Stargazing
at
Black Butte Ranch
Enjoy the brilliance of Central Oregon's incredible night sky together with a local naturalist and educator. You'll hear an ancient story about the stars, locate constellations, and see visible planets, the moon, and other astronomical objects through a 6" telescope. We have a kids-sized scope and binoculars for you to borrow too! Each group will receive and learn how to use a sky map, specialized to the month of viewing. Tours begin about a half hour after sunset and last approximately one hour. You'll learn about and experience our incredible universe, all in the gorgeous setting at Black Butte Ranch!
Starshine also offers special Summer Solstice and Full Moon Tours. If you've been to one our Stargazing Tours, these tours offer something new and special! The Summer Solstice Tour puts a special focus on the solstice with an ancient story told on solstice nights and facts about this special night of the year. The Full Moon Tours focus on our nearest neighbor in the sky, our Moon. You'll hear an ancient story with the Moon as a main character, and learn all about why our Moon is so critical to life on our planet.
2025 Stargazing Tours at Black Butte Ranch
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January 25 Saturday 5:45 PM 🪐 Special Tour of SIX Planets Aligned!
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May 25 Sunday 9:00PM
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June 14 Saturday 9:30PM
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June 17 Tuesday 9:30PM
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June 19 Thursday 9:30PM 💫 Special Summer Solstice Tour
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July 5 Saturday 9:30PM
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July 10 Thursday 9:15PM 🌕 Special Full Moon Tour
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July 12 Saturday 9:30PM
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July 16 Wednesday 9:15PM
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July 20 Sunday 9:15PM
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July 23 Wednesday 9:15PM
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July 26 Saturday| 9:15PM
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July 20 Sunday 9:15PM
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July 23 Wednesday 9:15PM
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July 26 Saturday 9:15PM
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July 30 Wednesday 9:00PM
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August 2 Saturday 9:00PM
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August 6 Wednesday 9:00PM
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August 9 Saturday 8:45PM 🌕 Special Full Moon Tour
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August 13 Wednesday 8:45PM
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August 16 Saturday 8:45PM
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August 20 Wednesday 9:30PM
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August 23 Saturday 8:30PM
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August 27 Wednesday 8:30PM
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August 31 Sunday 8:15PM
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Sunday 7 September 7:30PM 🌕 Special Full Moon Tour
Cost
$25/adult
$20/Kids ages 0-15; must be accompanied by an adult
You'll pay a nonrefundable booking fee of $5/person to reserve a spot. Then you'll pay the balance in person.
Private Tours
If a program is full or the scheduled dates don't work for you, we may be able to provide a private program for your group. Custom tours for weddings or other special events are available!
Cost: 1-8 people $200 (includes $50 booking fee); additional adults $25/kids $20 (includes $5 booking fee pp)
5% off for groups of 12 or more with promo code: STARGROUP5%OFF
From 20 US dollars
"Our small group of Seniors enjoyed stargazing immensely and have shared our experience with other seniors at BBR and others who visit the ranch regularly. We look forward to participating again in the future!"
Tour Details
Tours are approximately one hour long. And will begin, once all payments are processed and waivers collected. The guide will stay after the formal presentation to answer any questions. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to process your payment/complete waivers.
Where to meet
Please park at the very back of the Big Meadow golf parking lot past Robert's pub. There is a short 3 minute walk on an accessible bark-chipped path into the meadow where we will stargaze.
What to Bring
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warm layers
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blanket to lay on or chairs to sit on (House on Metollius will provide folding chairs)
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curiosity and wonder!
Optional but encouraged
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red light flashlight
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binoculars
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a sky viewing app on your phone, recommended is SkyView Lite--its free!
Learn About Your Guide
Check out Who We Are to learn about our guides.
Liability Waiver
Please download and fill out the liability waiver linked here. You can print and bring with you, or email to jennie@starshine-theater.com. Printed waivers will also be available to sign at the tour check-in.
$5/person booking fee is not refundable, even if a tour cancels due to weather.
If a tour cancels for a reason other than weather or civic mandates, your deposit will be refunded in full.
If booking is cancelled 30 days or more in advance, your booking fee will be refunded.
Cancellations within 30 days, will not receive a refund.️
Cancellation Policy
Explore Black Butte Ranch on a Private Guided Hike
Explore the incredible beauty and natural diversity of Black Butte Ranch alongside a local naturalist and educator. You'll learn about local plants and animals, geography, geology, and human history in this gorgeous place. Wildlife is more easily spotted during off-season programming. Kids and adults are welcome!
Enjoy a private guided experience of the incredible natural beauty of Black Butte Ranch.
Starting at $120