Having completed the virtual tour, you will want to visit Kitt Peak National Observatory!

Located just 56 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona, via State Route 86 on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, we have three guided tours, observing programs and picnic grounds adjacent to a radio telescope.

Kitt Peak is open to the public daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, except Thanksgiving Day, December 24 and 25, and January 1. The hours of operation for the Kitt Peak Visitor Center are 9 AM to 3:45 PM. There is a suggested $2 donation per person to the Visitor Center.

Kitt Peak offers visitors daily guided tours lead by qualified docents at 10 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. You may conduct your own self-guided tour anytime between the regular business hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are three major telescopes available for visitation: the 4-Meter Mayall, the 2.1-Meter, and the largest solar telescope in the world, the McMath-Pierce, each with a viewing gallery from which you can see the telescope. Group tours and school tours are available with advance reservations by calling (520) 318-8732.

The Kitt Peak Visitor Center offers astronomical gifts and books, post cards and posters, t-shirts and caps, along with an extensive selection of hand-made Tohono O'odham craft items.

Kitt Peak also offers two night-time viewing programs for the public: the general three hour evening observing program and the more advanced all night observing program. Both are by reservation only. These two programs sell out nearly every night. Call for reservations at least three weeks in advance for the general program, and at least one month in advance if you are interested in the more advanced, all night program. Call (520) 318-8726 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The online Kitt Peak General Brochure provides helpful information to the visitor concerning weather and available public facilities, as well as a road map to the mountain.