Mt. Graham International Observatory Tour

This is a limited event with only 10 seats avalible due to post pandemic regulations.

Mt. Graham International Observatory tours start here at Eastern Arizona College’s Discovery Park at 9:00 am. We arrive back here at the campus at approximately 5:00 pm, so it’s an all-day adventure!

There are only daytime tours (no night time sky gazing). We will show you the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, the Arizona Radio Observatory, and the Large Binocular Telescope which is currently the largest, most powerful telescope in the world!

Tickets:

General Admission - $75

Are you part of these groups? Enter a Promo Code to unlock a discounted $60 ticket!

• Military use code: HERO
• Senior (65+) use code: RETRO
• Teens (13-18) use code: LEARN

Note: Only one promo code used per order.

Tickets are non-refundable except for cancelations due to weather and fire.

If you have any questions please email: monica.clarine@eac.edu

Or call: (928) 428-6260

We will offer limited lunch options:

6” Cold Cut Combo Sandwich

All sandwiches will be made the same with Artisan Italian Bread, Turkey based: Ham, Salami, & Bologna, American Cheese, Spinach, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Green Peppers

Veggie Delite Salad

All salads will be made the same with Lettuce, Spinach, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, and Black Olives

Lunches will include: sandwich or salad, assorted snack size chips, chocolate chip cookie, and bottled water, mustard & mayo packets for sandwiches and ranch dressing packets & vinaigrette packets for salads

Upon check out you will be asked to agree to our terms and conditions:

Liability Medical Warning:

We try to make your visit as pleasant as possible, but there are a few things you need to consider first: Due to the extreme altitude, anyone with the following conditions is ABSOLUTELY DISQUALIFIED and will not be allowed to participate:

• Any diagnosed Medical Condition
• Chronic Respiratory Disorders
• Altitude Sickness (the facilities are at an extremely high altitude (10,500 ft).
• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Emphysema
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Abnormal Heart Rhythm – Arrhythmia
• Pregnancy
• ANY need for assistive devices to walk

An Important Consideration: We are very sorry, but our observatories are not handicapped accessible. You must be able to climb two or three flights of stairs and walk at least 1 /4 mile and stand in place for extended periods of time at high altitudes. Participants must be able to easily get in and out of the van several times.

• The observatories require us to wear close-toed walking shoes for safety.
• The temperature is approximately 30 degrees cooler, therefore a light jacket is recommended.
• If you tend to get car sick, the road will definitely make you car sick!
• There is NO SMOKING & NO ALCOHOL allowed.
• No pets are allowed!
• The minimum age for participants is 12 years old.

Please carefully consider if you have any condition that may hinder your visit of the telescopes at the Mt. Graham International Observatory. Standard protocol at MGIO for any individual who experiences a medical concern and requires any medical interventions – including the use of Medical Gas (supplemental oxygen) - is immediate transport to the nearest Emergency Medical Center (Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center in Safford, Arizona) without delay.

Mt. Graham Red Squirrel Agreement:

The endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel is protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. It is illegal to “take” (this means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct) individuals of this species. This includes touching and feeding. If anyone “takes” (as defined above) a Mt. Graham red squirrel, they may be subject to prosecution under the Endangered species Act. Please report all squirrels wounded or harmed to the first available Forest Officer. The Forest Service will report all dead or wounded squirrels to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Locations of killed squirrels should be immediately reported to the Forest Service so that the dead squirrel can be collected and preserved for study. There is some concern that the squirrels could become dependent on human food, which in turn may reduce survival. Be sure that you properly dispose of all trash at the telescope sites.

MGIO Educational Visit PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

I have read and understand the Site Permit requirements and the conditions under which they are issued:

1. I will remain inside the clearing limits of the MGIO facilities (delineated by a yellow perimeter rope).

2. I will not go beyond the clearing limits (boundaries) of the two-mile, one-way, observatory access road.

3. I will not use this permit for any purposes other than those stated on my permit.

If these conditions are not met, I understand I will be in violation of the terms of the Special Use Permit issued to Eastern Arizona College Discovery Park Campus.

Local Hotel Options

Best Western Desert Inn

Best Western Website: Click Here

Located: 1391 W Thatcher Blvd, Safford, AZ 85546

Distance from Discovery Park: 2.74 mi , Estimated Arrival time 6 minutes

Comfort Inn Suites

Comfort Inn Suites Website: Click Here

Located: 2577 West Highway 70, Thatcher, AZ 85552

Distance from Discovery Park: 4.08 mi , Estimated Arrival time 7 minutes

Spring Hill Suites

Spring Hill Suites Website: Click Here

Located: 2855 West US Highway 70, Thatcher, AZ 85552

Distance from Discovery Park: 4.34 mi , Estimated Arrival time 8 minutes