Tucson Kitt Peak Visitor Center Admission

Set high above the Arizona desert, Kitt Peak Visitor Center offers a close-up look at the science and stories behind astronomical discovery. This general admission ticket lets you explore the observatory campus’s public spaces at your own pace, with mountain views and hands-on exhibits along the way.

Browse the public exhibit areas, then visit Taṣogida Ki: Center for Astronomy Outreach inside the iconic McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. Interactive displays introduce the history and future of solar observation in a space once home to the world’s largest solar telescope. At the SOLARIO area, take part in solar viewing and see how specialized instruments capture and study sunlight. You can also relax on the Visitor Center Patio and visit the gift shop. Public areas are open from 10am to 3pm.

Check in at the Visitor Center when you arrive. The ticket does not include guided telescope tours or access to the McMath-Pierce telescope’s inside viewing area, and transportation to Kitt Peak is not provided. Expect some walking, standing, and uphill paths at the 2,096-meter summit. Come ready to explore the Tucson-area skies from a remarkable mountaintop setting.