For Star Lovers: The Ohio Park Made for Stargazing Adventures

Did you know that there's an Ohio park that was specifically designed for marveling at the stars? The John Glenn Astronomy Park in Logan gives Ohio explorers the perfect place to marvel at the night sky, stars, planets, and sun. You can bring your own telescope or take advantage of the onsite observatory. This is one park you’re definitely going to want to add to your summer bucket list. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind destination we’re lucky to have in our home state.

Welcome to John Glenn Astronomy Park, where nature, science, and curiosity are celebrated. It's truly unlike any other park in Ohio. Tucked away in the heart of Hocking Hills State Park—where light pollution is scarce—this impressive astronomy park mesmerizes visitors and locals alike.

Fun fact: This $1 million project was funded entirely by donations.

The park features giant "slots" on the perimeter, designed to catch the rising and setting sun on the equinoxes (spring and fall) and the solstices (summer and winter). The design of the park includes several careful details, including 24 marks along the perimeter of the plaza representing each hour of the day. The interactive sundial lets you stand on the proper month, and you will cast a shadow that will tell you the time!

For a list of FAQs about the park, click here.

Additionally, there's an observatory in the park, where visitors can stargaze, spot planets, and more via two large telescopes. Admission to the park is free, and there are several programs hosted on clear nights that are also free and open to the public.

The Milky Way season in the Northern Hemisphere is from March until October, with the best views from April until September. One of my favorite meteor showers of the year, Perseid, falls in mid-August, and this would be an excellent location to watch the Perseid Meteor shower!

To stay up to date on public events and programs, follow the John Glenn Astronomy Park on Facebook.

Have you ever been to the John Glenn Astronomy Park before? Share this article with someone you want to see the Milky Way in Ohio with this summer!

Address: 20531 OH-664, Logan, OH, 43138

If you're interested in getting into astrophotography or even just nighttime landscape photography, a sturdy tripod and a red light headlamp will be two of your most valuable tools. Give yourself 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark sky, and then try to use that red light for anything you need so you don't ruin your night vision.

For more unique parks in Ohio, check out our previous article: The One Park Near Cleveland That Was Designed For Watching Sunsets. Or find even more Ohio adventures using our Travel Planner!