explore nature,
seek the stars.

View Our Program Calendar

extraordinary wonders are closer than you think…

A family of four, including a man, woman, and two children, are leaning on a wooden railing outdoors in a green, wooded area, looking and pointing attentively at something in the distance.

A close-up of a deer and a fawn touching noses in a grassy, wooded area.

A person holding a bearded dragon lizard outdoors with a group of children and adults blurred in the background.

Person silhouette standing in a dark outdoor area watching a starry night sky with many stars and a faint Milky Way galaxy.

Welcome to the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, where your journey into the wonders of nature and the cosmos begins. Embark on an adventure that will ignite your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the universe around us. By day, immerse yourself in our nature center, home to birds of prey, bees, and other native wildlife. Discover our botanic garden, nature trails, and engaging educational programs designed for all ages! By night, gaze up at the stars inside of the nation’s largest publicly accessible observatory.

A gray and brown speckled owl perched on a wooden branch

A person showing two children a telescope outside the Oregon Observatory at night with a star-filled sky and constellations in the background.

Directions

Hours & Admission

View Our Program Calendar

Volunteers at SNCO engage directly with and are critical to our mission. Recurring volunteer opportunities are available in our animal care, education, naturalist, front desk, observatory, project ponderosa, and thrift store roles!

become a volunteer

Silhouette of an eagle clutching a yellow aircraft in its talons, within a circular emblem.

Help us care for our ambassador animals, so they can inspire the world’s future conservationists.

Learn how to operate state-of-the-art telescopes to inspire guests to love the night sky.

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Help tend to seedlings growing to create more biodiverse landscapes in our neighborhoods.

A small plant sprout growing from a mound of soil within a circular border.

Contribute your time at the Second Tern Thrift Store where we turn donated items into curated gems, with all proceeds benefiting SNCO!

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….and more!

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Learn more

become a member

Members get discounted benefits and other things that make this a great way to support Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory!

Unlimited free daytime admission to Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
Discounts on select programs, rentals and purchases
Early registration for kids camps

Subscription to our printed newsletter

Exclusive access to members-only events, promotions and offers
and more!

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make a donation

For over 50 years, generations of students and families have created special memories at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Those memories have been made possible thanks to the careful planning and generosity of thousands of individuals through giving their time as volunteers and financially through annual donations and bequests.

Make A Donation Today!