Public Tours- Temporarily Closed

Located at the base of Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains, 47 miles south from the University of Arizona in Tucson and just within the boundary of the Coronado National Forest, the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Visitors Center features displays and exhibits on astronomy and astrophysics, natural science, and cultural history. The Visitors Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed on Federal holidays).

The general public is welcome to visit the MMT. Tours are arranged through the Visitors Center and are conducted from mid-March through November on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The cost is $10 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 6-12. Tours begin at 9 a.m. at the Visitors Center with a video presentation. A bus leaves the office at 9:30 a.m. and returns by 3 p.m. Participants should bring a lunch with them. Note that the summit elevation is 8550 ft. so be prepared for cooler temperatures and moderate exertion in thinner air. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (520) 879-4407.