HEALTH & SAFETY AT MCDONALD OBSERVATORY ... What We’re Doing to Help Keep You Safe CDC guidelines for mask wearing and social distancing .Health and Safety Requirements for Visitors symptoms of COVID-19 , have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, or have been in close contact (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more) with someone infected with or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days. We will happily reschedule or refund your passes with no charges .
Access to the Observatory grounds is ONLY allowed for visitors with passes, and capacity limits are enforced.
Visiting during Spring Break (March 12-19) 2022? Please see our expanded schedule of programs for Spring Break week only. Passes
Join us for the following activities at the McDonald Observatory Frank N Bash Visitors Center .
Prices
Adults
DISCOUNT: Military
Children under 5
General Admission
Guided Tours
Solar Viewings
Star Party
$3
$10
$5
$25
$3*
$8*
$5
$20
$3
$5
$5
$5
*Locals receive free daytime General Admission and Guided Tours. "Locals" are residents of our tri-county area (Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio) with valid proof of residency.
Please include all members of your party in your reservation (including passes for children of any age). Please contact us
Programs may be cancelled at any time due to weather or public health concerns. Evening programs take place mostly outdoors.
Group Passes
Are you visiting with a GROUP (15+ people)? Please see our Group Reservations page .
Teachers - planning for a K-12 school visit? Please see our K-12 Visits page.
Important: McDonald Observatory, part of the University of Texas at Austin, is located 450 miles west of Austin and is on Central Time .
Use the tools below to buy passes. The system defaults to one adult pass. If you don't need that pass, click the number field and select zero.
