The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9:00am to 4:00pm for daytime visitors. Visitors are not permitted on observatory grounds after closing unless attending a special event held at the Visitor Center. Visitors should be aware that we may close the Observatory to the public due to weather or other unforeseen conditions without advance notice. We recommend calling the Visitor Center before driving up the mountain.

Sunspot Solar Observatory is located at an elevation of 9200 ft, so it is a good idea to pace yourself and stay hydrated if you are not accustomed to high elevations. Water is available in our visitor center, and benches are placed around the grounds if you need to take a rest.

The weather in Sunspot varies with the seasons and temperatures are typically 20-30 degrees cooler than in Alamogordo. Dress appropriately and bring layers of clothing.

While all pathways are paved and wheelchair accessible, our facilities require a moderate amount of standing and walking, sometimes on slight inclines. It is a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes during your visit.

Cell phone service in our area is spotty to nonexistent with significant dead zones between Cloudcroft and Sunspot. Make sure to download driving directions. The Visitor Center does not provide public WiFi service in our facilities.

Fire is an enormous danger to life and property on this mountain. All smoking is prohibited while at Sunspot Solar Observatory, both indoors and outdoors.

There is no gas station or restaurant at the observatory. Be sure to have a full tank of gas in your vehicle and bring a lunch/snack to enjoy on one of our picnic tables during your visit. There are snacks and drinks for sale in the Visitor Center during regular hours of operation.

There is no overnight parking or camping on Observatory property.

Please be on the alert for roaming wildlife and livestock both while driving and during your visit. Cattle range freely around NM 130 & NM 6563 and may cross the road in front of you. Rocks sometimes fall from mountain sides and can cause damage to your car.

Please be alert at all times and drive at or slower than the posted speed limits.

Please note: If you are following directions from Google maps, apple maps, GPS, etc., you may be directed to turn right from US 82 onto Karr Canyon Road. DO NOT DO THIS. Karr Canyon Road is an unmaintained, and sometimes impassable (due to fallen trees) dirt road. You SHOULD NOT drive on dirt to reach our site. There is a paved road the entire way.

From Alamogordo: Turn right onto US 82 East, following signs to Cloudcroft, NM (about 16 miles). Turn right onto NM 130. Turn right onto Sunspot Hwy 6563 (about 2 miles). Follow NM 6563 (about 14 miles). Turn right to stay on NM 6563 and follow signs for the Visitor Center. Turn left onto Visitor Center Road.

Approximate driving times: Cloudcroft, 30 minutes; Alamogordo, 1 hour; Las Cruces or El Paso, 2 hours; Albuquerque, 4 hours.