Summary: Glamping under the stars led by a chill, sociable host who loves to share knowledge. Would recommend! My partner saw an ad for this place on Instagram and we decided to make it our destination for a several day road trip. The campsite was well-equipped and well-described on their website, so I would highly recommend reading through their website before booking. It's exactly as described! The stargazing itself was very educational and flexible based on what we and other campers wanted to see. Our host was even gracious enough to get up again at 3 am to show us Saturn as he told us it would be visible the night we went. Even after the late night/early morning session, he prepared coffee for the group bright and early. read more

Eastern Sierra Observatory - Shiftpods on the side of the mountain - Observatories Near Me

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Just got home from a weekend at the ESO. Can't say enough good things about the wild and wonderful space that Scott, ESO proprietor, has created. The environment was stunning day and night. The technology and accommodations were as advertised. The clever lunar lighting of the camp was a particular highlight. It creates a transported vibe, while allowing you safely navigate the space while keeping your eyes primed for stargazing. Finally, Scott is a laid back, friendly, informative and helpful host. You're on the side of a mountain, so definitely be prepared for chilly nights. Also, as others have mentioned, it is a prerequisite that you know how to click a Google maps link and follow the directions ;) Overall, can't recommend exploring the ESO highly enough! read more

I reserved 3 pods from 3/24-3/26. This is the email I sent to Scott of Eastern Sierra Observatory (otherwise known as Eastern Sierra Death Valley Star camp). "I would like a refund for 1 pod based on the following.  I arrived after dark there were no signs or indications of where the pods were located. In fact, I passed the area twice. I only found it because the rest of my party were worried and walked to the road with lanterns. My husband, son, daughter,  and two other children never arrived that night. I searched for them for hours not getting to bed until 1am. And running outside when I heard a car at 3 am. I have excavated in remote places. It is easy enough to indicate where to go. For example,  providing your own map. My husband used the link you sent but it directed my husband to go a different way,  a much longer route. They were still in the car looking for the site until 10:30 pm. They started the drive at noon. 10.5 hours in a car for 13 boys. My son has ADHD. They were worried and scared. It would be simple enough to make your own mao with mileage indicators. Like turn right on Indian Wells road,  go 10 miles until you see road flares on your right (I put some out when I was waiting for my husband)  turn right over the road bump and you'll see the silver pods. Perhaps you're used to it, but there is nothing to indicate where to turn on that road at night. The alien thing sits on the left where there is no road. With three headlight facing straight ahead the entrance to the pods does not look like a road at all. It was very frustrating and scary. We thought (I was withmy other daughter)I would have to sleep in the van. When we arrived at the camp and found that my husband and other children had not arrived.  I panicked. The van got stuck because again there were no indicators to show where one could drive or not. It was stuck. You went to look,  which I appreciate but walked off when you came back never even checking in on how we were doing or even suggesting putting out flares for them. That was not right. You were in charge and should have been prepared for something like this considering the map was useless and there were no indications of how far to go. They went through Death Valley in the opposite direction! I understand the necessity of no light use. However,  it would be easy enough to put fluorescent tape around a stake to indicate a path to the telescope site as well. Based on the lack of use of the second pod, the fact that we could not see the stars on the brightest night, and the real fear of my husband and children being lost which they were,  I would like a refund for one pod for two nights. I think it is a fair request as I am not for a refund of all three pods. Thank you" Here is Scott's response. "Renee, With every new message you've sent from the beginning, it has become increasingly apparent that you have an extremely hard time comprehending what is being said. I'm going to go ahead and use bullet points here in hopes that it will be easier for you: I am Scott, your host at the Dark Sky Starcamp was Mark You are by far the highest maintenance customer we've ever had -- BY FAR We've exchanged more correspondence with you and answered more questions for you - often having to repeat the answers - than any other customer we've ever had by far -- BY FAR It appears that your blatant arrogance prevents you from reading/listening well -- "I'm an anthropology professor so I know what's up." --- Really?? Who says that?! Your actions and repeated state of confusion say otherwise. You keep citing how long the drive was, and you cited your son's ADHD -- why do you think those are relevant? Did you not know about both of those conditions before you booked your stay? You may need to return to school yourself, professor, as it's obvious that you're not sound on the scientific method whatsoever. Even if you didn't use one of the SHIFTPODs on one night, you still had your extra tents setup around it and were occupying that space, so it's quite a stretch and even flirting with pseudo-science for you to say that you didn't use it. The GPS pin is correct, as has been verified with several other guests. I'm not sure why you're not capable of navigating to a GPS pin, but after all of your other shenanigans it's also not surprising. I didn't say that Mark volunteered to go look for your husband -- I said he went to look for him at your insistence (Yet another example of you not comprehending what is being said.) I didn't say that your husband said that it was his fault -- I said that he told Mark that his vehicle has overheating issues and that he doesn't like to drive it in the desert at night because of that. (Yet ANOTHER example of you not comprehending what is being said.) SHAME ON YOU FOR YOUR FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO EXTORT OUR SMALL BUSINESS BECAUSE OF YOUR SHORTCOMINGS. read more

Had an amazing time here. Scott was a great host and gave us a great tip about a local swimming hole! The observatory had a nice outdoor shower set up, hot tub, telescope for stargazing, very comfortable cots in tents called "Shift Pods" that were on sturdy platforms, etc. Had dinner overlooking the valley with a gorgeous sunset. Worthy every penny of the booking. read more

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