By Lori Dugan/EA
MOUNT GRAHAM – Eastern Arizona College Discovery Park is inviting the public to experience one of Arizona’s most unique science adventures through the 2026 Mount Graham International Observatory tour season.
The popular tours provide rare behind-the-scenes access to three internationally renowned research facilities located atop Mount Graham, including the Large Binocular Telescope, the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, and the Submillimeter Telescope. Visitors will have the opportunity to see firsthand where scientists and astronomers from around the world conduct groundbreaking research and explore some of the most advanced telescopes ever built.
The all-day adventure begins at 9 a.m. at EA Discovery Park in Safford. Participants start with an orientation before traveling by Discovery Park passenger van to Mount Graham. Along the way, guests learn about the mountain’s rich natural and cultural history and make a stop at Columbine Ranger Station before continuing to the observatory complex at approximately 10,500 feet in elevation.
Tour participants will visit the Submillimeter Telescope, a facility that has contributed to international astronomical research, including projects associated with the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration that produced the first image of a black hole. Visitors will also explore the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, home to one of the world’s most precise optical mirrors, and tour multiple levels of the Large Binocular Telescope, widely regarded as one of the world’s most powerful optical telescopes.
The 2026 tour dates are:
- June 6, 13, 20, and 27
- July 11, 18, and 25
- Aug. 1, 8, 15, and 22
- Sept. 12 and 26
- Oct. 17 and 24
Tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and begin and end at EA Discovery Park.
Tickets are $75 per person. Participants must be at least 12 years old to attend.
Because access to the observatory facilities is limited, registration closes 10 days before each tour date. Early registration is encouraged as tours frequently fill to capacity.
The observatories on Mount Graham are among the most significant astronomical research facilities in the world. The tour program offers a rare opportunity for members of the public to visit active research facilities and gain insight into the science and technology used to explore the universe.
To register or learn more about the tours, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mt-graham-international-observatory-tours-1313229.
About EA Discovery Park
EA Discovery Park is Eastern Arizona College’s 120-acre science, nature, and educational campus in Safford, Arizona. Featuring hands-on exhibits, research facilities, astronomy programs, nature trails, and community events, Discovery Park inspires curiosity and lifelong learning for visitors of all ages. As the official visitor center for the Mount Graham International Observatory, Discovery Park connects the public with world-class science while showcasing the natural and cultural heritage of southeastern Arizona.
