Sunspot Solar Observatory

Lavonne Murphy-Guzman

2023-12

I enjoyed the solar eclipse in September 2023!! Excellent setup, events, things to do, etc. It was the perfect place for this special occasion. You could tell that the people working the event really wanted to be there. So much fun!! Thank you.

Carl Carlson

2024-04

The visitor center and museum are quite interesting. Lots of good information about the sun and the solar system. The walk around the grounds was pleasant but a bit underwhelming. The observatory was not open for touring when I was there.

Hannah

2023-12

We came the day after Thanksgiving, and it was busier than you would think! The staff was very friendly, and there was still a tour even though the observatory was not in operation that day. Will advise you are driving to the top of a mountain. It is cold and windy. It is self-guided walking outdoors between building exhibits, and there is a person led tour between 12 and 2 at the observatory. Check the site for details. There is a nice store, and it supports the funding for renovation and upgrade of the site. Clean restrooms. Overall, it was a great visit, and I would recommend it to anyone.

John Sterling

2024-04

Really cool to see the telescope. The view from the mountain was really incredible as well. The visitor center has some pretty deep displays. More than I'd seen in other places. Definitely look through the displays. The video was a little high level. Interesting but if you know much about astronomy skip the video and look at the displays. The guided tour gets you into the telescope room and that was cool.

Pandaman Kush

2023-11

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Brandon Whittemore

2023-08

Nice area. There is a lot of history most people aren't aware of. The visitor center was nice. Keep in mind that this is over 9000 ft in altitude and you need to walk a little.

Philip Keightley

2023-05

My wife and I really enjoyed this. The views are amazing. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They have a small museum and gift shop. The gift shop has some unique items that change color in the sun. They also have a guided tour of the telescope that explains how it functions. We will be back the next time we pass through.

Julie Schlichte

2023-05

Great walking tour (self guided), only $5 a vehicle, cute gift shop, museum, and friendly staff. Be sure to check out the scenic overlook. The actual telescope is only available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and needs reservations. Beautiful area and nice drive up.

Brian Teng

2024-01

You don't get to see anything in the sun but it is s a beautiful drive through Lincoln Forrest to get here. Solar spot observatory highway was marked with signs of planets from Neptune all the way to the Sun to give you sense how close you are getting. When we left passing Neptune, I couldn't help but feeling we were sailing into space, the final frontier, to boldly explore new worlds. If you are new to New Mexico, I think it'd be cool to start from here if possible.

Richard Whittaker

2022-05

Really cool place. It was very inexpensive - only $5/person. They had a small interactive museum, and some very easy walking paths leading up to the telescope. It's a nice drive and a beautiful area.

Jonny Denn

2023-05

Was a great stop on our trip. Very informative and it has some of the best views I've ever seen. Worth the tour, which was I believe $5 per vehicle. Inside has some very cool exhibits and things to check out.

Sarah Cebra

2024-02

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Larry Kime

2020-05

The drive was better then the destination. The valley was very hazy and the facility had a worn out about to close feel about it. The 2 staff members on site were both nice and helpful. The seemed lonely up there. Ask about the mercury bearing if you go. The engineer in me found that to be interesting.

Cruising with the Clemons

2022-05

What an amazing place! Being inside the telescope was amazing. The floating platform resting in 160 pounds of mercury is absolutely unbelievable! So cool to see sun spots live as they were monitoring them! The history and work they did and still do there was fascinating to learn about.

Sarii Rubio

2023-11

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M G

2020-05

Very informative and friendly staff. My friend is handycap so the security guard was nice enough to drive us up alittle bit closer to the telescope. The scenery road getting to this place is all worth it.

Patricia Brown

2024-02

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Meredith Sarko

2023-08

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Amanda G. Rogers

2022-05

Fun place to visit! They have an interactive area where you can learn about the observatory and try out some hands-on experiments. The self-guided walk around the grounds was nice and it's pet friendly, so bring your leashed dogs!

MrGoat Travels

2019-05

Super cool place to visit, highly recommend you call first to see if the tower is open during the time the staff is working inside. The grounds are beautiful and the Vista view is breathing taking.

Karl Vandeventer

2022-05

Very interesting day trip. Call ahead to see if there are any tours on the day of your visit.

Noah Chumos

2023-08

A little out of the ways coming from cloudcroft since the speed limit is 35 but the scenic byway to Sunspot is beautiful. The solar observatory was ran by these two super sweet ladies and were helpful at explaining what all the museum had to offer as well as the trail around the place. $5 entry fee for museum and 1/2 mile trail is worth the admission. The museum had lots of great information and interesting interactive stations. Great place to go!

Anshuman Bhatia

2020-05

Cool little gem of a place! If you are into light, the sun and the stars and are in the area. The drive in and out is also beautiful with the signed scale solar system. Once you are there, it’s a $5 charge per car which is reasonable. There is a slightly dated but informative museum and then a 1/2 mile trail that you walk. This takes you around all the old out of use buildings and takes you to the one remaining functioning telescope. Inside you can see the scientists at work, if they are , and read about the very cool building. There is a small gift shop and clean bathrooms as well.

Michael Waters

2023-05

It is an interesting site with a small museum and gift shop. The views are amazing.

Kevin Caputo

2023-05

Beautiful view and fun tour. Definitely a fun stop in the area.

Handy Andy

2022-05

Here's a Photo Sphere. Does not do it justice the beauty of the land. Be wary they close relatively early but staff were really kind.Definitely pack a sweater during the winter but if you're an out doors or space person, being up here is priceless

Angelica Acosta

2020-05

One of those places everybody should visit sometime in their lifes! Loved it!

Lori Brown

2023-07

Knowledgeable, friendly employees. Fun spot to visit.

Garland

2023-09

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Kat Hibbard

2020-05

Staff and telescope and museum were Awesome!!! We had one staff memeber who was at the large telescope and told us everything about it and answered questions. He was wonderful with kids.