OMSI Hosts 3 Free Stargazing Nights at 2 Oregon State Parks Through September

Q: When and where can you join Oregon's free 'star parties' to see the cosmos this summer?

You can join Oregon’s free OMSI star parties this summer at **L.L. Stub Stewart State Park in Buxton** and **Rooster Rock State Park**, with programs generally starting at dusk and telescope viewing running from **9 to 11 p.m.** The summer schedule cited for these public events includes a **Solstice Celebration on Saturday, June 6, at L.L. Stub Stewart**, a **Summer Night Sky program on Saturday, July 18, at L.L. Stub Stewart**, a **Perseid Meteor Shower Watch on Wednesday, August 12, at both L.L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock**, and an **Equinox Celebration on Saturday, September 12, at L.L. Stub Stewart**. At Stub Stewart, the gathering is typically held at the **Hilltop Day-Use Area**, with overflow parking at **Clayhill Day-Use Area**. The events are hosted by **OMSI, the Rose City Astronomers and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department**. They are free to attend, but drivers need a **$10 state park parking permit or an annual pass**. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, water, snacks, warm layers, and, if possible, binoculars or their own telescope. Organizers ask people to use **red flashlights** to protect night vision and dark-sky conditions. Because these events depend on clear skies, the best advice is to **check OMSI’s star party webpage on the day of the event for weather cancellations or schedule updates**.

3 articles · Updated · KATU · Jul 13

Three OMSI star parties are scheduled for July 18, Aug. 12 and Sept. 12, with dusk presentations followed by telescope viewing from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Two Oregon state parks—L.L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock—will host the events, where volunteers will provide telescopes, star maps and astronomy app recommendations, weather permitting.
Visitors pay no event fee but still need a $10 state park parking permit, and organizers recommend arriving early because parking is limited and parks close by 11:45 p.m.
OMSI and park staff urge guests to bring chairs, blankets, snacks, water and warm clothing, and to use red flashlights or red tape on phones to preserve dark-sky viewing.