Astronomy Field

Had a great time celebrating my son's 19th birthday at the Astronomy Field in Jamestown. We went on a 2 mile hike (Accidentally!!!!) by taking a wrong turn on a path, in the dark!!! It would have been helpful if there had been a better map with an X where we were parked, and maybe 2 arrows pointing to the 2 destinations (the field and the overlook). We went right, which said 2 miles, but we figured the fields was at the end it. We should have gone left, which would have brought us right to the field. Luckily, after walking for about a mile and a half, we ran into other hikers who helped us find our way back! Once back at the main entrance, we found the special astronomy field (it's a "dark sky park"). We stargazed, for I don't know how long! Time stands still when you look up at the stars! It was breathtaking!!!

Beautiful! So many stars after the sun went down! Peaceful and perfect for doing some star gazing away from the city lights!

Stars, wildflowers, butterflies and bunnies galore…WOW🤩

A must see for star gazing! The best night sky view. 1st night we parked up in the field, the bugs were pretty bad, so the next night we parked in the parking lot and had no issues with bugs. We saw meteors. I could see the Andromeda galaxy and the milky way thru binoculars is amazing!

Nice, well maintained little observatory field on a hill on the outskirts of Pickett State Park. There is a power connection available on the south end, and you can pull your vehicle through the gravel lot and up onto the field to park and set up your rig. I have caught a few chiggers here in the high summer when the grass was tall, but usually it is mowed short and the bugs aren't a big problem. Just be aware. There is significant horizon block to the north (trees), but otherwise clear views to the horizon or very near it all around. The sky is quite dark here, about as good as you'll find anywhere east of the Mississippi. There is no ambient light around except from a farm some distance across the highway. Vehicles will come and go to see the canyon trail, but that's in the shared parking lot below the hill and from your perch up top their headlights, etc. won't disturb you. There is no restroom or water on site, and no camping at the field itself.