Discover the wonders of space and nature
Our historic facility and impressive telescopes draw both curious travelers and esteemed scientists from around the world. With the Pisgah National Forest in our backyard, PARI is the perfect addition for those visiting the area to enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, river rafting, and exploring our many surrounding waterfalls.
PARI’s ridge-top views provide a unique vantage point to experience seasonal bursts of color and lush foliage. PARI is an internationally certified DARK SKY PARK, providing nights filled with brilliant stars, flashes of meteors, and the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon.
PARI hosts educators, their students, special interest groups, families, and friends for hands-on learning experiences that inspire a life long love of science and encourage new adventures.
Let a scientist guide your visit, or explore on your own
Design your own visit from a library of programs and planetarium shows
PARI can provide the knowledge and experience to support scouting acheivements
We have options from tent-side star-gazing to comfortable cabins
Customize your special event at PARI for exactly what your group needs
View meteor showers, planets, nebulae, and galaxies, or take in a guest speaker or one-of-a-kind activity
Customize your special event at PARI for exactly what your group needs
Create a multi-day stay full of learning and discovery or use PARI as a base to explore the region
These are the hours when there are staff in the office who are able to answer phone calls. If you have some questions or would like to book a visit over the phone, these is the best time to do it.
| Day | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Office Closed | |
| Monday | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | Office Closed | |
PARI is closed on the following national holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independance Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. PARI may be closed or have limited hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, the day after Thansgiving, and Christmas Eve.
This is when guests can stop by to see the museum and experience other things at PARI so long as a private event or certain types of maintenance or research tasks are not occurring.
Please note that we cannot guarantee entry to any guests who do not make an appointment. Unless you are coming to an event on our calendar and have reserved a spot or purchased tickets, when applicable, we strongly recommend calling ahead before you visit during these times.
| Day | Open | Last Visitors Admitted |
Close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed | ||
| Monday | 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
|
Some Saturdays Call ahead or check calendar |
10:00 am | 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
When groups reserve the PARI site or facilities for a visit or event, we may not be open to the general public for normal museum and visitation during that time. Reservations that may cause us to limit public access include school field trips, scouting events, conferences, parties and weddings, summer camps, and private special events.
PARI may be closed to the public during some types of maintenance activities, research activities, or spacecraft communication or tracking work.
1 PARI Drive
Rosman, NC 28772
📲The PARI site has controlled access. The entrance gate may be closed when you arrive.
Use the call button in the silver box to the left of the gate to buzz in.
📶Many cell phones do not get signal near PARI, but you may use our WiFi once you arrive. Please
plan accordingly for your drive.
PARI reserves copyright on all content on this site except where otherwise noted. © 2026 Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
