Oregon’s Magnificent Dark Skies

Look up in the sky after midnight and you might catch a glimpse of the Orionid meteor showers. The Orionid meteors come from one of the most famous comets, Halley, which is currently near the middle of its 76-year orbit around the sun. While the comet won’t make its appearance in Earth’s night sky until 2061, it leaves a trail of debris behind that our planet passes through every year, resulting in the Orionids.

Oregon’s Magnificent Dark Skies, some of the largest expanses of magnificent dark skies in the US. There are few experiences as humbling as staring into the cosmos. But while most of the stars above our cities and towns are obscured by the light we emit, it’s easy enough in Oregon to drive off into darkness to discover their greater beauty.

International Dark Sky Week, April 2-8, celebrates the wonders of the night sky, and raises awareness on light pollution.

The amazing Geminid meteor shower occurs every year from about December 4 – 30. which is firmly in what is typically Oregon’s rainy season.

Amateur astronomers have long gathered to celebrate Oregon’s magnificent dark skies. Founded in 1987, the annual Oregon Star Party (OSP), attracts up to 1,000 stargazers to the Ochoco National Forest 45 miles east of Prineville. OSP is considered to have the darkest skies of any major star party in the contiguous United States. Tentatively scheduled April 21-28, 2025.

Oregon DARK SKY TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Planetariums: Kendall Planetarium at OMSI (Portland), Chemeketa Community College Planetarium (Hayesville), Eugene Science Center Planetarium, Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater (Gresham)
Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast

Public Observatories: Pine Mt. Observatory (La Pine), Oregon Observatory (Sunriver), Haggart Observatory (Clackamas), Worthy Hopservatory (Bend), Carlton Observatory (Carlton). Carlton Bed and Breakfasts

The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary

The world’s largest ‘dark sky sanctuary’ is now in Oregon. A section of southeastern Oregon is now home to the largest “dark sky sanctuary” in the world. The area spans 2.5 million acres of Lake County. It was certified this month by DarkSky International, a U.S.-based nonprofit that aims to reduce light pollution.

International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) Certified Dark Sky Places:
Prineville Reservoir State Park Oregon’s first International Dark Sky Park
Sunriver Resort – Oregon’s First Dark Sky Place (Development of Distinction)

Space-Themed Attractions/Museums: Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (McMinnville), OMSI (Portland), and Eugene Solar System Trail where you can bike, run, walk, or skate along a 4.5-mile section (9 miles round trip) of paved path along the Willamette River discovering a scaled model of the sun and planets. Then you can visit Earth’s closest star, Proxima Centauri, and its exoplanet, Proxima b, located at the Eugene Science Center.
Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast

Cloud Cap Inn listed on Dark Sky Finder

Cloud Cap Inn is located at 6,000 feet elevation on the rouged northeast side of Mount Hood, and is listed on Dark Sky Finder. The air is exceptionally clear because of the altitude. There’s a light dome from Portland to the west, but the rest of the sky is very dark, with great views of Hood to the south.
Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast

The John Day Fossil Beds happen to lie under some of the darkest skies in the state, which you can experience from Wilson Ranches Retreat outside of Fossil, Oregon. You could even pull out a lounge chair and gaze right from their lawns and fields.

The Oregon Coast has some amazing dark skies, perfect for stargazing. So take a stroll at night discover the magic of the celestial world.

Meteor Showers, Eclipses, Quasars and More

Dark-sky adventures are about more than stars. If you time it right, you can also witness meteor showers, lunar and solar eclipses, and planetary conjunctions (also called alignments), which occur when two or more planets appear to be very close together in the sky.

Prospect Hotel is the closest Historic Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn, Dinner House and Motel to Crater Lake National Park

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority.

Although mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.