🔭 John Glenn Astronomy Park

Overview

The John Glenn Astronomy Park (JGAP) opened in June 2018, named for the astronaut, U.S. Senator, and Ohio native. Built by the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park with over $1 million in fundraising, the park was designed to give the public access to pristine dark skies that have largely vanished across Ohio.

Hocking Hills sits in rural southeastern Ohio, far from the light pollution of Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. On a clear, moonless night, visitors can see the Milky Way with the naked eye — a sight that's become genuinely rare in the eastern United States. The 28-inch "Wow!" telescope in the roll-off roof observatory reveals deep-sky objects invisible without optics: nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and planetary detail.

What to Expect

Guided programs on clear Friday and Saturday nights (March through November) begin 30 minutes after sunset. A volunteer astronomer leads a laser-guided tour of the constellations visible that evening, then guests take turns viewing through the observatory telescope. Programs are free but a parking pass is required — these are released in waves at registration.jgap.org and do sell out, especially in summer and fall. Lodge and cabin guests can walk over (path between cabins 8 and 9).

On nights without organized programs, the park is open 24/7 year-round for independent stargazing. Bring your own telescope, binoculars, or just your eyes. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. No open flames — campfires and grills are prohibited because they create light pollution and ash that damages telescope optics.

2026 Celestial Events Visible from Hocking Hills

This is an exceptional year for stargazing. Here are the major events visible from southeastern Ohio:

Tips for Stargazing at JGAP

• Register for a parking pass early — popular nights sell out days in advance
• Bring red-filtered flashlights (white light destroys night vision for everyone nearby)
• Dress warmer than you think — temperatures drop significantly after dark, especially in the gorge microclimate
• Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the dark
• The Milky Way is best visible on moonless nights from June through October
• Cell service is nonexistent — download star chart apps (like Stellarium) before arriving
• New moon weekends are ideal for deep-sky viewing; full moon weekends are best for lunar detail
• Pair a late-afternoon hike at Old Man's Cave with a sunset drive to JGAP — they're less than a mile apart

Why Hocking Hills for Stargazing

Ohio's population centers generate enormous light pollution — Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati glow for dozens of miles in every direction. Hocking Hills is one of the few remaining dark-sky zones in the state, protected by its rural location, low population density, and the surrounding Hocking State Forest. The gorges and hemlock canopy further shield observers from scattered light. JGAP regularly draws astronomers from across Ohio and neighboring states who can't find comparable darkness closer to home.