The most common comment is that the constellations are no longer obvious because of the vast number of visible stars.  Several Messier objects (such as Andromeda, the Great Orion Nebula, and the Beehive Cluster) are visible with the naked eye.

Our location in the southwestern high desert means that highly dense constellations like Scorpio and Sagittarius will be fully and clearly visible above the horizon.  The Milky Way can be observed from horizon to horizon.

Our cool, clear, still air makes the observation of elusive deep sky objects and long exposure astrophotography much easier.

Guest Options:

Unlimited use of an open guest pad is complementary and included in your room rental.

Reserve one, or both rooms in the Geodesic Dome Guest House. Each room is special and includes a queen size bed, comfortable chairs, a desk, wall mounted 4K TV and blu ray player, refrigerator and a microwave. Each room is it’s own small museum with original art, photography and display cases filled with space and astronomy related items.

Breakfast is included and served in the center dome. The center dome is open to all and includes large table and chairs, couch, and kitchenette with electric stove.

Wi-Fi access is available throughout the entire site but due to our remote location may at times be limited.

Reserve the RV pad for your vehicle or camper with electric and sewer hookups.

Reserve one of the fully equipped observatories for an evening.

Reserve a session in the Solar Observatory.

We include a complementary orientation and equipment checkout.

No minimum stay.

Complementary use of over 1000 DVD’s, books and other materials from our lending library during your stay.

Complementary use of an Oculus Quest VR headset with space and astronomy applications.

Renting an observatory is optional.

We are a remote high altitude desert location. We are a long way from emergency services. Please read the page on visiting Lost Sky Ranch to make sure your stay is as comfortable and safe as possible.

Check In is at 12 PM the day of the reservation.

Check Out is at 11 AM the following day.

Questions before you arrive? Send us an email or we can set up a call to make sure that we understand your expectations and so we can do everything possible to make sure you have a great stay.

Our facility offers a choice of two rooms and one RV site. This limitation allows us to provide a high level of individualized service to each of our customers. Because of this we also request a 25% non-refundable deposit at the time of your reservation.

Guest Pads:

Bringing your own equipment? Unlimited use of an open sky guest pad is included with your room rental. Your guest pad will allow you to set up your equipment and leave it in a secure area for the length of your stay.  The pad is always open to the sky but has easy access though a lockable gate.  Bring your own cover for your equipment when it’s not in use.  Quad electric outlets are available in the center of the pad and along the east wall.

Warming Room / Studio

Your stay includes unlimited use of the Warming Room / Studio. Close to the observatories this heated room includes two work stations with desks, monitors and a reference library. The room has both white and read internal lighting to preserve your night vision. This is a quiet space to work on your images or to connect remotely to your equipment on the guest pad. We also have hot coffee, cocoa and tea to ease the evening chill.

Note that this is also a shared studio space for use by our artist guests.

Our Clear Sky Guarantee!

We want you to have a great - no regrets - experience!  Rent an observatory or a guest pad for a night.  If for any reason you choose not to use it, cloudy skies, wind or you just don’t feel like it that evening, there is no charge for the observatory.

Three Night Bonus!

If you stay for three nights or longer you get a free day in the Solar Observatory. 

Long Stay Bonus!

Rent a room or the RV pad for five nights and the sixth night is on us – no charge.

 Bonus discounts applied at checkout.

New to Astronomy?

Introductory Sky Tours are available on request.

Have a question? Just ask.

Observatory 1

Offers a Celestron 9.25 inch SCT on a Celestron CGM mount paired with a Steller View 80mm Raptor refractor.   This is a 10 foot ProDome with motorized shutters and rotation.

Observatory 2

Offers a Meade 10 inch SCT on a Celestron CGEM mount with a Williams 80mm refractor.   This is a 6 foot SkyShed with three bays.

Observatory 3

Is a dedicated solar observatory with a Meade 8 inch SCT equipped with a white light filter and a Coronado 70mm Ha Solarmax telescope.   This is a 6 foot SkyShed with one bay.

Observatory 4

Guest Observatory available for use with your own observing equipment. This is an square enclosure with electricity.

Observatory 5

Guest Observatory available for use with your own observing equipment. This is a round enclosure with electricity.

The scopes are columnated, permanently mounted on piers and are north aligned.  Use our selection of eye pieces or bring your own.  Rent our cameras and computers or bring your own imaging equipment.   All reservations in Lost Sky observatories include a complimentary orientation session so that you are comfortable with the equipment.  For the best experience, please plan on arriving in time for a daylight orientation session.  We’re on hand evening hours to answer questions and help with the equipment. 

We have a large selection of astronomy equipment.  Forget something?  Let us know.  We may have a loaner.