John Glenn Astronomy Park in Hocking Hills, Ohio

People have been gazing up at the night sky for as long as people have existed. But over time, with the expansion of cities and lights and businesses, those stars have become harder to see. In the cities and towns where most people live, light pollution makes it difficult to find a place where you can get a clear view of the stars.

Thankfully, Hocking Hills enjoys a pristine view of the heavens. And there is no better place to soak it up than John Glenn Astronomy Park. The astronomy park is built for one purpose: To give people a crystal-clear view of the night sky. It’s one of the most unique attractions in Hocking Hills, and it’s a perfect place to go after a long day of hiking and exploring in the park.

Before you visit, here’s what you need to know about the John Glenn Astronomy Park:

It’s a great place for astrophotography. If you like taking photos of the stars, the John Glenn Astronomy Park is one of the best places in all of Ohio to do it. You’ll get clear views of the sky in all directions with little light pollution.

There are some fun programs for visitors. You can head into the observatory and look through the massive telescopes to get an up-and-personal view of the sky.

You should check the forecast before you go. It’s hard to see the night sky when it’s covered by clouds—which is why there’s a website that’ll give you a forecast. Check it out here. You’re looking for dark blue squares in most of the condition categories.

What is John Glenn Astronomy Park?

Situated on the top of a hill with sweeping views in all directions, The John Glenn Astronomy Park is one of the best places in Ohio to look up at the night sky. The astronomy park has quickly become a popular spot in Hocking Hills and you may see it referred to as JGAP on various signs, maps, and brochures.

When you arrive at John Glenn Astronomy Park, you’ll see both a plaza and an observatory. The plaza in the park was built with historical structures in mind. The builders took inspiration from the Stonehenge in England, the Chaco Canyon Kiva in New Mexico and the Hopewell and Fort Ancient Earthworks in Ohio. It’s designed so that at the beginning of each season, the sun’s rays fall onto a central point in the plaza.

The observatory houses a few telescopes, which you can learn to use during some of the park’s programs for visitors. During the summer months, nighttime programs are typically held at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’d rather visit during the day, there is a program at 5 PM on Saturdays that’ll teach you about the sun and the solar system.

Where is John Glenn Astronomy Park located?

The John Glenn Astronomy Park is tucked into the northwest region of Hocking Hills State Park, about a mile from Old Man’s Cave. Here’s the distance from the John Glenn Astronomy Park to some of the most popular spots in Hocking Hills:

To Old Man’s Cave: 1 mile, or about 2 minutes driving.
To Cedar Falls: 3 miles, or about 5 minutes driving.
To Ash Cave: 5.5 miles, or about 10 minutes driving.

It’s in a pretty great location. That said, if you’re visiting the astronomy park, you’re probably going at night. So, it might be more realistic to check the distance from your cabin or hotel to the park.

For out of town visitors, the John Glenn Astronomy Park is about 1 hour from Columbus, 2 hours from Cincinnati, and 3 hours from Cleveland.

What to do at John Glenn Astronomy Park

There’s plenty to do at the park—if you like staring up at the sky, of course. Here are some of the popular choices.

Stargazing

This is the main reason why people visit the park: To get lost in the night sky. However, it’s not always as easy as it sounds – the weather needs to cooperate. Before you go, check this website for a sky conditions forecast. In general, you want the squares to be dark blue to indicate clear and dark skies.

Looking for the Milky Way? If you want to see that classic view of the Milky Way painted diagonally across the sky, visit on an evening when the moon is faint (or, ideally, on a new moon). The Milky Way is most visible in Hocking Hills from February through October, and the peak viewing times are usually from May through about mid-August. During these months, the Milky Way hangs in the sky for most of the night—meaning you don’t have to stay up to 3 AM to get a good view.

Astrophotography

If you want to take photos of the stars, the John Glenn Astronomy Park is a great place to do it. It’s a popular astrophotography spot for a couple of reasons:

1. You get a 360-degree view of the night sky. Sometimes, it’s hard to find a spot where your view isn’t being crowded by trees or buildings. The John Glenn Astronomy Park is in an open meadow, making it a great place to get sweeping shots of the sky.

2. There’s very little light pollution. In most of Ohio, it’s hard to see the stars. That’s not the case in the astronomy park, which enjoys a small pocket of light pollution-free sky. A clear, dark sky is one of the benefits of being surrounded by thousands of acres of forest at Hocking Hills State Park. You can check out the light pollution index for the park on a map here.

So pull out your camera, head to the park, and start taking photos!

Enjoy the park programs

John Glenn Astronomy Park offers free programs for visitors. These are fun and educational events – if you have the time, they’re well worth it. Normally, the park runs sunset programs on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer. These are at 9 PM.

There’s also a daytime program at 5 PM. You won’t see the stars, but you’ll learn a little more about the sun and our solar system.

FAQs about John Glenn Astronomy Park

Where does the name come from?

Fittingly, the astronomy park is named after one of the world’s greatest astronauts: John Glenn. Born just a few hours away in Cambridge, Ohio, Glenn was a decorated pilot for the U.S. Military during the Korean War. Afterward, he joined NASA and became the first American astronaut to orbit Earth. Once his flying days were done, he finished his career as a U.S. Senator and held office until 1998. You can read more about John Glenn and his extraordinary life here.

Are there hiking trails at John Glenn Astronomy Park?

No, there aren’t hiking trails at the park itself. But drive one mile down the road and you’ll be at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor’s Center, which is a jumping off point for about a half-dozen trails!

When can I see the stars at John Glenn Astronomy Park?

You can get a great view of the stars year round, as long as the sky is clear. In general, late spring and early summer are when the Milky Way is visible early, and for a long time. Once mid-August rolls around, the Milky Way can start to ‘set’ before it gets dark out, so by the time you get complete darkness there’s only an hour or two where you can see it.

Can I bring my own telescope to the park?

Yes! In fact, it’s encouraged. The park was built as a place to be open for the public to gaze up at the sky, either with their own eyes or their telescopes. You will have to sign in on a kiosk when you enter the park, however.

Is camping allowed at John Glenn Astronomy Park?

No, camping isn’t allowed. The park is open 24/7, though, so you can stay through the night with your telescope if you can’t peel yourself away from the view.

Are dogs allowed at John Glenn Astronomy Park?

Yes! Dogs are allowed, but the park discourages bringing them at night, as they can be distracting and occasionally bump telescopes.

Places to stay near John Glenn Astronomy Park

There are some fabulous cabins just minutes away from John Glenn Astronomy Park. Here are some of the best accommodations if you’re looking to stay in the area.

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The Bottom Line

The John Glenn Astronomy Park was built to provide “public access to the universe,” and it delivers on that promise. If you’re looking for some evening magic in the Hocking Hills area, hop in the car and drive a couple of minutes to the park. It’s well worth the trip.