Where: Cedarville, CA 

When: Saturday, September 13th

Join Friends of Nevada Wilderness, the BLM Applegate District, Modoc County Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, and local astronomy groups for an evening of family-friendly Dark Sky activities and unbelievable stargazing! 

We hope you will bring your telescope, binoculars, star chart, and appreciation for darkness, as we gather to spend some time staring at the stars. Folks are welcome to set up gear, looks through someone else's, or simply come to look up at the night sky to spot some stars and constellations, and maybe a meteor or two!

Science Fair | 10am–2pm | Country Hearth Garden
Join us in the charming rose garden at the Country Hearth Restaurant, a beloved Cedarville spot known for its warm, home-cooked meals and welcoming country atmosphere. This beautiful outdoor space is the perfect setting to spend the afternoon discovering the wonders of our night skies. Explore informational posters, learn how we can protect dark skies for future generations, peer through solar telescopes, and get creative with hands-on activities like cyanotype printing and dark sky painting.

Star Party | 7pm–11pm | Modoc County Fairgrounds
Don’t miss the highlight of the festival! Spend the evening exploring the wonders of the cosmos with a wide variety of telescopes, stargazing binoculars, and other tools that bring the night sky into focus. Knowledgeable guides from the Astronomical Society of Nevada will lead us on a tour of the stars, while the incredible Star Chaserz Mobile Observatory offers a closer-than-ever look at the universe. Prepare to be amazed—it’s going to be truly out of this world!

In partnership with: Bureau of Land Management Applegate Field Office, Modoc County Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Astronomical Society of Nevada, Star Chaserz Mobile Observatory

Please visit our Massacre Rim WSA and Dark Sky Sanctuary page for more information on the Sanctuary and places to stay in the Surprise Valley Area. We encourage you to make accommodations before you arrive, as lodging is limited in the valley and fills up quickly. Camping and RV hookups will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the Modoc County Fairgrounds.

Citizen astronomers are welcome! Bring your telescope, your knowledge of the night sky, and your enthusiasm to teach... and learn!