r/camping: A subreddit for campers concerned more about the act of camping and less concerned about hiking long distances or light gear. Views are spectacular, if a clear day. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thank you for your continued support of Missouri State Parks. The Discovery Park tours start and end at the EAC Discovery Park Campus, as shown in the map below: Contact Information for the Mount Graham Tours is: Eastern Arizona CollegeDiscovery Park Campus1651 W. Discovery Park BoulevardSafford, AZ 85546Phone: (928) 428-6260Fax: (928) 428-8081E-mail: discoverypark@eac.eduWeb Site:  http://www.eac.edu/discoverypark/mgio.shtm. The Volunteers who make this tour possible are GREAT and you couldn't be in better hands. The park is approximately 12 east of Broken Arrow, OK. Camping at Yellowstone. Never made it to the top after several attempts. If you are a science nut, then you should read up on this telescope before the trip as the guides are limited in the actual operations of the systems involved. Ron. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping on more than 4,650 acres of forested and open land. and enjoy being served by those that are truly delighted you have come to join them. Graham for a delightful, scenic drive. I had the privilege of visiting the telescope during an employee family day. Posted By: Staff June 7, 2018 Safford – The Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest has announced that all campgrounds are open on Mount Graham (Pinaleno Mountains). Montana State Parks: Montana State park visitors will find exceptional wildlife viewing, spectacular scenery, lakes and streams for angling and water sports, opportunities to learn about western history, and sites to appreciate the geological wonders of the state. A reservation for a site does not constitute a deed or a grant of easement by the county. This hotel is 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from Graham County Fairgrounds and 3.8 mi (6.1 km) from Discovery Park Campus. COVID-19 Park and Site Advisories. Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. So many stars at night you'll think your in heaven. To get the 411 on taking the tour (just 15 people can tour per day of tour) call: Jackie Madsen at: 1-928-428-6260. My son enjoys learning about the "technical" aspects of things so he thought it was great. Hood and its surrounding forest. Mt. Central Utah This area of southern Utah has a diversity of landscape like no other area in the state - red rock formations and canyons, pristine meadows, alpine forests, as well as lush green valleys. Campgrounds Local is an extensive collection campsites and campgrounds in local areas throughout the United States. A number of good riding trails are in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. ABSOLUTE MUST SEE FOR ASTRONOMY GEEKS! Because permits are required to enter the endangered red squirrel refugium, advance reservations are required. Mount Graham is the highest of the peaks that breach the 10,000-foot barrier, while nearby Hawk Peak is home to the Mount Graham Observatory, its buildings visible from below and even from vantage points on distant peaks. Graham. Just a few miles south of Safford, AZ off U.S. Rt. Graham - Safford in Arizona. Enjoy lunch at the Main Street Cafe, the staff is all from the mentally challenged community under the direction of an outstanding manager (patience is her middle name I think!!) Photos and pictures - Mt. Graham was declared public domain in 1873. Local Camping Resource. It is the strongest telescope (at this time) in the world by ten (10) times. Our in-depth and comprehensive local camping guides help travelers, campers, hikers, fishers, and outdoors people of all kinds discover new campgrounds, compare camping options and make reservations for campsites easily online. Overall, I would highly recommend visiting the observatory if you have an interest in science and technology. It eventually came under the control of the U.S. Forest Service under whose administration it remains today. Beautiful views great campgrounds and great price sites. 2019 Reservations for individual campsites, group campsites, and facilities are available up to 9 months in advance of arrival, beginning at 8 AM (Mountain Time). Contact Information. Seriously, take a hike through the mountains and you can pick fresh wild raspberries that will make your mouth water all year when you think about them. This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Graham is a major presence in the landscape as seen from the southern and eastern areas of the current reservation. Huge. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. In the 1.5 hours it take to get from the base to the top the temperature dropped 30 degrees. One location on the mountain for drinking water. Limit 2 vehicles and 10 persons per site. The sound of rain drops dropping off the trees onto our tent kept me awake most of the night. What payment methods are accepted? The air is thinner and it can be quite chilly, even when it is in the 90s in the valley. Its historical significance and spectacular scenery draw travelers from around the world. Looking for a cool summer getaway? So, this is going to be an all day deal and I advise you arrive in Safford, Arizona, the day before you are scheduled to take your tour. Fees are subject to state and local taxes, and are subject to change. The operator also maneuvered the very large mirrors so we could see how they work. All day event with very limited availability so plan ahead... Bluff Landing is located immediately upstream of Newt Graham Lock and Dam 18 on the Verdigris River which is part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System. The facility has living quarters for researchers as they come from across the globe.We got to stand in the telescope chamber as the operator opened the top/sides of the building for that night's work. Anyway, you are taken in vans (about an hour and a half (1-1/2) ride up switch back roads. Also, if you are driving on the mountain at night, keep an eye out for deer. Joe Graham Horse Camp is near tiny Clackamas Lake in the Mt. The Graham County Chamber of Commerce is an excellent source of information for visitors to Graham County. Just trying to picture how all this huge stuff got way up this mountain is enough for most. All day event with very limited availability so plan ahead... After 108 switchbacks and climbing a few thousand feet, we made it to the summit! Mount Graham provides visitors a wealth of activity, from sight seeing to more strenuous activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. The meals are home cooked and really good!Stop in at some of the shops that line the "square" and find that perfect something while being waited on by friendly, gracious staff. You may have to wait for a tour date as they usually tour only one time per week. Telephone from Safford Vicinity:  (928) 428-2739, Telephone from Tucson:              (520) 621-8650, Copyright © 2020 Arizona Board of Regents.The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona | Sitemap | Staff Login, http://www.eac.edu/discoverypark/mgio.shtm. more. What better way to get in touch with the natural beauty of Yellowstone than to camp out surrounded by exceptional wildlife, inspiring mountain ranges and sprawling meadows. Reservations made easy! Well, with my boys back in school we decided to take a long weekend and spend some time with them up on the mountain to see for ourselves. The Binocular Telescope will blow you away. The whole thing was quite impressive.While I took my 7 year old son along, I would not recommend a trip up the mountain solely to visit the observatory for young children. They conduct weekend tours of the Mount Graham International Observatory. The Graham County Chamber of Commerce can be reached at the address and phone numbers below: Graham County Chamber of Commerce     1111 Thatcher Blvd. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/arizona/mount-graham-wilderness Mt. A good portion of the drive to the observatory is a dirt road. Sky Island. In 2020, you can make bookings up In the 1.5 hours it take to get from the base to the top the temperature dropped 30 degrees. In particular, there is excellent information on their Graham County Village Profile site. Our dear friends Michael and Diane filed this report on camping at Mt. If you are not good with altidudes you may want to pass on this tour as the telescope is above 10,000 feet. Hood, Oregon | Talk about horsing around, Joe Graham Horse Camp fits up to 41 stallions! Safford, Arizona, 85546     (928) 428-2511 or 1-888-837-1841 The Graham County Chamber offices have a wonderful collection of exhibits repated to Graham County, including an astronomy exhibit. If you are on the mountain for hiking, camping, etc, I would recommend a tour of the observatory even with children. Our family has five dogs so we try to stay out of the campgrounds. Mt graham is a hidden gem. Please note that check-in time for camping … Reserve campground, lodging, marina, and day-use locations online with ReserveAmerica. Graham is a very special mountain. It is easily driven with any vehicle, but be aware that is will be slow going. Curious about astronomy on Mount Graham? Arkansas River - Newt Graham Pool. Parks are experiencing high visitation. Campgrounds are open on Mount Graham – Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect. In the 1.5 hours it take to get from the base to the top the temperature dropped 30 degrees. You do remember "E" tickets don't you? Top of Mt. Joe Graham Horse Camp. Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. The whole range is often informally referred to as "Mount Graham". Someday maybe I'll make it, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Believe this or not the Vatican is a heavy investor in this project. A five hour drive from Phoenix but well worth it. Here too is the Mt. You will then tour all three telescopes. Lemmon. Beautiful views great campgrounds and great price sites. Capacity is being monitored closely in order to prevent overcrowding. The size of this project is beyond imagination. I would have paid $500.00 to see this. Graham and experience the beauty of mountains, lakes and berries! << Back to Camping 1. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Graham.A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake.. Great area to visit, truly someplace to put on your travel itinerary for the year! 1. It can see into space better than Hubble (the telescope that orbits the earth in space). Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees. Drive 20 miles to the top of Mt. A five hour drive from Phoenix but well worth it. Ask LocalTravelerAZ about Mount Graham International Observatory, Ask Jennifer C about Mount Graham International Observatory, Ask Jerayn1 about Mount Graham International Observatory, ADD TO YOUR BUCKET LIST, MOST POWERFUL TELESCOPE, Ask avie8tor about Mount Graham International Observatory, Ask visitthemall about Mount Graham International Observatory, Never made it to the top after several attempts, Ask cajunbully about Mount Graham International Observatory, Hotels near Mount Graham International Observatory, Hotels near Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Safford, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area: Tickets & Tours‎, Mount Graham International Observatory: Tickets & Tours‎, Black Hills Rockhound Area: Tickets & Tours‎, The Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area: Tickets & Tours‎, Swift Trail Scenic Drive: Tickets & Tours‎, Kachina Mineral Springs Spa: Tickets & Tours‎, Indigo Mountain Wellness, Toys & Gifts: Tickets & Tours‎, Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area. A. Internet reservations may be paid for by Visa or MasterCard. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Douglas Ranger District 1192 West Saddleview Rd. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. Our family has five dogs so we try to stay out of the campgrounds. There is something for all at this popular retreat. As another reviewer mentioned, you must schedule a tour ahead of time.Remember that you will be at close to 10,000 ft in elevation. They also have a large collection of informational brochures about southeast Arizona and a gift shop. Graham … Book your favorite camping, boat-slip or picnic spot today. Pitch a tent or park an RV on your next getaway to Yellowstone National Park. The cost was $40.00 per person (cash) which included a Sub-Way sandwich for lunch. But it is a very long drive for kids who need a place to run and interactive activities. Joe Graham Horse Campground, Oregon - Camping & Campgrounds Joe Graham Horse Campground is a beautiful equestrian camp with views of majestic Mt. It's the coolest in the summer, so you can still enjoy a campfire if allowed. Weather permitting, the tours begin in mid-May and go through October. I say roads as you will eventually end up on a dirt road (very bumpy) near the summit. Eastern Arizona College's Discovery Park Campus is the the official visitor's center for the telescopes on Mount Graham. Go to the observatory and truly experience what a small planet we live on and why we should use good conservation methods to keep it healthy.Enjoy a picnic at one of the spots designed for you or maybe you want to camp out for a little while, up at 9000 feet it is truly cool....even when the heat of the desert hits 100, the mountain is cool and refreshing!When you are done on the mountain then visit the communities of Safford and Thatcher to see the unique shops that wait for your visit. One location on the mountain for drinking water. Reservations requested less than one-day in advance of check-in must be made directly through the park. We had 3 dart in front of us as we were driving down after our tour.While the tour itself is not very long, the drive up and back will take up a good portion of the day. It is a must do before you pass on from this earth. It provides access to a variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails, as well as scenic historic sites. A stay at Quality Inn & Suites Safford - Mt Graham places you in the heart of Safford, a 1-minute drive from Safford Bowl and 7 minutes from Graham County Historical Society Museum. But I … This is an "E" ticket ride. Advanced Reservations can be booked 13 months out. Hell, it's beyond "rocket science" so give them a break. Do you wish to see the telescopes on Mount Graham!? Trout fishing at Riggs Flat Lake is a popular summer pastime, and several of the year-round creeks offer the challenge of stream fishing. This is not a telescope you get to look through to view the stars. The entire chamber spins 360 degrees so we got a spectacular view of the valley and mountains. The place sounded great, but I kept putting it off because the trip to Mount Graham is four hours long for us, twice as far as it is to the Mogollon Rim where we do most of our summer camping. Lots of different environments changing as you go up the paved road.... the observatory is very interesting. Mount Graham (called in Nnee biyati' (Western Apache) Dził Nchaa Sí'an - ′Big Seated Mountain′) is a mountain in Graham County, Arizona, United States, approximately 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Tucson.The mountain reaches 10,724 feet (3,269 m) in height. Our favorite campground on Mt Lemmon is Spencer Canyon. Mt graham is a hidden gem. We will begin accepting the Group Camping and Group Shelter reservations, for all parks, by telephone only, at 9:00 A.M., on Monday, February 1, 2021. These skyscraping redwoods were admired by explorer John C. Frémont, President Theodore Roosevelt, and inspired some of Californias e… The data collected by the telescope is sent to computers for the researchers to do their thing with it. The tour to the... 366 up the 9,000 ft. plus Mt. The tour features a trip up scenic Mount Graham, focusing on the mountain's rich geology, history, and diversity of life; a lunch near the summit of the mountain; and a guided tour of the observatories -- The Submillimeter Telescope, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, and the Large Binocular Telescope! Graham Car Camp June 12-15, 2009; Description: T After a series of presidential executive orders, Mt. ABSOLUTE MUST SEE FOR ASTRONOMY GEEKS! Reservations for weddings and group camping sites for youth groups may be made up to 1 year in advance and no less than 1 calendar day prior to the date of use. The sheer size and functionality of the Large Binocular Telescope is incredibly impressive. 191, take State Rt. I guess it rains the entire month of July up there, so it was really no surprise that it rained pretty good that night. It's the campground at the highest elevation - around 8,000 feet. A five hour drive from Phoenix but well worth it. Consider Mt. Observatories & Planetariums, Educational sites, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Geologic Formations, Things to do near Mount Graham International Observatory. You may reserve campsites from the third Friday in May through the third Sunday in September. Would of liked to see more actual pictures...the ones I saw were amazing. Have a picnic, take a hike and enjoy the area. Camping on Mt Graham We went camping last week up on Mount Graham. read more, After 108 switchbacks and climbing a few thousand feet, we made it to the summit! Hood National Forest. In addition to the standard camping fees, there is a $10.00 non-refundable, non-transferable reservation fee for each site and stay booked. Some trails lead to nearby Timothy Lake and others to Little Crater Lake. Douglas, AZ 85607 Supervisor's Office 300 W. Congress St. Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 388-8300. Montana State Parks: Montana State park visitors will find exceptional wildlife viewing, spectacular scenery, lakes and streams for angling and water sports, opportunities to learn about western history, and sites to appreciate the geological wonders of the state. Because permits are required to enter the endangered red squirrel refugium, advance reservations are required. Q. If you've been to Kitt Peak and the Mirror Lab in the Tucson area, you'll be better prepared for this tour and I therefore recommend that you do so. Take the drive up to Mt. Hotels near Mount Graham International Observatory: (8.27 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Thatcher AZ (7.24 mi) Best Western Desert Inn (6.73 mi) Cottage Bed and Breakfast (7.23 mi) Best Western Plus Safford (7.23 mi) Quality Inn & Suites Safford - Mt Graham; View all hotels near Mount Graham International Observatory on Tripadvisor See the awesome campsites for Riggs Flat Lake. The tour to the... Mt graham is a hidden gem. read more. Press J to jump to the feed. `` E '' tickets do n't you truly someplace to put on your travel itinerary for telescopes. Travel itinerary for the telescopes on Mount Graham '' the entire chamber spins 360 degrees so we try to out!, if you have an interest in science and technology Joe Graham Horse Camp is near Clackamas... 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Of information for visitors to Graham County Fairgrounds and 3.8 mi ( 6.1 km ) from Graham County horseback. The endangered red squirrel refugium, advance reservations are required to enter endangered. Were amazing less than one-day in advance of check-in must be made directly through the third in! Functionality of the U.S. Forest Service under whose administration it remains today Volunteers! The beauty of mountains, lakes and berries to 41 stallions tour ahead of time.Remember you...