Farewell, old telescope. Old landmark. A once "state-of-the-art" design back in 1969. The recent discovery of mercury inside the telescope building has led to the announcement that the Sunspot Solar Observatory - also referred to as Sacramento Peak Observatory - will be demolished and undergo site restoration. It has been deemed an operable since January 2026. The article hints at a possible future educational center, but that's not set in stone. Here's more information in a recent NSA article: https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-proceed-demolition-site-restoration-sacramento-peak?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQL0DZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeOYaHcQsRSueXrGDhqlOG8XyoJHlAUOxuozHrpMMl-gxKaZJpqVhRV7m0cOM_aem_oqIQDC7vjkZr_JPkYZT7hg read more

This place would be great for children, teens, and those interested in science/solar system. Our group was middle to older aged and one enjoyed it tremendously. We were told by a couple of friends that it was great but we were disappointed. You do have to pay, which online and through friends there was not a payment. The price does not match the museum and walking path. The museum part was small and interactive in some parts and offered information about the solar system. There is a couple of videos you can watch but you have to ask the front to press play. There is a walking path to various telescopes with information and history but you can not enter any of the buildings. There is a small gift shop with books, toys, and apparel. Drinks and snacks were also for purchase. read more

I had been trying to get to this place for two years now. Covid had it closed. Open to the public now. And i love science, history. The reason i singled out the observatory was due to an old article found in a friends cabin in Cloudcroft. Article by David Sheppard, Times staff write, (date unknown). titled Mammoth Trees Survive Untouched. These trees were considered giants that toward up to 18 stories high and were among the last remnants of virgin forest in southern New Mexico near the observatory. i hoped to ask someone there about these trees but totally forgot as i was excited with the hands on Solar visitor center. The hunt for the tree knowledge continues. I made it in time here to visit and see the telescope. You can't look through it though and can walk the ground and speak to staff who are passionate about astrology and their jobs. I think we should all visit this place and see what it's about. Especially kids, open their minds to learning and about astronomy. read more

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It's a pleasant drive through the mountains about 30mi utes from Cloudcroft,NM . It's worth it, and many stops you can do on the way to view nature and the mountain side . read more

Sunspot Solar Observatory - This is the outside of the sun telescope at noon Summer of 2023. - Observatories Near Me - Sunspot, New Mexico

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Don't stare into the sun! This solar observatory does it right with the proper way to look at the sun. This place is located in the middle of the Lincoln National Forest, and is a really nice drive from Cloudcroft. This spot directly overlooks the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in the valley down below. On premises is a little museum that teaches you about the properties of light, meteorites, telescopes, and other science stuff. Once you visit the museum, you can do a self-guided walking tour around the premises that takes you past several old decommissioned telescopes and old research facilities. You can tell that there isn't as much going on here as there used to be back in the 1960's or so. It's interesting to see the variety of telescopes that they have on premises, some are more modern and technologically advanced than others. The coolest part of the museum is driving in, which is a beautiful drive, there's sign markers that show where things would be in a relative solar system. As the miles pass by, you pass by where the planets would be. The sun, of course, is at the solar observatory. An interesting side note about this observatory- a few years ago, government secret agents came in with Blackhawk helicopters and shut this place down all of a sudden. They shut down the observatory and the post office, and wouldn't allow anyone in or out. They went through and wiped computer hard drives and confiscated 'evidence.' Why would the government do this?! Did the observatory see something they weren't supposed to see?! Hmmm.... read more

Lady at the front desk was extremely rude. Didn't say hello. Didn't say goodbye. Not to my family and I anyway. Other people came in and she was communicative. She stared at my father while he read the informational boards as if he were going to steal something... Did not like the vibe at all. Hard pass. Won't be coming back. There IS cool information here, but I prefer not to be made felt uncomfortable. Maybe if someone else worked the front desk and showed even minor enthusiasm or offered some assistance with the information - that would have at least brought it to 3 stars. Not a fan of this place. read more

Well worth the trip. The visitor center employees were very nice and helpful. Ted gave us a tour of the telescope and showed us images of the sun through the smaller telescopes. He was enthusiastic and explained the operation very clearly. Thank you so much for a great afternoon read more

If you are into historic monuments and nature this place is definitely for you. A buddy of mine took me up here and I loved every minute of it. It's like an old ghost town with all these secret government buildings from the era when space travel was just an idea, not an actual mission. They do tours on the inside of the museum but I didn't really care to do that. I just stuck outside and walked around to take pictures of all the cool stuff. The walk itself is only maybe a 1/8 of a mile. The main observatory has this little walkway where you can get a bird's eye view of the horizon. I can only imagine how beautiful this is to watch the sunset or sunrise. Unfortunately, you will see a lot of doors that say authorized personnel only. If you make it out here make sure you say high to the cows and if you see dear walking by they are super friendly. I left some corn nuts for some. You drive thru Lincoln National Park to get to here so you have a lot to look at on the way up! read more

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Been here done that. Other than the beautiful drive through the Lincoln National Forest, it's a Solar Observatory, duh. It's cool that this is one of our valuable locations for looking into the solar system and especially monitoring sun spots, but nothing to special. Move along, these aren't the droids you're looking for. read more

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Have visited several times, once being able to look inside the observatory while in operation. Click on link below to see video of the place in full swing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i55jL2cHu6w All in all a fascinating place, and don't miss the display in the visitor center! Tours are at 2pm. Also take a little extra time and see Apache Point Observatory just down the road (they are doing the Sloan Digital Sky Survey here) read more

A definite place for geeks. Of course this place doesn't have the namesake of the VLA or Spaceport America but if you do have time it's certainly a cool place to visit if you're into observatories and astronomy. The observatory was open for viewing and the staff was very courteous. It's an old telescope going back to the 1970's IIRC but nevertheless neat to learn about. The visitor center is in desperate need of modernization but it also has info on it's neighbor - the Apache Observatory. read more

What a SPECTACULAR, TERRIFFIC, & EXCELLENT facility!!! The museum/learning center was a very informative brilliant presentation of solar exploration and study through the ages and we learned a great deal. It has encouraged me (though retired) to extend my astro studies. There is also a pleasent outdoor short (1/4 mile) walking tour that adds to the experience with actual viewing of some of the scientists at their research. I was worried about what the drive from Alamogordo, NM (only 37 miles) would be like. The final 16 miles has been described as "unpaved". THIS IS FALSE!! The entire road is standard asphalt pavement in excellent condition and very pleasent driving the entire length. The elevation is 9,200 feet above sea level, so taking you time walking is in order. read more

A good self-guided walking tour of the different telescopes of the observatory, however, they cannot be seen from inside. However, its worth while for the scenic views of the White Sands and Alamogordo below. read more

I visited the observatory 5/12/2017 and if I could give this a zero rating I would. I was visiting with friends, one of whom is from Japan, and the "gentleman" at the Visitor Center was just plain nasty - absolutely NO customer service skills whatsoever!!! When I asked questions about the observatory he wasn't forthcoming with answers and wouldn't volunteer any information. (I also found out later that he was dead wrong in a couple of things he told me.) I had 2 things in my arms that I would have purchased, but I put them back just because he was such an inconsiderate jerk. I was a customer service rep for many years before I retired, and if I had treated any of my customers the way he treated me, I would have been fired on the spot. So save yourself some time and do your sightseeing elsewhere. I have to end this review now, because just thinking about him makes me want to vomit!!! read more