Get To Know Us

    Observer Ranch Campground & Learning Center is an educational campground, offering classes, a library and learning opportunities in addition to camping activities! Located in Penrose, Colorado, with plenty to explore outdoors in the surrounding areas! 

    Our Little Spark Library has 350+ books focused on Earth/Space Science, Nature, Outdoors, Classics, Gardening/Homesteading, Permaculture and more! Nurture your love of learning here and find a book that inspires you!

    Our Learning Center will provide a space for informative classes, events, hands-on learning, and appeal to different learning styles and preferences! It is equipped with a 120′ projector.

    Our hope is that you’ll come as you are, with your family, friends, kids, loved ones to connect to nature, and learn/deepen understanding of topics that pique your interest – we look forward to having you visit! 

    The Team at Observer Ranch

    Campground for Today, Education for Tomorrow

    DRIVING DIRECTIONS

    4509 CR 123, Penrose, CO 81240

    (719) 203-2436

    From Denver/Colorado Springs: I-25 South to CO-115 South.

    Turn right on Third Street (due west) as you enter Penrose, which turns into Fremont CR 123 in about 5 miles. Observer Ranch will be on your right (north side). 

    From Pueblo: I-25 North to Exit 101 (50 West) until you get to CR 67 and turn right (due north). Go approximately 3 miles, turn right (due east) onto Fremont CR 123, Observer Ranch will be on your left (4509 CR 123).

    OUR STORY

    2014-2015: The Mobile Observatory Project traveled across the country in a retrofitted RV (75 events in 41 states and 4 provinces in 8 months!), doing educational outreach at museums, planetariums, schools and other venues, as well as hosting an annual conference series, Observing The Frontier from 2015-2019.

    Over the last decade, we’ve hosted various Lunch and Learn events, published books, hosted conferences, participated in community events; the Observer community has grown and our team hopes to bring the same spirit of community and connection at Observer Ranch! 

    Learn a bit about our journey that has spanned over the last decade to get us here today:

    March 2014
    In 2014, we ran a Kickstarter to bring you The Mobile Observatory Project - an outreach mission to share all things about the sun and space weather! We had 800+ sponsors help make this goal a reality. We rented out our home and hit the road!!
    June 2014
    The RV retrofit is complete!
    2015
    The Mobile Observatory Project travels through 40+ states and 4 provinces from June 2014 through February 2015, with over 75+ events!
    2016
    After putting the RV into storage, we focused on running Observing The Frontier conferences, an annual family friendly forum for attendees to hear speakers share their research.
    2017
    Conferences continue, adding a Student Session for students to earn prizes!
    2019
    Children's books about space are published!
    2020
    Learning about the Sun!
    January 2021
    We've officially CLOSED on 70 acres in hopes of building a campground for 0bservers! 🎉🎉🎉
    February 2021
    Staking 12 acres for construction!
    June 2021
    Talented engineers putting together Concept Plan and discussing infrastructure!
    July 2021
    We are continuing to work on the design phase of the learning center and campground, including getting roadbase. We've got buffalo gourds growing, about 100 lining the creek!
    September 2021
    Organized an Observer Ranch campground design contest and received over 50 entries! A final design was chosen, but it will incorporate aspects we loved from all of the entries!
    December 2021
    Breaking ground! Getting started on building roads and infrastructure at the ranch!
    January 2022
    Making progress on the Observer Ranch Library design!
    February 2022
    Working on creating planet-inspired trailers for the ranch! We currently have Earth and Mars. Excited to expand into the whole solar system!
    March 2022
    The snow is melting and construction is continuing with True North! We are also jumpstarting on planning special events and courses that will be offered at the ranch!
    April 2022
    Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Observer Happy Hour this month!
    May 2022
    Summer is just around the corner at the ranch, but a few snow capped mountains can still be seen on the horizon. We are thankful for this beautiful space in Colorado!
    June 2022
    We hosted an Observer Tai Chi class, touching on the mindful connection between the universe and our everyday life!
    July 2022
    Welcoming summer at the ranch with these stunning "Sun" flowers!
    August 2022
    Observer August Meetup! Thank you to Rocky Top Mountain Campground for providing the beautiful location! The rain did not keep us from having a great time with fellow Observers!
    apprioval
    September 2022
    We are officially approved! A team lunch to celebrate Observer Ranch's official County Commissioner's approval!
    apprioval
    October 2022
    This month we hosted two Observer Events in Arizona! Thank you to the Scottsdale Sound Sanctuary and Flying Leap Winery. We are reminded of just how special it is for our community to come together.
    November 2022
    We hosted the official ranch ground breaking ceremony! We are looking forward to making building progress.
    January 2023
    Our first Observer event of the year! We loved getting to meet with Observers in Cheyenne, WY. This is the first of many tour stops this year.
    March 2023
    Hosting our Observer Lecture event in San Jose, CA!
    May 2023
    We now have some doors and windows in our main administration building!
    June 2023
    Snowmelt water is still flowing through Eight Mile Creek on Observer Ranch! Over 3 billion gallons of water flowed through the ranch this month!
    September 2023
    The drywall is up and we are beginning to buildout the coffee bar that will be in the main Administrative Building.
    October 2023
    We hosted a Observer Community Event in Colorado Springs at a local axe throwing business.
    November 2023
    Hosting our first walk-through tour of Observer Ranch at our last event before the end of the year.
    December 2023
    Our flooring is finished in the main area of the Administration Building.
    January 2024
    Cabinets are delivered!
    February 2024
    More materials are delivered, progress continues to be made at the ranch!
    April 2024
    Work continues inside the support building!
    May 2024
    Wrapping up school events!
    June 2024
    Moving trailers to their new home!
    August 2024
    Launching Rockets at Open House!

    Community

    …I’m constantly blown away by the detail, the research just the sheer amount of time and data it takes to put out these videos…

    J. Hammock

    Join The Mission