Kitt Peak National Observatory
An observatory on a mountaintop at 2,096 meters in the Tohono O'odham Nation, home to one of the highest-density collections of optical telescopes in the world. Night sky viewing programs are available.
Kitt Peak National Observatory was established in 1958. More than twenty telescopes stand on the summit, including the well-known Mayall 4-meter telescope, now used for the DESI dark energy survey, and the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. During the day, visitors can tour the visitor center, join guided tours, and enter the domes of the large telescopes. The Nightly Observing Program includes sunset viewing, dinner, and telescope observation. Spots are limited, so advance booking is required, and the price is relatively high. The observatory is on the Tohono O'odham Nation, and the mountain road is about 19 km long, with the nearest gas station far away. It is about a 90-minute drive from Tucson, and the summit is more than 10°C cooler than the city, so bring a jacket.
Opening hours
Visitor center approx. 09:00–16:00 (night programs booked separately)
Nearby sights
- Saguaro National Park – Tucson Mountain District (West)
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Old Tucson
- Gates Pass
- Titan Missile Museum
- Mission San Xavier del Bac
- Tubac
- Sentinel Peak (A Mountain)