Arizona

Kitt Peak National Observatory is an astronomical research observatory located about 56 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona. It was founded in 1958. The Kitt Peak Observatory claims to hold the largest collection of research telescopes in the world. It remains the premier observatory of the southwest, and one of the best in the Northern Hemisphere. It is located on the Tohono Oodham Indian Reservation outside of Tucson, Arizona. Drive time from Tucson is about 90 minutes. The observatory is located on the 6,875-foot summit and the drive up the mountain is about a 12 mile distance with lots of pullouts to view and photograph the scenery of the Sonoran Desert. Kitt Peak is easily visible from Tucson and from various vantage points including the many mountaintops in southern Arizona.

You can bring a picnic lunch as there is a picnic area, but snacks and beverages are for sale at visitor center. Be sure to fill up on gas before you leave Tucson as the closest gas facility is 16 miles from the Kitt Peak Observatory. Some people prefer bringing a jacket or sweater as the mountain top is breezy and cooler than the desert.

Kitt Peak offers guided tours. They are open daily except holidays and more tourist information is available. There is a nightly observation program for only a limited number of people. An advance reservation from 2 to 4 weeks are suggested. There is a fee for this program. You can view live cam shots.

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