Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory

They p l an o n reopening May 2024. Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM each day. They will be adding Mountain tours using a 15 passenger van , Fee of $35.00. More information soon. ADA compliant, picnic area, walking and nature trails.

Visitor center closed until mid year 2024.
Road up part way to top (closed higher) is breathtaking. Not for faint of heart. Passed the grader at 6km marker at cliff edge. All lean toward mountain please.
Beautiful. The drive past the visitor's center is going to scare some passengers. Nice picnic area at base.

Great views and friendly staff. The Smithsonian is a really great institution and the observatory makes for a great trip. The drive up has really great views and natural beauty and it was fun to learn about the telescope. Anyways, it was very fun and great and a wonderful experience to have with the whole family.

Great views and friendly staff make for a fantastic day trip from Tucson, AZ. Easy drive with paved roads to the visitor center. The larger telescope above the visitor center is by tour only (contact to find out current schedule).

This place is worth the drive! We both loved visiting and hearing the history and what the future holds for this amazing place. The guide John M was very friendly and answered all our questions. We can't wait to go back for a tour.

Wonderful and educational visit. Enjoyed the interesting ride up the mountain almost as much as seeing and finding out about the telescopes.

Unbelievable views, roads a little sketchy but passable. Observatory was closed.

We arrived before the visitor center was open but were not disappointed with the small walking path and plenty of informative displays available. There is also a public restroom available near the walking path - very nice! The water at the drinking fountain was turned off but the amenities otherwise were top notch. Educational displays spread around gave great insight into the observatory as well as natural features.

Beautiful drive. Good mountain road, pretty smooth. You can't actually get to the observatory at the very top but they is a spot that is part of the Smithsonian institute where there are picnic tables, grills and very clean restroom. Water was running down the mountain.

Very interesting tour and definitely a must for all astronomy buffs. You drive to the visitors center called base camp where you switch to a bus. The very friendly and competent driver drives you up to the ridge with the smaller telescopes, then to a picknick area (bring your food and snack!) and finally in 2 smaller cars to the MMT telescope which is a true highlight. Trip takes from 8.30 to ~3 pm. 10 $ per person.

Informative team at base visitor center. Lots to read and learn. Area to picnic. Lovely 3d map of Santa Ritas gives great perspective of Madera Canyon trails and entire area. Videos, handouts, souveniers, beautiful scenery.

Awesome views. We could see our house from there. Good presentations, lots hands on, gteat docents. Why A trip is offered by the Observatory on their bus with a tour guide, be sute to go. Call ahead to see when this is done. You will never regret it. A MUST DO for Tucson.

Wonderful docent leading the tour: very knowledgeable, friendly and more than willing to share his experiences working at the MMT. While the science is amazing, it is explained clearly and questions ARE encouraged. It can be chilly up at 8.5k ft and inside the MMT, so dress warmly. Kudos to U of A!

The Visitor Center at the base of the mountain is open to the public. But a trip up to the Smithsonian Observatory on Mount Hopkins requires additional permission. Do not believe it is open to the public except under certain conditions.

Great discoveries in Gamma Ray's. Surrounded by stunning views of the mountains. Great place to ride to on a road bike.

awesome... bring lunch and a jacket if going up the mountain... very informative . call and reserve a place on the tour before going

Beautiful drive for an interesting destination.

Beautiful scenery, variety of telescopes, very interesting tour. Not crazy about the bus ride but worth it!

ALL I GOT TO SAY IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE! OMG! FORGET CALIFORNIA I'M GOING BACK TO CALI PACKING MY BAGS AND MOVEING TO ARIZONA LOL..

Very interesting place and I'm sure very few people get to see things like this.