Best Observation Deck Gilbert Near Me

4worldlovers: Additional telescopes supplied by members of the East Valley Astronomy Club are available for free public viewing, plus an astronomy related talk in the adjoining public library at 7:30 PM.

Minimum of $40 donation. Organized youth groups working on astronomy awards may be eligible for fee waiver.

From time to time the observatory is open for special events and solar viewing.

We ask that viewers do not physically touch the telescope or eyepiece (it is tempting for viewers of all ages) because the telescope is always moving by computer control, and touching will cause the image to shake.

Please refrain from using flashlights or looking at your cellphones during your visit to the observatory. The best viewing is obtained when your eyes are “dark adapted”. We use red lights to assist your night vision, and looking at bright lights will instantly cause your eyes to react and lose the ability to more easily see fainter objects.

The observatory staff will choose objects that are available for viewing that evening. We will try to see several objects during an evening, but that is dependent on the number of people waiting in line.

Please feel free to stay and watch our educational videos on the patio as you wait.

Ask our volunteers any astronomy related question that is on your mind, but please be respectful of other guests who are waiting to view.

4worldlovers: This event closes the park’s main roadway, Summit Road, to motor vehicle traffic during these times and the park’s roadways are reserved for non-motorized activities such as walking, cycling, jogging, hiking, etc.

On the 4th Sunday of every month is Silent Sunday, and all-day (5 a.m. to 7 p.m.) road closure into the park.

All vehicles must turn into the Activity Complex and park there. They may hike, bike, stroll on the roads without fear of traffic from public vehicles. Tower workers, City staff and emergency vehicles may be on the roads at any given time, however.

On the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, there is a shortened Silent Sunday (5 a.m. until 10 a.m.) with the summit road closed at the 1.0 mile marker.

​ This different closure allows visitors to access some trailheads and picnic areas in the lower areas of the park otherwise inaccessible on the 4th Sundays.

Additionally, San Juan Road is closed except during the first full weekend of each month, when it is open all day Saturday and from 10 a.m. to close on Sunday. All of the above are regarding the Central Avenue entrance to the park.

At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation and consists of three mountain ranges - the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Additionally, the roadways throughout the park are a favorite for bicyclists.

Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park that is available to the public. Accessed by both hiking trails and Summit Rd., the lookout is popular with tourists and locals, who want to get an unobstructed panoramic view of the Valley.