Events

PARISTAR star party in the Pisgah National Forest

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1

Amateur astronomers from all experience levels will gather for skywatching, science talks, and camping during the PARISTAR star party in the Pisgah National Forest, with Bortle 2 skies, expert speakers, and lodging options from tents to cabins.

Each year, amateur astronomers across the Southeast look forward to one of the most accessible and friendly star party weekends in the region: the Star Party at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, better known as PARI. Set in western North Carolina, surrounded by forest and far from city lights, PARI is a certified Dark Sky Park with Bortle 2 conditions, some of the best skies in the area.

This year’s Star Party runs from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, 2025, and it brings together a good mix of night observing, daytime talks, and the kind of down-to-earth community that makes these events worth coming back to. Whether you’re camping, staying in the dorms, or getting a cabin with your crew, the event is set up so you can focus on your gear, your observations, and connecting with other folks who enjoy looking up.

PARISTAR star party in the Pisgah National Forest

The main draw is the nighttime observing. PARI sets aside space for everyone to set up their telescopes and imaging rigs and leaves the field open all night. You don’t need a fancy setup either, binocular observers and first-timers are just as welcome. Friday and Saturday nights both offer open sky viewing. There’s no light pollution to worry about, and at over 2,000 feet in elevation, you get a stable atmosphere and good transparency. It’s the kind of place where you can actually see faint details in nebulae and galaxies without driving across state lines to get away from city glare.

The weekend officially starts Friday afternoon. Check-in begins at 4 p.m., and then dinner is served from 6 to 7. After dinner, the keynote speaker will kick off the event. Then it’s straight to the observing field, where folks can stay out all night under the stars.

Saturday is the busiest day for talks. After breakfast at 8:30, there’s a full day of guest speakers, with a break for lunch around 1 p.m. Topics include meteorites, radio astronomy, and a bit about PARI’s history and what makes it unique. Some of the talks will get into the science behind what you’re seeing at night, and others might cover techniques for imaging or gear tips. The talks wrap up in the late afternoon, followed by dinner and a final speaker before heading out for more sky time. Sunday is for saying goodbye after breakfast and checking out by 10 a.m.

Food is provided with every overnight pass. Friday dinner, all Saturday meals, and Sunday breakfast are included, depending on what pass you have. The meals are served in the dining hall on a fixed schedule, and the doors close at the end time of each meal, so it’s best to be on time.

One of the strong points of this event is that it’s not one-size-fits-all. There are several ways to attend, depending on your budget and preferences. For lodging, there are three main choices: camping, dorms, and cabins.

The camping option is simple and straightforward. There are grassy spots near the pond that are close to restrooms and have fire pits. For those looking for a quieter spot, there are ridge-top campsites a bit farther out with more privacy but fewer amenities. RVs and campers can also park at PARI, but there are no hookups for power or waste.

The dorms are a good choice for people who want to stay on-site but keep things simple. Rooms sleep 4 to 8 people on bunk beds, and while sheets and towels aren’t provided, you do get a bed indoors and shared bathrooms with showers. If you’re attending with friends, PARI will try to keep your group together in the same dorm room if you let them know ahead of time.

For folks looking for more privacy or traveling with families, the cabins are the most comfortable option. They’re set up with private bathrooms, real beds (including queen and bunk setups), and they come with climate control, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker. Sheets and towels are included with cabin stays, and you don’t have to share the space with other groups unless you’re booking multiple people together.

Ticket prices vary based on what kind of lodging you choose and whether you’re staying one day or the whole weekend. The most basic ticket is the Friday Day Pass, which includes dinner and the option to camp overnight. The Saturday Day Pass covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus the option to camp overnight and breakfast Sunday morning. But if you want to stay both nights and have access to the whole schedule, you’ll need one of the weekend passes.

The Weekend Camping Pass gets you a camping spot and meals for one person. The Weekend Dorm Pass covers the same for someone staying in a shared dorm. The Cabin Pass is designed for two people and includes a private cabin room and meals. You can add extra guests to your cabin for an added cost. All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, and the event happens rain or shine.

As far as the crowd goes, the PARI Star Party attracts a mix of experienced observers and newcomers. There’s no pressure to be an expert, and people are generally happy to share views through their scopes and talk shop. It’s a good event to bring kids or friends who are just getting into astronomy too. There’s a lot of downtime between meals and talks for exploring the campus or walking the trails, and the museum and exhibits on-site give a glimpse into PARI’s history as a former NASA tracking station.

If you’re interested in attending, tickets are already available, and lodging fills up fast. You’ll need to register with your name and contact info, and you can specify things like dietary restrictions, roommate preferences for dorms, and whether you want vegetarian or vegan meal options. You also have the option to keep your name off the public attendee list.

For anyone in driving distance of western North Carolina, this is a solid fall observing event. It’s not the biggest star party in the country, but it’s friendly, well-organized, and held under skies that actually make deep sky observing worth the drive. If you’ve never been to a star party before, this one is easy to get to and beginner-friendly. If you’ve been to many, PARI offers a quiet, well-run alternative to the huge festival-style ones, and you’ll still find good company and good skies.

Bortle 2 skies and high elevation for deep, crisp views

Event schedule: Friday, October 24, 2025

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Check-in
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 p.m. - Keynote Speaker
All Night - Sky Viewing

Saturday, October 25, 2025

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Guest Speakers
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Lunch
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Guest Speakers
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 p.m. - Guest Speaker
All Night - Sky Viewing

Sunday, October 26, 2025

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Check-out and Departure

Ticket prices range from $50.00 - $210.00

Weekend Camping Pass - full weekend access + meals + tent site
Weekend Dorm Pass - full weekend access + meals + shared dorm
Weekend Cabin Pass - full weekend access for 2 + meals + private cabin
Cabin Additional Guest Pass - adds 1 person to your existing cabin reservation
Friday Day Pass - Friday only + dinner + option to camp overnight
Saturday Day Pass - Saturday only + meals + option to camp overnight + Sunday breakfast

Lodging options

Tent Camping: central pond sites (fire pit, restroom access), ridge-top sites (secluded, no facilities)
Dorms: bunk beds (4-8 people per room), shared restrooms, bring your own linens
Cabins: private rooms, private bath, mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, sheets and towels included