09/03/2026
It's a star! It's the moon! It's Camp Nelson National Monument's FIRST Night Sky Program!
The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to gaze at the stars with park staff at our first Night Sky Program on Friday, September 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 pm! We’re partnering with the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club to host a star gazing program that’s going to be out of this world! 👨🚀
NPS staff will discuss Night Skies and National Parks, and President Richard Schrantz of the club will be on site with a telescope as we explore the sky! 🔭
Visitors interested in this astronomical program should bring:
⭐Camping chair(s)
⭐A blanket
⭐Warm clothes like gloves, hats, and thick socks with closed-toed shoes
⭐A headlight or flashlight with red light capabilities
⭐A sense of adventure!
We recommend that you arrive at 7:45 pm to safely make your way from the parking lot to the viewing area. Once at the telescope, it’s “LIGHTS OUT,” to help everyone’s eyes adjust to the dark and to have the best viewing experience! Visitors with pets and young children are encouraged to be mindful or normal bedtime routines when planning to attend!
If there is inclement weather, especially clouds or precipitation, the makeup date is the following Friday, September 11, 2026, starting at 8:00 pm. Stay tuned for updates!
Visit Jessamine
Visit LEX
KY Tourism, Arts, & Heritage Cabinet
Kentucky Tourism
IMAGE: Telescopes set up on tripods in a grassy field with people gathered under a colorful evening sky. Courtesy: National Park Service
