NMSU-Apache Point Observatory Review

Beautiful views of surrounding area from the top. Can see some telescope domes from the outside, but they are closed to the public.

this area is a lot quieter then the main area still cleaning up from a wind storm around X-Mas
must do with kids ours loved it

Beautiful overlook, can't enter or tour any of the structures. There are several signs explaining the buildings.

The view from here was worth the few extra minutes drive. You can walk around the outside of the observatory but no tour unless you plan two weeks ahead. Still pretty cool place.

Update from 2012: An amazing gem to visit and explore!

While it is a private research facility the area itself is gorgeous and very near Sunspot as well.

Didn't go into the observatory as it was closed. Parked and spent some time taking in the grand vistas!

I hope you will start doing open houses and public shows.

Private night observatory with grounds that are publicly accessible. Absolutely beautiful surroundings lying within the Lincoln National Forest and within the Sacramento Mountains on Apache Peak. This observatory is just a half mile from the older National Solar Observatory (NSO) on Sacramento Peak. Apache Point has an informational display at the NSO visitor's center. There is a stunningly beautiful view of the Tularosa Basin from Apache Point. Very highly recommended! They even have shaded picnick tables were you can bring a sack lunch and enjoy the view. There is no public access to the telescopes though.

Worked there as a spotter! Most fun but cold job ever

It's a neat place to visit, have a picnic, and see some cool equipment. You can't really tour the facility, but you can walk around and enjoy the views.

There is some really cool science going on here! I learned a bunch and the views are incredible!

Very cool area. Not open to the public for tours but still amazing to see how big the telescopes are.

Home of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The telescope used has a very unique design. Same goes for the observatory structure. Great tours by friendly staff but you must request a tour before you arrive. No tours are given if you show up cold.

Great staff, really support the observations well, training was so smooth, love the nature of the mountain surround, nearly got trampled by an elk one night outside the main building :-D Not sure there's much for casual visitors to see or do, but for astronomers this is a great place to observe/work with. 15 MI from Cloudcroft, with a model solar system along the road (route 6563 of course) to Sunspot, former home of the National Solar Observatory but now run by the New Mexico State University and hopefully some partners. Sunspot is more geared to general public visitors. The gift shop and museum remained open when we were there summer of 2019, and as you can imagine they don't have as many visitors as they would like. There is a small Museum there, showing not only the history of the site but some of the science behind what they do. It's very close to Apache Point, just a little farther down the road -- to the Sun in the Solar System model. There are more interpretive signs in Sunspot, it's altogether a better general public attraction, while APO is simply a working observatory: no gift shop, no museum, no interpretive signs. Maybe eventually those will arrive -- but not too soon!

We had a great day there! It's rarely open to the public but just 1/2 mile away is Sunspot which is open every day. So much to learn and see. Beautiful drive. Nice visitor center.

Couldn t go in place is close to the public due to the COVID.

Awesome place to visit with great views. Telescope are a really cool sight to see.

A great spot to visit, however the facilities are private, and not accessible because of that. You are permitted to walk around and see the outside. There is a picnic table and a fantastic overlook of the Alamagodo area and White Sands ...bring binoculars...or like I did a small scope ( 90mm Meade cat) ...also visit the national solar facility just down the road... And the visitor center.. learn about our star.. in Cloudcroft take in the local BBQ ....yummy!

Pretty cool was worth the drive but what the hell they want to charge you $5 a person just to walk around if you go in to the town

This guy that works there (Bill K.) completely insulted my family when we visited, because my young daughter was misbehaving mildly, probably because he has trouble dealing with children in general. It is not his job to talk to my kid. He has been downright rude to coworkers when he thought no one was looking. The observatory experience is great, sans Mr. Bill.