crosses a bridge and turns into Soap Hill Rd. Follow the road for 6.4 miles to a gravel driveway on the right. (You will pass a forest interpretive center one mile before that.) Follow the driveway through the trees to a large open space. You will know you are in the right place if you see a 20-foot tall pile of sand. The drive should take about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

It's about a three-minute walk from the viewing site to the Twin Ponds campground to the east. The vehicle entrance to the campground is 0.2 miles farther down the road, also on the right. (If necessary, there is another campground 1.1 miles past that on the same side of the road.)

At a dark-sky event like this, the general public is welcome to join us, but we will have certain expectations of attendees. Read about the light rules on our star party page.

If you have to arrive after dark, park well down the road, and walk in. You could stop at the second campsite or the forest interpretive center, but turn off your lights right away. Even from a mile away, they will interrupt the star party.