18 replies to this topic

[Bill Arden]

Hi, folks -

 

I'm compiling a list of larger (>300) star parties in the US. I know of Black Forest & Cherry Springs, WSP, Okie-Tex, and Texas Star Party. Any more that you folks know of? Estimates of size would be helpful too.

 

Thanks and best regards,

Bill Arden

[Bob4BVM]

Oregon Star Party, Ochoco Mtns, 5500FASL, mid-summer

[harpo80]

Nebraska Star Party, roughly 300?

[ShaulaB]

Rocky Mountain Star Stare in Colorado https://rmss.org/

 

Stellafane in Vertmont. Since this has traditionally been a maker event, maybe does not break 300 attendance. However, it is an easy drive from the Boston and NYC metro areas.

Edited by ShaulaB, 29 January 2025 - 03:50 PM.

[Bob4BVM]

Rocky Mountain Star Stare in Colorado https://rmss.org/

 

Stellafane in Vertmont. Since this has traditionally been a maker event, maybe does not break 300 attendance. However, it is an easy drive from the Boston and NYC metro areas.

Yeah, gotta have Stellafane on the list, the mother of them all !

[WadeH237]

Oregon Star Party, Ochoco Mtns, 5500FASL, mid-summer

With typical attendance of around 500, give or take.

[Bill Arden]

Thanks, folks - I'll add those to my list.

[Alex McConahay]

https://rasnightfall.../nightfall-2025

 

Nightfall Star Party in Borrego Springs, California should be on the list

 

Alex

[stargazer1]

Golden State Star Party in Adin, CA. About 250 or so.

[JimMo]

Peach State Stargaze in Georgia at the Deerlick Astronomy Village. No idea about the attendance numbers. 

 

Great Lakes Star Gaze in mid Michigan usually held in September or October depending on the new Moon. I'd say maybe 150-200 attendees in some years. Numbers can vary.

 

Don't forget the Oki-Tex Star Party usually held the same time as the Great Lakes SG. This is a good one with great dark skies

Edited by JimMo, 01 February 2025 - 07:41 AM.

[Alex McConahay]

By the way, greater than 300 is a pretty big star party. I really doubt you will find much more than about 5 that hit that. Back before the turn of the century maybe RTMC, and perhaps Stellafane (I think so, but do not know Stellafane as well), could get to a 1000. Then you had a few at 500-600 perhaps. But that was it. And I do not think you will get many nowadays above 300. 

 

Alex

[WadeH237]

By the way, greater than 300 is a pretty big star party. I really doubt you will find much more than about 5 that hit that. Back before the turn of the century maybe RTMC, and perhaps Stellafane (I think so, but do not know Stellafane as well), could get to a 1000. Then you had a few at 500-600 perhaps. But that was it. And I do not think you will get many nowadays above 300. 

 

Alex

Back at the turn of the century, Table Mountain Star Party in Washington state was large.  I started attending in the late 90's.  It was growing, and continued to grow up to a peak that was over 1000.  If I remember right, I was hearing numbers like 1200 in the mid-2000's.

 

At that point, one of the largest camping areas was closed, I think at the direction of the Forest Service, and they capped it at 700 after that.  Attendance took a huge hit in 2008 (I suspect due to the recession) and it was never that large again.

 

These days, it's been renamed the Washington State Star Party and moved to a new location last year.  I believe that attendance is between 100 and 200, so it's probably a candidate for this topic.

 

For most of the last 15 years, it's run on the same new moon as Oregon Star Party, so I've had to choose.  I prefer OSP because I really like the site.  This year, they are on different new moons, so I am looking forward to attending both again.

[Larry Mc]

Unless you cross the border for Starfest in Ontario Canada, (~600 to 700 attendees), I don't think you'll find any larger starparties east of the Mississippi River than CSSP/BFSP at Cherry Springs Pa.

[scotsman328i]

Back at the turn of the century, Table Mountain Star Party in Washington state was large.  I started attending in the late 90's.  It was growing, and continued to grow up to a peak that was over 1000.  If I remember right, I was hearing numbers like 1200 in the mid-2000's.

 

At that point, one of the largest camping areas was closed, I think at the direction of the Forest Service, and they capped it at 700 after that.  Attendance took a huge hit in 2008 (I suspect due to the recession) and it was never that large again.

 

These days, it's been renamed the Washington State Star Party and moved to a new location last year.  I believe that attendance is between 100 and 200, so it's probably a candidate for this topic.

 

For most of the last 15 years, it's run on the same new moon as Oregon Star Party, so I've had to choose.  I prefer OSP because I really like the site.  This year, they are on different new moons, so I am looking forward to attending both again.

I remember the TMSP well! I only attended it once when a Soldier stationed at Ft. Lewis 2003-2006. I attended the TMSP in 2004 and to this day, it gave me the most memorable view of the Veil Nebula with my TV 76 and a shiny new 35 Panoptic that I actually purchased there on site. I also remember Infini-Tees tshirts vending there and getting a couple of their glow in the dark shirts. Great times! I’ve heard over the years it was never the same again. So glad that moment in time gave me such a cherished memory. 

[PalomarJack]

Never been to these, yet.

 

For southern and central California there is CalStar at Lake San Antonio. They throw end-of-season and Spring Binge events, both, three nights. Free, except $45 per vehicle to get in the park. Load up 4 or 5 participants in an RV and save a bundle. Here's the link:

 

http://calstar.observers.org/

 

Then there is Grand Canyon party, really big one. Here's the link for 2025:

 

https://www.nps.gov/...-star-party.htm

 

There is also Death Valley Star Party.

 

https://lvastronomy.org/DVSP.html

________________________________

 

A couple of unorganized smaller ones that can attract large crowds I go to all the time. You will find others here weekends around New Moon. I have seen huge crowds at both. Probably be better now with the economy improving. People from Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley and Bakersfield areas show up here, so it can get quite big.

 

Mt Pinos, every new moon from about May to September. Usually sky conditions are very good. Back in the '90s it was "standing room only", there were even people set up at the three last pull-outs before the Nordic Base parking area. Negligible cell service, but it's spotty. Vault toilets are 600 ft to the hike-in Chula Vista Campground, bring paper in case. Here is the Google Maps location:

 

https://www.google.c...KXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

Chuchupate (choo-choo-puhtay or, choo-choo-potty) Frazier Mtn Trailhead parking lot. No camping allowed but the rangers make complete exception for amateurs. Not as good as Mt Pinos, but 10* warmer. It's also fairly secure due to the ranger station down the road. In-season, typically both ends of the lot can get nearly full with "dark encouraged" in the Northwest end for imaging. Vault toilets on site, bring paper in case. If it's hosting an ATV event, head to Pinos. As for cell coverage, AT&T, etc gets in here, there's a tower in Lake of the Woods. Here is the Google Maps location:

 

https://www.google.c...KXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

Clear skies...

[Chucky]

I sure miss Astro Fest which was held annually in Illinois. It was a huge event.

Edited by Chucky, 02 February 2025 - 04:43 PM.

[chvvkumar]

I believe last year's Okie-Tex had over 400 participants. I remember it being mentioned a few times through the event how the attendance was more than previous years'.

Edited by chvvkumar, 02 February 2025 - 10:19 PM.

[evrimi]

Stellafane attendance has been 600-700 recently but has far exceeded that in the past.

 

WSP this year was 275.

[harbinjer]

There's the Heart of America star party in Missouri.  Not as big as Okie-tex but worthwhile.