Rules & Regulations

OSP Safety Tips

Generator Policy

Fire Restriction Info

What amenities are there at Indian Trail Spring? - Our site has no natural amenities other than great dark skies. OSP provides camping space along with portable toilets, sinks and even an 18-wheeler shower truck! There is a Chuckwagon for food daily from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday noon. There is also a very large Activities Tent for our speakers program, a Registration Tent as you enter the area, a Youth Activities Tent, and a Volunteer Information and OSP Information Tent.

Potable water is NOT available on site so you need to bring bottled water along with you for drinking or cooking.

This is high desert and it can be hot during the day and cold at night. So bring sunscreen, hat, and cool clothes for the daytime and warm clothing for the late night viewing. Did we mention to bring plenty of bottled water? It can be very windy and dusty at times, so cover your telescope and tie down anything loose to a bucket of rocks (and we have lots of rocks).

Propane barbecues, and propane or white gas stoves only are permitted by the Forest Service as long as they are off the ground and not a danger to the surrounding area. Charcoal briquettes are NOT allowed.

Smoking permitted only in a vehicle or on the graveled roadway and smoking materials to be disposed of only in a fireproof container or inside your vehicle’s ashtray.

Road closed between 8pm and 10am - If you arrive after 8pm, the road into the main area will be blocked and you are asked to camp in the late night arrival area at the entry near the registration tent. The road will reopen at 10am in the morning.

Do people tent camp or bring trailers or RV's? - All of the above. RVs and trailers are allowed along the graveled road only and tents, van conversions, and tent trailers are allowed along the graveled road and in the trees. However, other restrictions may be in place for where vehicles are allowed on site as needed or required by the USFS. Fire Restrictions here. Generator Restrictions here.

How are the fees based? - We base our registration fees upon our total projected costs and the expected amount of revenue from all attendees. The fees cover the cost of our permit fees to use this site as well as all rented items and services provided at OSP. They also go to cover occasional long term investments such as graveling the road again and purchasing needed equipment.

What do these fees cover? - They cover your camping space for three days and admission to all activities held on site along with a door prize ticket and Observers Packet. The only additional potential costs to attendees are for sales items such as showers, meals, shirts, group photos, etc. Details regarding the cost of these items are found in our registration form.

Pet Policy - Pets are allowed at OSP as long as they do not cause any threat to others or interfere with quiet hours. Pets must be on a leash and under owner control when outside at all times. Pets cannot be left unattended outside, even when on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for the behavior and actions of their pets at all times.  Pet owners must pick up after their pet in all locations at OSP. Please also be aware that any lost pet abandoned at OSP (yes, someone actually did that one year) are doomed to die in this remote wilderness.

When are quiet hours? - Quiet hours are from 3am until 10:30 am to allow for undisturbed sleeping in after a long night's observing. Please be considerate of your neighbors and do not talk loudly or bang car doors, etc.

Do I have to own a telescope to attend OSP? - You do not need to bring a telescope or other observing gear as many folks are thrilled to share views of various objects. Please note that some who attend are working on personal observing projects and do not want to be bothered. If you run into someone who seems focused on their own projects, please wander on to the next observer.