The Turner Farm

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open dawn to dusk except for speciality, after-hours events hosted only on Friday nights
703-324-2820 TTY 711
925 Springvale Road
Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Sebastian Arnez
Turner Farm Observatory Educator

The Turner Farm

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Upcoming Events

Apr
24
Telescope Observing for Beginners
8:00PM, 24, (8-Adult) This course covers the basics of observing the night sky and…
May
04
The Sun - Our Neighborhood Star
11:00AM, 04, (5-Adult) Learn what causes the Sun to shine, the Sun's life cycle, and how…
May
04
Fairfax Poet Laureate - Poetry Beneath the Stars
7:30PM, 04, (8-Adult) Write a poem while gazing at the night sky to see if you can find…
May
13
Night Sky Tour at the Roll-Top Observatory
8:00PM, 13, (8-Adult) Take a tour of planets, constellations, stars, nebulas, and…
May
18
Basics of Birding
8:00AM, 18, (10-Adult) Watching birds is a great way to connect with the natural world…
May
20
Introduction to Astronomy
8:00PM, 20, (8-Adult) This course provides a general introduction to some fundamentals…

Free Friday Viewings at Turner Farm Park Observatory 

southern hemisphere

Friday Night Viewing Status*

*This page is updated until 4 p.m. on Fridays. Please call 703-324-2820 to check status after 4 p.m. on Fridays.

  • The Analemma Society holds Friday Night Public Viewing Sessions at Turner Farm in Great Falls, VA.
  • Visit the Roll-Top Observatory in action where Analemma Volunteers guide the public to seeing celestial objects through several telescopes in the observatory room.
  • Visitors are invited to bring their own telescopes or binoculars

2024 Schedule-Every clear Friday night, weather permitting.

  • 8-10 p.m. April 12 to May 3
  • 8:30-10:30 p.m. May 10 through the fall

Visit the Analemma Website for more information.

Corporate, Community & Scouting Group Programs

  • Elevate your group's experience with a unique program tailored just for you!
  • Engage with our astronomers, tour the telescope room, and make mind-blowing observations.
  • Daytime programs feature solar telescopes for sun-gazing.
  • Nighttime programs include constellation tours and celestial object viewing.
  • Perfect for participants 8 years or older.
  • Scouting badge options available.
Due to the high demand for scouting and group programs, reservations for groups need to be made at least two months in advance.
Submit Group Inquiry

Hours

The Turner Farm grounds are open to the public daily, dawn to dusk, except for after-hours astronomy events hosted on Friday nights by the Analemma Society. Visit Astronomy Programs or the Analemma Society website for a schedule of events. 

The picnic shelter and playground are open, and the shelter can be reserved through the picnic office. Equestrian facilities are open and have some permitted events. 

There are no entrance fees at the park. There is no staff at the park.

Equestrian Facilities

This former dairy farm is open for general riding. It has almost 40 acres of open fields enclosed by perimeter fencing. Features include a novice-level, cross-country course with water, ditch and bank complexes, a round pen, a large (200’ x 300’) multi-purpose outdoor arena with all-weather footing, stadium jumps and dressage markers.

Learn More

Playground and Picnics

Turner Farm has a playground for small children at the end of the paved parking lot. There is a picnic pavilion/shelter available to rent. The Great Falls Lions Club sponsored the playground through a generous donation. Planned community facilities include jogging/walking trails, a bird habitat and observation areas.

Picnic Shelter Information

Observatory Park

The observatory has an Orientation Room used for educational programs. An Observation Room includes three telescopes with room for a fourth as private funding becomes available. The observatory features a retractable roof that rolls over the top of a fixed roof that covers the Orientation Room.

Turner Farm Classes, Camps and Programs

Equestrian Classes

Scout Programs

Volunteer at Turner Farm Park

Contact The Turner Farm

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