Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

Frank N. Bash Visitors Center is the required check-in and public-program hub for McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains. The observatory is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m.; it is closed Sunday and Monday, and programs often sell out, so advance reservations are recommended. General admission covers self-guided exhibits and telescopes, with solar viewing, guided telescope tours, evening star parties, and special research-telescope nights offered separately. The site sits at about 6,235 feet (with some programs near 6,800 feet); cellular service is limited, there is no public Wi-Fi or fuel on site, and visitors should plan the remote drive and weather accordingly. Confirm the current program calendar and ticket availability before travel. Current general admission is US$3 and is free for members and residents of Jeff Davis, Brewster and Presidio counties. The 45–50-minute solar-viewing programme runs Tuesday–Saturday at 13:00 for US$5, and guided research-telescope tours normally start at 14:00 with age-dependent US$5–10 pricing; both include general admission. Evening programmes have separate schedules and rates. Visitor contact: 432-426-3640, info@mcdonaldobservatory.org; address: 3640 Dark Sky Drive, McDonald Observatory, Texas 79734.