Camping and amenities

Camp sites

Spruce Knob is a rolling landscape, so we have designed the camping around the flattest areas:

The Yellow Observing Field is reserved for those who wish to park at their campsite.

The Red Observing Field sites are accessible by car, but we will ask you to drop your gear and move your car to the long-term parking for the duration of the event. This field has stunning southern horizons, so we encourage you to consider this option if you don't need to have your car nearby.

The Green Observing Field is intended for RVs and other large vehicles. Please be advised there are no electrical hookups at this site.

Please consult the site map to see where the various sites are located.

Meal service

The Mountain Institute will supply full meal service for AHSP participants at a cost of only $30 a day ($20 a day for children under 12). Last year's meals were extremely popular with the participants and accommodated a wide variety of diets. If you're not sure whether to sign up for meal service, check the sample menus.

Bathrooms & showers

Male and female bathrooms and shower rooms are located near the yurts and are open 24 hours a day. AHSP participants are encouraged to bring towels, toilet paper, toiletries, and shower shoes.

Internet and Telephone Access

Thanks to AstroGizmos (AHSP supporter and vendor), we expect to have wireless Internet access available in or near the camping areas.

In addition, Internet access is available at the Earth Shelter structure near the entrance of The Mountain Institute. This facility is a lengthy-but-pleasant walk of nearly a mile from the camping areas.

The Mountain Institute is in a remote area, and they're also in the middle of the National Radio Quiet Zone surrounding NRAO-Green Bank. So it's safe to say that your cell phone almost certainly won't work. Land-line telephone service is available in the main yurt, however, and calls to any destination in the United States are complimentary.