14 replies to this topic

[symbiosis]

is a great spot for East Coast folks. Very dark. The lake area is the best place to observe. Only slight drawback is that astronomy is an afterthought for the park, so no specific facilities for it.

[MikeTahtib]

Is that the same place the Novac Almost Heaven star party is held?  I was there a couple years ago, I think it was at some kind of spiritual center, beautiful place & facilities.  There was a bit of a fog problem when I was there, although I heard it was much clearer in the spring and fall.  Can you just reserve a camp site any time?  Please provide more details, I'd like to know more.  Finding a place where I can set up and stay for a while that isn't more than half way across the country, or requires a reservation a year in advance would be great.

[symbiosis]

There are camp sites for tents that can be reserved. There's also a small parking lot near the lake where astroimagers sometimes set up.

 

The first I'm hearing of that star party! 

Edited by symbiosis, 19 April 2025 - 08:02 AM.

[JohnPancoast]

These are two different locations. I assume symbiosis is talking about the Spruce Knob Lake Campground.  The NOVAC star party is held at the Spruce Knob Mountain Center, about 2 miles away.

[cuzimthedad]

Moving to the General Observing & Astronomy forum...

[DantheSpaceMan]

There are camp sites for tents that can be reserved. There's also a small parking lot near the lake where astroimagers sometimes set up.

 

The first I'm hearing of that star party! 

The star party held in May is hosted by the Experience learning organization, its a better bet than spruce knob campground if heading that way for astro and is a more low key event, I think it is capped at 100 astronomers. THe flip side is May can be tricky weather wise, though this year, its on memorial day weekend, so perhaps the sweet spot, we'll see! 

 

Night Owl Star Party: https://experience-l...-7e215966-0902 

[Dave Mitsky]

These are two different locations. I assume symbiosis is talking about the Spruce Knob Lake Campground.  The NOVAC star party is held at the Spruce Knob Mountain Center, about 2 miles away.

There's a third location, the parking lot at the summit of Spruce Knob, but it's more a one-night type of situation.

 

https://www.cloudyni...park/?p=6242454

 

[Martinbruce]

I have been to the area a number of times now, however I always stay at a VRBO/AirB&B. Typically I’ll set aside a week for the trip because of the 5 hour drive. I’ve stayed at a place outside Monterey VA, just to the south of Spruce Nob, and another place in Pendleton co WV. I have had much better luck With the weather and seeing conditions there than Cherry Springs.  My Cherry Springs trips have been cloudy or washed out. Camping does not work for the wife. BTW, the sky’s are as dark if not darker then Cherry Springy in my experience. 

[belliott4488]

I've camped at the summit of Spruce Knob, and as long as you're okay with tent camping, it's quite good for that. There's also the two-story observation platform, which get you above some of the trees, but since the days when it was originally built the park service has wisely decided to allow the trees (and associated ecological environment) to grow naturally. Now the trees block the view to the horizon in most directions. If you're curious, go to Google Maps and look for 360 views from the platform - there are several.

 

I also met someone at the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs last year, and he drives 8-11 hours for the star parties at both CS and Spruce Knob for the Almost Heaven party. He highly recommended the latter, I think even saying that he preferred it. They don't have a dedicated astro. observing field with power like CS, but the accommodations are otherwise rather lavish. There are options for provided meals and if needed someone will gather your power banks and recharge them daily.

[MikeTahtib]

I've camped at the summit of Spruce Knob, and as long as you're okay with tent camping, it's quite good for that. There's also the two-story observation platform, which get you above some of the trees, but since the days when it was originally built the park service has wisely decided to allow the trees (and associated ecological environment) to grow naturally. Now the trees block the view to the horizon in most directions. If you're curious, go to Google Maps and look for 360 views from the platform - there are several.

 

I also met someone at the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs last year, and he drives 8-11 hours for the star parties at both CS and Spruce Knob for the Almost Heaven party. He highly recommended the latter, I think even saying that he preferred it. They don't have a dedicated astro. observing field with power like CS, but the accommodations are otherwise rather lavish. There are options for provided meals and if needed someone will gather your power banks and recharge them daily.

I preferred everything about Almost Heaven over Cherry Springs Star Party except the weather.  What times of year are best for observing at Spruce Knob?

[belliott4488]

I preferred everything about Almost Heaven over Cherry Springs Star Party except the weather.  What times of year are best for observing at Spruce Knob?

I couldn't say for sure, but at 4863 ft, the summit is the highest point in WV, and as such it can be chilly in all but the warmest months. I'd say the biggest issue, however, is the highly variable mid-Atlantic weather. I was there last Summer to join some friends who had gone a couple days ahead of me. They had enjoyed completely clear nights, as I was forecast to do. Sadly, just as the Sun set some clouds started rolling in from the East, and by dark the sky was completely covered. That hadn't been forecast, but you have to be prepared for it at higher elevations.

[symbiosis]

Late August through early October probably the best at Spruce Knob, weather-wise.

[lwbehney]

I have been to the area a number of times now, however I always stay at a VRBO/AirB&B. Typically I’ll set aside a week for the trip because of the 5 hour drive. I’ve stayed at a place outside Monterey VA, just to the south of Spruce Nob, and another place in Pendleton co WV. I have had much better luck With the weather and seeing conditions there than Cherry Springs.  My Cherry Springs trips have been cloudy or washed out. Camping does not work for the wife. BTW, the sky’s are as dark if not darker then Cherry Springy in my experience. 

My wife also prefers non-tent accommodations. Are the VRBO locations you mentioned practical options for visual observing and how many families can they accommodate?

[astrophile]

I couldn't say for sure, but at 4863 ft, the summit is the highest point in WV, and as such it can be chilly in all but the warmest months. I'd say the biggest issue, however, is the highly variable mid-Atlantic weather. I was there last Summer to join some friends who had gone a couple days ahead of me. They had enjoyed completely clear nights, as I was forecast to do. Sadly, just as the Sun set some clouds started rolling in from the East, and by dark the sky was completely covered. That hadn't been forecast, but you have to be prepared for it at higher elevations.

The Allegheny and the slopes of Spruce Knob create quite a variable micro-climate that can defy all but the strongest regional weather patterns/forecasts.  In addition, "big dew" is a regular feature of the clear nights there IME, so come prepared for that.  At least on the slopes (e.g. Experience Learning/AHSP), I've never observed at the summit.  OTOH the area is indeed beautiful in the daytime, and beautifully dark at night.

[Martinbruce]

The options in VRBO/AirBB are quite varied in size and price. We have been using those two sites for years now and have so far not been disappointed. As with everything you have to do your homework, explore the site, check if it is in the area you need and how dark it will be. To check how dark the area is I use https://djlorenz.git...erlay/dark.html

 

Both web  the sites will have pictures of the houses, make sure they have good sight lines and are not surrounded by trees etc. Some of the sites are certainly large enough for up to 8-10 people.  BTW, we have a dog and many are ok with that, not all, and usually with a fee. Here is an example. https://www.vrbo.com...ort=RECOMMENDED

Good luck