Directions to the Visitors Center

HEALTH & SAFETY AT MCDONALD OBSERVATORY ...

What We’re Doing to Help Keep You Safe
• We limit the number of visitors in programs. All areas of the Visitors Center, including exhibits, restrooms, and high-touch areas, are cleaned regularly. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the Visitors Center. Air purifiers are in use throughout the building. We encourage staff and visitors to follow all applicable CDC guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing.
• We offer socially distant seating in our outdoor amphitheater. While we don't enforce social distancing in our public areas, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage visitors to distance their group from others while on site. For our indoor programs (Guided Tours and cloudy Star Party evenings), it's not always possible to socially distance. Please use your best judgement and the available medical evidence.

Health and Safety Requirements for Visitors
• Do not visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, or have been in close contact (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more) with someone infected with or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days. We will happily reschedule or refund your passes with no charges.
• Use hand sanitizer, which will be available at stations throughout the building.
• Follow directions from staff and signage about guidelines for use of facilities.

Please note: the Observatory and Visitors Center are located 450 miles from Austin and are on Central Time.

Frank N. Bash Visitors Center
3640 Dark Sky Drive
McDonald Observatory, TX;79734

432-426-3640
877-984-7827 (recorded information, toll-free)

Driving

Traveling East on Interstate 10 from El Paso: take Highway 118 south at Kent for the 39-mile scenic drive to the observatory. Remember that the Observatory is on Central Time (El Paso is on Mountain Time - one hour earlier than the Observatory).

Traveling West on Interstate 10: take Highway 17 south at Balmorhea to Fort Davis, then Highway 118 north 16 miles following the signs to the Observatory.

From Big Bend National Park: take Highway 118 from Terlingua north through Alpine and Fort Davis to the Observatory. Approximately 112 miles.

Automotive Fuel (Gasoline/Diesel)

There are no fuels available at the Observatory. The nearest standard fueling stations are in Fort Davis, 15 miles away.

Electric Vehicle Charging

There are no electric vehicle chargers at the Observatory, however there are some in the Fort Davis-Alpine-Marfa area. Consult a service such as PlugShare, and please check with the listed providers before making your trip.

Flying

The closest commercial airports are El Paso International (190 miles) and Midland International (177 miles). Although you can count on roughly 2.5 to 3 hour drives from either, when driving from El Paso you'll lose an hour going from Mountain time (El Paso) to Central time (McDonald). For private aviation there are airstrips in Marfa and Alpine (both about 40 miles from the Observatory).

Where to stay

Fort Davis is the nearest town to the Observatory and boasts a number of hotels, motels, and B&Bs. The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce maintains an extensive list of area accommodations. Additionally, the Chamber sites of Alpine (~ 45 miles) and Marfa (~ 37 miles) also list area lodging.