Located in beautiful Hocking Hills State Park, the John Glenn Astronomy Park gives Ohio explorers the perfect place to stargaze. This resplendent gem opened just a few years ago, and has quickly become a place for dreamers, wanderers, romantics — and, of course, astronomers. With little in the way of light pollution, this astronomy park provides extraordinary views of the Milky Way Galaxy, nearby planets, and other outer space marvels. This is one park you’re definitely going to want to add to your Ohio bucket list. This astronomy park in Ohio is a one-of-a-kind destination we’re lucky to have in The Buckeye State.
Let’s take a look:
Tucked away in the heart of Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park – where light pollution is scarce – this impressive astronomy park mesmerizes visitors and locals alike.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook This $1 million project was funded entirely by donations, which says a lot about Ohio’s deep love for all things related to space.
In fact, Ohio has produced more astronauts than any other state, with Buckeye State explorers logging more than 22,000 hours in space.
Sammii Dorfler/Google Images Just outside of Cleveland, Ohioans can visit the First Flight Lunar Module, a half-size scale model of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module, the first vehicle to take humans to the surface of the moon. In short, Ohioans love all things outer space.
Director of the project and designer Brad Hoehne created the park to inspire visitors with both the night sky and the sun.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook Careful details were included in the design of the park, including 24 marks along the perimeter of the plaza, representing each hour of the day.
The park features giant “slots” on the perimeter, which are designed to catch the rising and setting sun on the equinoxes (spring and fall) and the solstices (summer and winter).
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook A beam of light casts resplendently upon the sphere and the middle of the plaza.
Seeing these original blueprints in action is truly marvelous.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook
Additionally, there’s an observatory in the park, where visitors can stargaze, spot planets, and more via two large telescopes.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook Pictured above is one of the park’s telescopes, built by Mark Vanderaar of the Richland Astronomical Society.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park is an absolutely incredible place to visit. The stargazing here is truly sublime.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook To learn more about The John Glenn Astronomy Park, including upcoming events, visit the park’s Facebook page.
Did you know about this astronomy park in Ohio? Have you visited it yet? Where is your favorite place to stargaze in Ohio? Let us know in the comments below!
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook
This $1 million project was funded entirely by donations, which says a lot about Ohio’s deep love for all things related to space.
Sammii Dorfler/Google Images
Just outside of Cleveland, Ohioans can visit the First Flight Lunar Module, a half-size scale model of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module, the first vehicle to take humans to the surface of the moon. In short, Ohioans love all things outer space.
Careful details were included in the design of the park, including 24 marks along the perimeter of the plaza, representing each hour of the day.
A beam of light casts resplendently upon the sphere and the middle of the plaza.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park/Facebook
Pictured above is one of the park’s telescopes, built by Mark Vanderaar of the Richland Astronomical Society.
To learn more about The John Glenn Astronomy Park, including upcoming events, visit the park’s Facebook page.
And for more unique parks in Ohio, check out our previous article: 11 Underrated Ohio Parks That Will Bring Out The Adventurer In You.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: John Glenn Astronomy Park, 20531 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Astronomy Park In Ohio March 10, 2021 Sarah Where are the best places to go stargazing in Ohio? The Hocking Hills astronomy park is probably the best – but you already knew that! One hidden gem that’s perfect for stargazing is found in Butler County, at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park. This hidden gem is an outdoor sculpture park that’s located in a remote area perfect for stargazing. The park regularly hosts meteor shower viewing parties and events, but you can also simply visit and take in the interstellar views on your own. And just outside of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an absolutely splendid place to go stargazing. What are some of the top attractions in Hocking Hills State Park? Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio, is one of the most beloved parks in the state, and it’s easy to see why. This park is an all-around MVP, with epic waterfalls, unique rock formations, incredible hiking trails, stellar scenery, and some of the most gorgeous cabins and campsites in the state. It also makes for an excellent, inexpensive road trip for those who love the outdoors. Must-see attractions within the Hocking Hills State Park include Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, The Rock House, Conkle’s Hollow, Upper and Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, Ash Cave, and the Devil’s Bathtub. Of these, Ash Cave may be our favorite; the Ash Cave Trail features a .25 mile long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a .5 mile long Rim Trail. After heavy rainfall, a small stream of water flows over the cave. It’s absolutely breathtaking. What are the most scenic places in Ohio? Hocking Hills is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ohio, but The Buckeye State has scenic splendor everywhere you turn! Cleveland Botanical Garden features 10 acres of outdoor gardens and an 18,000 square foot glasshouse garden. It’s an ever-changing urban escape of beauty, whimsy, and wonder year-round. In Ohio’s Adams County, you’ll find the largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world: Great Serpent Mound. The 1,348 ft. long, uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Part of the Toledo Metroparks system, Oak Openings is Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies, and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. Ohio is truly a stunner of a state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Astronomy Park In Ohio
March 10, 2021
Sarah
Where are the best places to go stargazing in Ohio? The Hocking Hills astronomy park is probably the best – but you already knew that! One hidden gem that’s perfect for stargazing is found in Butler County, at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park. This hidden gem is an outdoor sculpture park that’s located in a remote area perfect for stargazing. The park regularly hosts meteor shower viewing parties and events, but you can also simply visit and take in the interstellar views on your own. And just outside of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an absolutely splendid place to go stargazing. What are some of the top attractions in Hocking Hills State Park? Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio, is one of the most beloved parks in the state, and it’s easy to see why. This park is an all-around MVP, with epic waterfalls, unique rock formations, incredible hiking trails, stellar scenery, and some of the most gorgeous cabins and campsites in the state. It also makes for an excellent, inexpensive road trip for those who love the outdoors. Must-see attractions within the Hocking Hills State Park include Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, The Rock House, Conkle’s Hollow, Upper and Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, Ash Cave, and the Devil’s Bathtub. Of these, Ash Cave may be our favorite; the Ash Cave Trail features a .25 mile long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a .5 mile long Rim Trail. After heavy rainfall, a small stream of water flows over the cave. It’s absolutely breathtaking. What are the most scenic places in Ohio? Hocking Hills is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ohio, but The Buckeye State has scenic splendor everywhere you turn! Cleveland Botanical Garden features 10 acres of outdoor gardens and an 18,000 square foot glasshouse garden. It’s an ever-changing urban escape of beauty, whimsy, and wonder year-round. In Ohio’s Adams County, you’ll find the largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world: Great Serpent Mound. The 1,348 ft. long, uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Part of the Toledo Metroparks system, Oak Openings is Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies, and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. Ohio is truly a stunner of a state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Hocking Hills astronomy park is probably the best – but you already knew that! One hidden gem that’s perfect for stargazing is found in Butler County, at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park. This hidden gem is an outdoor sculpture park that’s located in a remote area perfect for stargazing. The park regularly hosts meteor shower viewing parties and events, but you can also simply visit and take in the interstellar views on your own. And just outside of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an absolutely splendid place to go stargazing.
What are some of the top attractions in Hocking Hills State Park?
Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio, is one of the most beloved parks in the state, and it’s easy to see why. This park is an all-around MVP, with epic waterfalls, unique rock formations, incredible hiking trails, stellar scenery, and some of the most gorgeous cabins and campsites in the state. It also makes for an excellent, inexpensive road trip for those who love the outdoors. Must-see attractions within the Hocking Hills State Park include Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, The Rock House, Conkle’s Hollow, Upper and Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, Ash Cave, and the Devil’s Bathtub. Of these, Ash Cave may be our favorite; the Ash Cave Trail features a .25 mile long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a .5 mile long Rim Trail. After heavy rainfall, a small stream of water flows over the cave. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
What are the most scenic places in Ohio?
Hocking Hills is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ohio, but The Buckeye State has scenic splendor everywhere you turn! Cleveland Botanical Garden features 10 acres of outdoor gardens and an 18,000 square foot glasshouse garden. It’s an ever-changing urban escape of beauty, whimsy, and wonder year-round. In Ohio’s Adams County, you’ll find the largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world: Great Serpent Mound. The 1,348 ft. long, uniquely shaped mound depicts a snake, with an oval shape at its head, and it’s truly a sight to behold. Part of the Toledo Metroparks system, Oak Openings is Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies, and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. Ohio is truly a stunner of a state.
