2025 Pledge Drive
We are gathering pledges in order to complete the driveway around the telescope field. This is the top item that members who have used the site have asked for. Instead of taking donations we will be taking pledges towards a goal of $8,500. When we gather enough pledges we will then ask for members to fulfill their pledge and we can get the contractor to complete the work for the 2026 observing year.
The drawing shows what we hope to achieve. Members have indicated they need access to a sunny spot so they can charge their battery banks during the day. This plan takes that into consideration. The gravel road will be extended along the south and west sides. To the south, the road will be wide enough for RV or travel trailers to park and still allow vehicles to pass by them. To the west there will be several cut-outs for a couple of cars each to park in, allowing for more tent camping and access to the telescope field. Existing camping spots to the north and northeast of the telescope field will remain.
If you would like to pledge, please send an email with your name and the amount to: darkskysite@seattleastro.org
Piney Woods Dark Sky Retreat is a 5 acre space in Eastern Washington about 15 minutes north of Goldendale that is owned by the club and solely for use by club members. This region is known for some of the darkest skies in Washington state. Goldendale is home of a observatory that is run by the state park system. South of Goldendale, above the Columbia river, is the WWI monument for fallen soldiers, a full size replica of Stonehenge.
Coordinates: +45⁰ 52’ 54” -120⁰ 43’ 27” (45.881641, -120.724261)
From March through October, if the weather is cooperative, we hold a new moon star party at the site. This event usually runs for 4 nights. Look for the dates on the event calendar.
Piney Woods is self funding and runs off of donations. It takes money to maintain the site and to work on expansion projects such as widening and completing the gravel drive around the telescope field, improving existing structures, and removing trees. Please consider donating to this cause.
Telescope Field
Our initial telescope field is about half the size of a football field. There is a gravel drive that goes halfway around the field. Grass was seeded in the fall and has started to come up. We seeded it again in the spring.
Even though Goldendale is only 15 minutes away the site is isolated from any surrounding lights.
This is a dry camping site and as such you need to bring everything with you (water, tent, food, garbage bags). Like in scouting, take with you what you brought. We do have a limited number of 4'x4'x3' storage spaces available for seasonal rent in our storage container so you don't have to keep hauling your stuff from Seattle. More details below.
The site has a 10'x10' shed that we have fixed up and it is called the Sky Lodge with comfy chairs and a propane heater to help you warm up on those chilly nights. We also have 2 porta-potties, a standard unit and a very large ADA unit.
We periodically have work parties to expand the site and make it more enjoyable to use.
There are currently 2 spaces setup for RVs to use, that can be reserved ahead of time. There is a solar powered battery bank and internet connectivity for members to use. There is a propane barbecue.
The club has secured some nice instruments to use out at the site that can be reserved. One is a Takahashi 130, a 20" Obsession Classic dobsonian, and an Orion XT12g. There are a couple of other telescopes that are first come, first serve. To reserve either a RV space or a piece of equipment please email darkskysite@seattleastro.org.
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The last structure is a 40' storage container. This has a bench for repairing telescopes, basic tools, and 16 spaces that club members can rent out annually to store camping gear or telescopes in. Each space is available for $150 and all proceeds go to support site maintenance.
