About ESP

Come visit the Eldorado Star Party 2024 for our 22nd Year !  Just for amateur astronomers who want dark skies and a protected environment on the 5,300 acre X-Bar Ranch near Eldorado, Texas.

Long established as a week-long event, come out Monday to get maximum exposure to dark skies. This year meal service will begin with dinner on Monday evening, and lunch and dinner served Tuesday through Saturday.

View our ESP Orientation video.

Supported by the Austin Astronomical Society and Hill Country Astronomers (Fredericksburg), and volunteers from area clubs including Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, this event promises to bring dark skies closer to the amateur astronomer. The central location (46 miles west of Fort McKavett) is within easy driving distance of many Texas cities and enjoys the dry climate of west Texas.

The site is 8 miles north of Interstate-10, and has a convenient all-weather road and parking area at the observing fields. Camping and RVs available on-site. Hot-water showers and toilet facilities are conveniently located near the camping areas.

Motel rooms are available in nearby Sonora and Ozona. X-Bar also has a few cabins located a short walk away. Lunch and dinner will be catered at X-Bar’s nearby Live Oak Lodge.

We hope you’ll join us for the upcoming
Eldorado Star Party!
Your ESP volunteers,
Anne Adkins
Dave Clark
Bill Flanagan
Raeann Reid
Don Selle
Will Young

… and the Meador Family at X-Bar Ranch