The Star Party Story

The Year Long Star Party came into being after the Gatewood Group Camping Area changed from a free public camping area to a limited access, fee based campground in 2002. 

At first this seemed like it would be the end of the game for those of us who loved observing from this location.  However, with a little creativity, we have turned this site into one of the very best options for amateur astronomers available anywhere!

The Year Long Star Party seemed like the very best way to give all amateurs from around the region very inexpensive access to this fantastic site.

Thanks to the leadership of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, the entire campground is reserved for strictly astronomical use!  No concerns with lanterns, camp fires, noisy generators, etc!

Amateur astronomers have found the Spruce Knob area to be one of the darkest areas east of the Mississippi.

More Spruce Knob and Gatewood Information

The Gatewood Group Camping Area is located in the Spruce Knob - Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area just west of the summit of Spruce Knob. This dark sky site has rustic camping facilities and a wonderful field sheltered from the famous Spruce Knob wind.

Spruce Knob is situated in eastern Randolph County in a remote part of Monongahela National Forest and is about a 4 ½ hour drive from the Washington area. At an elevation of 4,868 feet above sea level, the summit is the highest point in the state. The Gatewood Group Camping Area is a few miles away on the next ridge to the west and a bit less than 500 feet lower. A sheltered meadow adjacent to the camping area provides an excellent place to set up telescopes under skies with a limiting magnitude approaching and occasionally exceeding 7 on a clear night.

Spruce Knob light pollution compared to other east coast areas (2001).
Circle represents 100 miles.


Image ©  P. Cinzano, F. Falchi, C. D. Elvidge. http://www.inquinamentoluminoso.it/worldatlas/pages/index.htm.

There is no water or power at the campground, so remember to bring adequate provisions in addition to your camping gear. The site has two vault-type toilets.

The weather on the mountain can be fickle, even in the summertime, so it’s a good idea to bring cold weather gear even if you don’t think you’ll need it. During a trip last year in late July we experienced a forty-degree drop in temperature during one twenty-four hour period. It pays to be prepared. A solar shower is also a good item to bring, especially if we experience hot weather instead. Water is available at Spruce Knob Lake Campground, but no showers.

Please note that Spruce Knob is a remote wilderness area. Wild bear have been spotted in the area and observers should exercise good camping practices (do not leave food outside). Since the area is within the National Radio Quiet Zone, cell phones will not work and medical care is non-existent on the mountain top.

Finally, if you haven’t been to the Spruce Knob area before, it’s a good idea to plan to arrive before sunset. The route isn’t too difficult, but finding the campground, getting a tent pitched, and setting up astronomical equipment is much easier before dark. Standard star party etiquette applies. So if you’re not planning to stay the entire night, please park on the drive leading to the campground parking area in order to avoid shining automobile headlights on to the observing area.

 
Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia at 4,850 feet.  Gatewood is nearly as high at 4,338 feet.  This is a view of Spruce Knob from across the valley to the east.

The observing field is immediately adjacent to the rustic camping area.  Here is a view from the east side of the field looking to the west.

Here is another view of the field from the south edge looking to the north.  Notice how the trees provide a wind block.

We set-up camp at this site right next to the observing field.  There are officially three sites at Gatewood, but you can camp anywhere in the National Forest as long as you leave no trace.

This is another campsite that boarders the observing field.

The toilets don't have running water, but are well maintained by the Forest Service.