Hotels
There are several choices for hotels and bed and breakfasts in the Socorro area. Check the Socorro County chamber of commerce website. Anything listed with a Socorro address is less than a five minute drive from most events.Where am I allowed to camp?
ESSP registered participants may camp in the parking area outside the earth burm at the Etscorn Observatory and or on the South side of the El Camino Real International Heritage Center for the duration of the star party event. Dry Camping only is provided. *Note: RV and tent camping is not allowed at the Magdalene Ridge Observatory. Warm up, kitchen, and restroom facilities are available.
NO. ESSP events take place in and around Socorro County from 10,000ft on top of Mt. Baldy, to the Stallion Gate at White Sands Missile Range, to the VLA on the Plains of San Augustine. All ESSP participants must be prepared to drive their own vehicle. (Car pooling to the various events is sometimes informally organized at the request of participants.)
No. Although the last bit of road to the Etscorn campus observatory and the road from Water Canyon up to the ridge of South Baldy are both unpaved, they are well maintained and standard passenger cars have made the trip without problems in the past. The road up to South Baldy is steep and winding. Please remember mountain driving etiquette. Click for mountain driving tips.
ESSP volunteers are on duty to watch over the campsites at both Etscorn Observatory and El Camino Real International Heritage Center, however it is your responsibility to secure your equipment to protect against the unpredictable, New Mexico weather.
There is a restroom at the Etscorn Campus Observatory (no shower) and at the El Camino Real Heritage Center (no shower). However, The Heritage Center closes a 5pm. After closing a porta-potty is provided for overnight use until the Heritage Center opens in the morning. Restrooms are available at all the other facilities visited by star party attendees. If you are camping and want a shower, you can show your star party badge at the New Mexico Tech gym and gain access to showers.
Cameras are allowed and encouraged at all star party events except White Sands Missile Range.
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