Site Coordinator – Tom Semrov

Overview

NOVAC members may observe at Spruce Knob Mountain Center (SKMC) in West Virginia. SKMC is one of the premier dark sky sites on the East Coast and provides an outstanding observing location as well as civilized amenities like hot showers and internet access.

Availability

Experience Learning will provide NOVAC members access to the Shower Shack and an annual total of 30 campsites (each a 3-night stay) on the High Plains. NOVAC members may rent out dorm beds or yurts directly from Experience Learning on their own. The main campus may be in use by other groups.

You must email site the coordinator to reserve space and sign a liability waiver required by Experience Learning, the Spruce3 Knob management company.  Available dates for 2026 are:

17-20 April, 12-15 June, 4-7 Sept, and 9-12 Oct, 6-9 Nov.

Location Coordinates

SKMC EntranceN 38° 40′ 25”W 079° 34′ 11”
Center of Main Observing FieldN 38° 40′ 36”W 079° 34′ 02”
Center of CCD Imaging AreaN 38° 41′ 10”W 079° 33′ 45”
RV Area / YurtsN 38° 41′ 00”W 079° 33′ 26”

 Maps

Overhead of the Field

SKMC Current Weather

Clear Sky Clock

Drawing of the Yurts and Facilities

Last Turn Directions and Map

SKMC Map and DirectionsDownload

Directions

18 Woodlands Way
Circleville, WV 26804

The directions below are provided in two parts: The first portion covers whatever approach you take up to Judy Gap and the second covers you from Judy gap up the facility off Sawmill Rd. however your first approach.

Here are the printable single sheet directions for SKMC with pictures of the signs as well additional helpful information.

Directions from Washington, D.C. and points north of D.C.

Directions from points West

Directions from points Southwest

Directions from points Southeast

Directions from Judy Gap

FAQ

General Information

As guests of The Mountain Institute, NOVAC members must abide by all rules and instructions that TMI staff may provide regarding the use of the site. Failure to do so will be grounds for TMI observing priviledges being revoked.

Aside from astronomy, what else is there to do?

  • Explore nearby Spruce Knob Lake which offers boating, fishing and hiking.
  • Enjoy the scenery, bring your camera and binoculars.
  • There are plenty of trails for hiking and biking.
  • Check out the Monongahela National Forest.
  • We plan to have internet connectivity, so you won’t be entirely cut off from the world.

Will there be power available to recharge batteries?

There are power receptacles for battery charging in the woodshed (toolshed) and outside on the deck at the main yurt.

Accommodations

Can I camp and stay with my equipment?

Absolutely. Camping will be on the observing field. The field is quite large, so you’ll also be able to park right on the field. Note that “camping activites” such as open fires are prohibited, as are any white-light sources on or near the observing area.

How do I make reservations?

NOVAC members may reserve a limited number of camping spaces free of charge. Once booked up, additional accommodations can still be reserved for $20 per night for camping. These reservations are first-come, first-served and you may reserve space up to 60 days in advance. Each campsite can include multiple members of the same immediate family such as husband/wife, life partner and children.  Non-member guests are welcomed to camp but will be charged

Can I have a campfire and cook my own meals?

You may not have a campfire nor produce smoke which would interfere with anyone’s observing and fire poses additional safety concerns. You may, however use self contained stoves and chemical heating packs. You may also use the kitchen at TMI to prepare meals when it is not being used by TMI staff.

How do I get from the dorms to observing and meals?

Dorms are located in easy walking distance to both the dining area and the observing field.

Is there any phone or Internet connectivity?

  • Due to the site’s remoteness and location within the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), cell phone service is unavailable. SKMC has a phone and you may use it occasionally at their discretion.
  • There is Internet service available at the Earth Shelter, so you can access the web and your email. When others are waiting to use the computer you must limit your sessions to 15 minutes.

Observing Conditions and Rules

Can I have any light on the field? Since it is very easy to lose one’s dark adaptation there will be no glow sticks nor any source of white light. Only low powered, red-filtered flashlights are permitted in the observing areas.

Will there be power on the field?

No.

What will the temperature be like?

The observing field is 4300 feet above sea level. Expect a wide range of temperatures. During the day temperatures can range from 50 degrees to 80 degrees and temperatures at night can get down to the 40s even in June. Here’s a weather page for Spruce Knob. Dress warmly and in layers.

Weather

NOVAC member Bob Traube made the following suggestions for getting current weather and forecast information for Spruce Knob:

I like to use this site for Spruce Knob Mountain Center weather.

Weather Underground, SKMC Station

It shows realtime data from the weather station that NOVAC installed on the SKMC grounds and the Wunderground forecast is reasonably accurate much if not most of the time.  It nailed the predictions for both Sat & Sunday nights (recent conditions).  Obviously, the further out you go, the less accurate it is since it’s hard to get data on butterfly flapping in China that far out.

The other source I like is “Storm” (for iOS) It is also from Wunderground, so it’s not necessarily an independent confirmation.

I can, however, predict with confidence that our weather this week will be exactly like the weather at AHSP next month….Unpredictable.

NWS forecast information for SKMC is found here.

One perennial problem is that local weather on the mountain differs from overall area weather — the microclimate. Sometimes adverse weather is below us, and sometimes it forms over us. Things can change suddenly, both for better or for worse.

SKMC is shielded from some mountain winds by ridges west and east — Back Ridge and the extended south ridge of Spruce Mountain. That terrain can also cause fogs to linger in the shallow valley.

Another mountain effect is rapid cooling in the evening due to the altitude and being above much of the water vapor in the lower atmosphere.