As the song goes, “Deep in the Heart of Texas… the stars at night are big and bright.”
Experience the wonder of a truly dark night sky at Reimers Observatory, where stars, planets, and deep-sky objects shine brightly overhead. Located within Milton Reimers Ranch Park—the closest Dark Sky International designated Dark Sky Park to Austin—this observatory offers a rare opportunity to see the Milky Way and explore the cosmos without the heavy glow of city lights.
During this program, participants will:
- Stargaze through high-powered telescopes to view planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.
- Learn to identify constellations and hear cultural star stories from around the world.
- Take a guided night hike to experience the sights and sounds of a naturally dark environment.
- Discover how Travis County Parks and the Travis County Parks Foundation are working together to protect Central Texas skies from light pollution.
In order to maximize our experience, the group will split into two, with group “A” enjoying the night hike for 45 minutes, while group “B” will tour the observatory and stargaze! Then the groups will switch for the concurring 45 minutes.
The observatory is part of a parkland rich in history and natural beauty. Once privately owned by rancher Milton Reimers, the land was preserved through collaboration with the climbing community and purchased by Travis County in 2005 to prevent development. Today, Milton Reimers Ranch Park is the county’s largest park and a hub for outdoor recreation, including rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, birdwatching, and astronomy programs.
While light pollution from nearby Austin is steadily increasing, Reimers Observatory remains one of the best places in Central Texas to view the night sky in its natural state. For many visitors, the chance to see the Milky Way stretching across the horizon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Note: The observatory is open to the night air, so dress accordingly. Visitors are required to climb stairs to view through the 25-inch telescope. For the guided night hike, wear closed toe shoes. Bring a water bottle and a snack. If you have a red light or headlamp with a red light function, bring it along. If not, we will provide one for you. Please bring your binoculars!