Directions to the
AAAP Observatory

Take Route I-95 (from Route 1, take I-95 south, toward Delaware River-Pennsylvania) to exit "3 B-A, Scotch Road (general aviation)".
Where the exit splits - bear RIGHT onto 3B (Scotch Road North)

The exit ramp feeds you directly onto Scotch Road (north). Continue on Scotch Road (you'll pass hospital entrance signs on the right) Continue to the fourth set of traffic lights (get in far left lane).

That major intersection is Washington Crossing - Pennington Road / Route 546 At this intersection, make a left onto Washington Crossing Pennington Road.

Take Washington Crossing Pennington Road a little over 1 mile to the second traffic light. Turn right at that light onto Bear Tavern Road.

Proceed (north) on Bear Tavern Road about a 1/2 mile (the park is on your left).

** Where the road inclines a bit -- at the top of the hill is the park entrance on your left. Be careful, there are no lights marking the entrance, it is difficult to see. If you go to Church Road, you have missed the entrance.

PLEASE NOTE!! IF THE PARK GATE, AT BEAR TAVERN ROAD, IS CLOSED, THE SIMPSON OBSERVATORY IS NOT OPEN. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT THE GATE IF IT IS CLOSED. THE STATE PARK RANGERS WILL CONSIDER YOU TRESPASSING.

If the gate is open (see public night availability here), drive through the gate. Continue on the paved road about 150 yards, past the soccer fields on your right, and through the second gate.

IGNORE THE RESTRICTION SIGNS AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON THE DIRT ROAD TO THE NEXT OPEN GATE.

At the next gate - you will turn right onto a newly-paved road. Follow that road, around a sharp left curve and up the road about 100 feet.

The entrance to the observatory is on your right. It is not marked, but you will see parked cars. Please do not drive your car into the observatory entrance - park it on the RIGHT SIDE (only) of the paved road. There is also a parking lot further down the road (about 30 yards), where it is recommended you leave your car.

Click here for a map.

Please do not carry flashlights into the observatory area after dark. It causes loss of night vision.

To confirm you are visiting on a public night, please call the observatory at: 609-737-2575. You are welcome to email the observatory staff with any questions in advance of your visit.

If the observatory is open for that evening, a staff member will make every attempt to answer your call. If the weather is questionable, and you keep getting the observatory answering machine after (the time of) sunset, it is likely the public night has been cancelled. However - clear nights permitting - we very much look forward to showing you some of the extraordinary sights in the universe.