Tucson Off The Beaten Path Tips by Basaic Top 5 Page for this destination

The Road to Kitt Peak Kitt Peak National Observatory. Review

The road leading to Kitt Peak is Arizona Highway 86 also known as the Tucson-Ajo Highway. It runs through the Tohono O'odham Nation. You drive down 86 until you come to Junction 386 the Kitt Peak turn-off. Kitt Peak is 12 miles up the road. Please note that this is a mountain road with steep grades and lots of sharp turns. There are no facilities on the road and only a snack bar at the site. If you need gas, food, or water you must get that in Sells or Three Points. The drive offers some beautiful views of the surrounding desert.

Phone: (520) 318-8726

Website: http://www.noao.edu/kpno/

Visit an Observatory Kitt Peak National Observatory. Review

Kitt Peak Observatory is the world’s largest collection of optical telescopes. It is located on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in the Sonoran Desert a little over 50 miles Southwest of Tucson. Kitt Peakhas twenty-four optical and two radio telescopes representing eight astronomical research institutions. The Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center is open to the public daily from 9 AM. to 3:45 PM except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s day. Guided tours are offered daily at 10 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. They also have areas set aside where you can bring your own telescope and stargaze. They have a nice visitor's center. Admission to the guided tour is $4 for adults and $2.50 for kids 7 to 12. Kids 6 and under, Kitt's Peak members and members of the Tohono O'odham tribe get in free. Check it out!

Phone: (520) 318-8726

Website: http://www.noao.edu/kpno/