Dark Texas Skies
A Cosmic Adventure
Exploring The Milky Way Galaxy & Beyond
Portal to the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve
at the Marathon Motel & RV Park
Your Portal to the Stars
Pictures are short time exposures of the Carina-Sagittarius star bands
above Dark Texas Skies, Marathon, TX during astronomical summer.
Dark Texas Skies introduce cosmic adventurers to the stars with two large observatory grade reflector telescopes. An Oberwerk BT-100XL-ED binocular is also used to view larger celestial objects. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a newcomer, you will enjoy using our equipment.
Dark Texas Skies is located at the Marathon Motel & RV Park in Marathon, TX. This establishment has been featured on Texas Country Reporter and in magazine & newspaper articles because of its many amenities and its stunning nighttime canopy of stars.
The adult capacity for Dark Texas Skies’ star parties is 16. We strive for everyone to have an exceptional cosmic adventure in a darkened and serene atmosphere. A smaller group also allows all attendees to have ample time at the telescope and binocular and to have their questions thoughtfully answered.
Be sure to check our Moon Phase Calendar for the best nights. Reservations are not permitted on dates when the Moon is too bright and washes out our beautiful celestial nighttime sky.
Below is a map where Dark Texas Skies meet nightly. We gather outdoors at the Visual Observatory, about 150 feet behind Room 8 of the Marathon Motel & RV Park. Admission is $10.00 for adults and children are free younger than 18 years old. Reservations are recommended.
How Dark
Is Dark?
Dark Texas Skies boasts a very dark nighttime sky. We are located in one of the darkest areas in the lower 48 contiguous United States!
track & see the ISS
Guests are notified when the International Space Station flyover occurs. The ISS usually appears very bright as it glides across the night’s sky at 17,500 mph as it orbits about every 90 minutes at an average altitude of 227 nautical miles above the Earth.
The real-time NASA tracker shows where the International Space Station is right now and its path 90 minutes ago (-1.5 h) and 90 minutes ahead (+1.5 h). The dark overlay indicates where it is nighttime in the world.
Map Source: www.esa.int (updated every 5 seconds)
The widget below indicates the next flyover of Marathon, TX. Be sure to click on “More Sightings” to see night flyovers during the next 24 hours or so.
Advantages
Exceptional quality of protected night skies ranks as Bortle Class #1
Naked-eye limiting magnitude range is 7.8-8.0. It's dark here!
12/20/24 inch telescopes are used with 2 inch high quality eyepieces.
Personal attention and informative answers to your questions.
Testimonials
This was my third star party with Bill Ramey, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Bill has expanded his event with a tour of MaRIO (Marathon Remote Imaging Observatories), which professional astronomers use to make amazing photographs of celestial objects. His knowledge of the night sky is unsurpassed by anyone that I have ever met, and his enthusiasm for his profession is contagious. Earlier that week, I attended the star party at McDonald Observatory, which was also good. However, I greatly prefer Bill's star party, because it is interactive and tailored to your interests. And the telescope views are just as good without the long lines.
Roger Holland
DTS Review Form (5 Star Rating)
The place is amazing. The sky is magical and Bill Ramey absolutely made my stay to be even better. Actually, I was supposed to stay one night but after meeting him, I ended up staying 4 days and still felt it wasn't enough. He is an astrophotographer and amazing person!
Julia Mello
DTS Review Form (5 Star Rating)
Latest Review
This is an experience my family will never forget. My 9-year-old son is on the spectrum and is obsessed with the planet Jupiter and its moons. Most people cannot carry a conversation about this subject that he loves to bring up, and I mostly can’t answer the questions he has.
Bill not only brought Jupiter & the stars to our eyes, he gladly stopped what he was doing every time to answer my son’s questions. My son was in awe. I know my son walked away even more inspired knowing there is a lot of love out there for the stars and planets. He even saw a satellite pass Jupiter! He walked away saying Bill was the coolest person he ever met.
I wish we didn’t live so far away from this area, but I know he will remember the experience for the rest of his life. I can’t thank you enough!!!! Bill is one in a million person. This was such a blessing for our family, and we are filled with gratitude.
Bill not only brought Jupiter & the stars to our eyes, he gladly stopped what he was doing every time to answer my son’s questions. My son was in awe. I know my son walked away even more inspired knowing there is a lot of love out there for the stars and planets. He even saw a satellite pass Jupiter! He walked away saying Bill was the coolest person he ever met.
I wish we didn’t live so far away from this area, but I know he will remember the experience for the rest of his life. I can’t thank you enough!!!! Bill is one in a million person. This was such a blessing for our family, and we are filled with gratitude.
Johanna Rodriguez
DTS Review Form (5 Stars)
Read below the other ninety plus reviews
from those who also enjoyed their cosmic adventure!
DTS Review Form
This is an experience my family will never forget. My 9-year-old son is on the spectrum and is obsessed with the planet Jupiter and its moons. Most people cannot carry a conversation about this subject that he loves to bring up and I mostly can’t answer the questions he has.
Bill not only brought Jupiter & the stars to our eyes, he gladly stopped what he was doing every time to answer my son’s questions. My son was in awe. I know my son walked away even more inspired knowing there is a lot of love out there for the stars and planets. He even saw a satellite pass Jupiter! He walked away saying Bill was the coolest person he ever met.
I wish we didn’t live so far away from this area, but I know he will remember the experience for the rest of his life. I can’t thank you enough!!!! Bill is one in a million person. This was such a blessing for our family, and we are filled with gratitude.
Bill not only brought Jupiter & the stars to our eyes, he gladly stopped what he was doing every time to answer my son’s questions. My son was in awe. I know my son walked away even more inspired knowing there is a lot of love out there for the stars and planets. He even saw a satellite pass Jupiter! He walked away saying Bill was the coolest person he ever met.
I wish we didn’t live so far away from this area, but I know he will remember the experience for the rest of his life. I can’t thank you enough!!!! Bill is one in a million person. This was such a blessing for our family, and we are filled with gratitude.
DTS Review Form
My husband and I absolutely loved the Star party! Bill was so knowledgeable and it was evident he loves teaching people about the planets and stars. He is enthusiastic and provides an incredible two hour presentation! If we pass through this way again we will definitely attend another star party!!!!
DTS Review Form
Bill Ramey knows his sky and is smooth in delivery of knowledge. Further, Bill’s hands on approach to viewing the sky through available equipment does not disappoint. Thank you Bill it was excellent.
DTS Review Form
If you find yourself going through Marathon, TX do yourself a favor and make reservations with Dark Skies Texas! Bill brings out a big telescope, big binocular, and smaller binocular and proceeds to share a wealth of information as he shows you the best views of the night sky! He showed us stars, constellations, planets and nebula through the telescope and it was nothing short of amazing. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity while in Marathon.
DTS Review Form
What a wonderful experience! If you get a chance to stop at the Marathon Motel & RV Park please check out the Dark Skies Texas presentation there. Bill Ramey was very insightful and just bursting with information about the beautiful night sky. The binocular and telescope viewing is awesome.
DTS Form Review
Excellent star gazing party. Bill was very knowledgeable, very friendly and got us excited about the stars and planets. He was willing to answer every question and is such a way that we totally understood.
TripAdvisor Review
We had been visiting Big Bend NP and were wrapping up our trip with a stay at The Gage. Heard about the Sky Party online and since we live in a very populated area of Florida and sadly hardly notice the sky, thought this would be a cool new experience. Well, our expectations were definitely exceeded. Bill is so full of knowledge and viewing the sky with his direction was one of most meaningful experiences we’ve had. Unfortunately, we did not plan our day very well and had to skip out early as we’d only planned one night in Marathon. So if you’re in Marathon and you have never taken a moment to notice the sky, definitely attend a star party, but be sure to stay for several hours so Bill can show you that amazing sky. You won’t be disappointed. Seeing Saturn and its moons was really exciting, but then it got even better. Thank you, Bill!
Tripadvisor
If you find yourself going through Marathon, TX do yourself a favor and make reservations with Dark Skies Texas! Bill brings out a big telescope, big binocular, and smaller binocular and proceeds to share a wealth of information as he shows you the best views of the night sky! He showed us stars, constellations, planets and nebula through the telescope and it was nothing short of amazing. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity while in Marathon.
Tripadvisor
Our family did this in January and it was a wonderful experience. The guide is deeply knowledge and tremendously enthusiastic. The whole thing is very hands on and educational. Our small kids loved it too. And what we saw was extraordinary. A very special and memorable experience that I very much recommend.
DTS Review Form
So glad we found out about this while we were visiting Big Bend, it definitely was one of my favorite parts of the trip. I could listen to Bill talk about the sky for hours and never get tired of it, he’s so enthusiastic about it. I enjoyed that the parties are kept to a limited amount of people so there aren’t long lines to wait in while taking a peek into the telescope and binoculars. It truly was a beautiful night and I highly recommend the experience to everyone!
DTS Review Form
My wife, son, and I went to Dark Texas Skies Star Party and we had a great time! Bill was knowledgeable about all the constellations, their positions, and movements across the night sky. We even learned some new things along the way. What is seen by the naked eye in the night sky was amazing on it's own, but Bill takes you deeper, and 'closer' so as to speak with his Newtonian Reflector telescope. We saw Venus, Saturn (so cool), globulus star clusters (my personal favorite was the M-13 globular star cluster), and another galaxy, Andromeda. We attended a second night and also saw the planet Jupiter...for a little bit as it rises quite late.
We really enjoyed our time under the stars with Bill as our guide. I highly recommend!
DTS Review Form
We had a very informative and awesome time looking at stars we could never see with our old naked eyes. We ended up being only two people there and we had a lot of telescope time. It was great and would fully recommend Dark Texas Skies! Thanks Bill!
DTS Review Form
Dark Texas Skies Star Party led by Bill Ramey is a Bucket-List item. If you have not yet attended, get over there before you croak. Bill was phenomenal. His expertise and knowledge were never in question, and he happily shared his wisdom with all who were interested. I learned a lot from Bill over the four hours under the stars, and I am definitely going back. It was a 6 hour drive from Austin, and well worth it. Bill is the Willy Wonka of the Dark Skies. His amps are turned up to 11. I rate this 11 out of 10 stars!
DTS Review Form
Bill is excellent at explaining the stars and other bodies in the sky. Telescopes are user friendly and Bill gladly allows people to use them. We had clear skies and we saw many stars including the Comet C/2023 A3 with its tail that I usually cannot see in the city due to lights. Marathon is a dark sky area. There are less people at this star viewing compared to observatories so you get one-to-one teaching from Bill. Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
DTS Review Form
Amazing dark sky adventure. Bill provided great info to educate both the kids and adults, he answered all our questions and was patient with each of us. His love of his work truly shines! We will be back again.
DTS Review Form
Bill and this program is beyond amazing. This has been a treasure for my two kids each time we have had the opportunity to go. I can't say enough about the high quality, low stress, immensely thrilling stars, planets, moons and the galaxy are to view and discuss at the Dark Texas Skies. Truly a treasure to be remembered for a lifetime. Thank you Bill!
DTS Review Form
We absolutely loved our star party with Bill! He is so knowledgeable, and we learned so much! It was great to have a small group, so we all had ample time to view all of the targets. The location was perfect too - very dark with almost no stray lights.
DTS Review Form
My wife and I stayed at the Marathon Motel and RV Park and we had the privilege of meeting Bill and really enjoying the Star Party there at the motel. My wife went once and I was able to go twice, and both times for me it was really a joy to spend time with Bill and soak in the knowledge of his vast star experience. Bill was very patient with me and others there that had questions, sometimes multiple questions that were really duplicate questions he answered previously. It is obvious that Bill really enjoys sharing his knowledge of space with any and all visitors of every age. When I was there one night, it was the 9th birthday for a young lady and Bill paid special attention to her to make sure that she was understanding some of the many areas he discussed. I was fortunate to be there on both occasions with limited numbers, one night there were only 3 of us, and the other night there were about 10, so not quite a full house.
Bill makes sure and questions each of us before we move on to another area of the sky, that we got to look through the telescope and saw what he was showing us.
My wife and I highly recommend the motel as a place to stay in the area, and definitely urge you to spend an evening with Bill if you have a desire to learn more about out solar system. Feel free to ask questions, and you will be rewarded with a better understanding.
DTS Review Form
My wife and I attended the Dark Texas Skies Star party in late September. It was truly fascinating. Bill Ramey was superb in leading our cosmic adventure. He is so knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. He had a high-powered binocular and telescope set up for all to use. We were able to view Venus, the North Star and Saturn with the telescope. With the binocular, we were able to see outstanding star clusters. My wife and I were most entranced by the star-forming nebula. Further, even without using the equipment, what you can see with the naked eye in these dark skies is captivating. Put this Dark Texas Skies Star party on your bucket list.
DTS Review Form
After coming to a Dark Star Party in August with friends, we made reservations to bring our two grandkids in September. They couldn’t stop talking about how cool it was and about stars, telescopes and of course Saturn. Our granddaughter said “you can see the rings and the moons.” Our grandson said, “I can’t wait to come back.” Bill is so enthusiastic it is catching and he made it easy to look for the stars. He gave them easy tips on how to find stars with the telescope and binocular. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and making two new junior astronomers—- the night sky will now always delight them.
DTS Review Form
Fantastic evening with Bill, who is not only a wealth of knowledge, but fun, funny and very personable. The evening was the last night of a 6 day vacation to celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary, and it was the perfect ending to our trip. Can’t recommend it enough.
DTS Review Form
This experience exceeded our expectations. The Dark Skies was magnificent, but no more so than the Masters Class on astronomy.
Bill was a superb teacher and guide throughout the evening taking time to answer any and all questions.
We have already recommended this event to our friends and look forward to coming back.
Google Review
We had an amazing time at the dark skies presentation! Bill was extremely educated on the solar system, and had such in-depth insight. It was just amazing. I wish we could’ve spent an entire week sitting outside under the stars, listening to his knowledge and seeing the massive creation above us. I highly suggest booking a night to view the stars with Bill, especially on a new moon night, and staying at the nice campground there as well.
Google Review
Wonderful , well organized, hands on astronomical experience! Something for all levels of knowledge and expertise.
Yelp Review Form
William is an experienced astronomer, and he have so much to offer if you are interested in star gazing. We were staying in Alpine, and discovered Dark Texas Skies through the visitor center in Alpine. We drove over one night and discovered the viewing area behind the motel in Marathon. We were delighted to join a small group around the telescope and observed various stars, planets and constellations. This space ranks as Bortle Class #1 Night Sky (which means there is very little light outside of the starlight). Even with the naked eye we could see a panorama of stars across the skies. Rather than visit the McDonald Observatory, which does have many virtues, we were rewarded at Dark Skies with extraordinary hospitality, teaching and unlimited telescope time. If you are staying anywhere nearby, this place is a don't miss!
Google Review
Had a great time at the star party! Bill did a fantastic job of educating us about his collection of telescopes and their use. While there, my son and I were able to view stars, star clusters, planets, and more through his observatory-grade equipment. We came to Big Bend National Park to look at the stars with no light pollution and the Dark Texas Skies experience enhanced our visit. This is a must-do attraction if you're ever in Marathon Texas or in the area.
TripAdvisor
It is rare that you meet someone as passionate as Bill is about the cosmos, and trust me, it rubs off. My friend and I delayed our trip by a day to attend this and it was 100% worth it - thank you for such a breathtaking experience Bill!
DTS Review Form
Before sunset, Bill came out to set up the equipment and explained the process. As dusk approached, we had a beginners course in Astronomy with all our questions answered (this continued through out the evening). While Bill continued to talk, the sky darken and the first star appeared and then another; it became a beautiful blanket of stars which are all part of our galaxy, the Milky Way. I was in awe. I thought of Psalm 91:1 (The Bible): "The heavens declare the glory of God." With the help of Bill adjusting the telescope/ binocular and the step up, I was able to view the Scorpius' major star (Antares) and going deeper a nebula and star clusters. I can also now find the North Star. With the education I received, I am going back home in hopes I can see a few constellations (in spite of light pollution) from my back yard. Bill made certain that I had am experience I will never forget.
Google Review
We went to Big Bend to camp and see stars and were sorely disappointed in Big Bend. So when we left the National Park we decided to stop and spend the night here. Bill, our dark sky party “guide” was spectacular!!! His passion for the stars shines brightly!!! The best program I’ve ever done even though environmental conditions were not the best, I saw a galaxy and some stars and learned so much!!!! We stayed in the campground and did laundry while we were there. The facilities were nice and clean and showers were plentiful. Thank you for a fantastic experience!!!
TripAdvisor
Title: Enjoy the night sky even more with a visit to Dark Texas Skies Marathon
Would highly recommend a visit to enjoy the Dark Texas Skies above the tiny speck of the Milky Way called Marathon. The ten dollar fee for the evening is an exceptional value. Bill, a down-to-earth, engaging sage of the Cosmos is passionate about sharing his vast knowledge of the universe. Plenty of hands on experience with his telescope for the small gathered group. Meteor, the cat, supervises surreptitiously.
DTS Review Form
We had an amazing time with Dark Texas Skies. Bill was amazing. His knowledge of the stars and planets was excellent. He had great explanations. His telescope and binocular were perfect for us to see so many things. The group size was perfect so we never had to stand in line to see things. And Bill would have stayed all night with us if we wanted. I would highly recommend this to add to your Bucket List.
DTS Review Form
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening with Bill! He is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about everything "star related." Don't miss out on a Star Party at the Marathon Motel and RV Park with Bill! Highly recommended!
DTS Review Form
My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the Star Party. We learned a lot and Bill and Alan were most accommodating and helpful using their equipment. I would highly recommend this as an evening's entertainment to anyone who can appreciate the night sky.
DTS Review Form
The Dark Skies presentation was great. Bill and his assistant Allen did a great job! Very good information and made it very enjoyable. Very patient to let everyone view through the telescope and binocular. It was a clear night and we were able to see so much. If you are ever passing through Marathon TX make sure to make a reservation and take advantage of this great presentation.
DTS Review Form
We went to the Marathon Motel for the Star Party, and it was incredible! The experience was even better than visiting some of the large observatories. Bill is incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share what he knows. I learned so much about the stars! We got to look through different telescopes and even a 100mm binocular. It was very hands-on, and we were constantly moving between telescopes and listening to fascinating information. It was fantastic! If you're ever in Marathon, you absolutely have to check this out!
DTS Review Form
What an amazing night of stars and planets! We were blessed with clear skies, unfortunately the wind was blowing and it was cold. Bill and his counterpart were very knowledgeable and you could tell how much they enjoyed sharing there life’s passion. The night sky popped with billions of lights in the sky. Learning about the celestial bodies up there was fascinating. Jupiter and 4 of its moons were visible and they showed us the Orion Nebula, WOW!!!! THANK Y’ALL FOR A WONDERFUL NIGHT WITH THE DARK SKIES!
Google Review
Canceled due to cloudy skies. However upon our arrival Bill was already waiting for us. Along with refunding our money Bill showed us the entire property. They are truly blessed to have such a knowledgeable individual heading this up for them. Bill and I had a wonderful conversation for about the space of an hour in which he expounded his knowledge of astronomy to me. Thanks Bill we will be back!
DTS Review
We really enjoyed our Dark Skies Texas visit. Loved that it was a small group so we could look through the telescope to our hearts’ content. Bill made it interesting and fun to learn. And at the end, we could just walk back to our camper. Perfect evening.
DTS Review
We really enjoyed the knowledge we received during this sky viewing event. I was really impressed how Bill could explain things at the level that each person is. I really know very little about the constellations and different things in the sky but he took the time to make sure that you knew what you was looking at. I would highly recommend taking the time to book an evening to learn about the dark skies. It was so worth it. We will do it again!
Google Review
I got lucky and found this cute place to camp at when I went to Big Bend Nat. Park. It’s well maintained and has WI-FI. The laundry facilities were inexpensive and had a big screen TV to make the time pass quickly.
The biggest thrill for me was the Dark Skies program. For $10 You get to learn about constellations, and look through a giant Newtonian reflector telescope while Bill Ramey explains and shows you the Class 1 dark sky experience. I’ve never seen the stars shine so bright nor have I ever seen so many!. Bill will stay and let you look through the telescope as long as you like, while educating you.
Trip Advisor
Bill provides an excellent program! Before it hit dark he showed us how the telescope works and the set up. We got to see the moon before it got dark and it was too bright. Bill has such a passion for astronomy and takes time to explain and answer questions. We saw Jupiter and its four major moons as well as Saturn. If we lived closer we would definitely go again. Such a reasonable fee for a great experience!
DTS Review
We had an amazing experience at the Dark Skies Star Party on January 14th! Bill Ramey is a WEALTH of knowledge and made the night fun and fabulous for everyone there! My head felt like it would explode from all of the interesting facts he shared throughout the 2-hour session. He made sure everyone got to see every item he lined up in the telescope. He answered questions thoroughly. Our favorite part was watching his enthusiasm over an 11-year-old participant who was clearly interested in studying astronomy. He engaged her, got her excited, answered her great questions and made sure she had the time of her life. We highly recommend the Star Party at Marathon Motel. Thanks Bill!
DTS Review
Bill did a great job in explaining everything we were going to see. The telescope and binoculars worked very well and seeing Jupiter and Saturn plus many other objects in the night sky was excellent.
Google Review
We attended a star party one night at Dark Texas Skies. It was fabulously educational and Bill the onsite astronomer/program manager is a good speaker, friendly and has just enough sense of humor to lighten the tech.
DTS Review
The star party offered at Marathon Motel is a great one for visitors to the dark skies of the Big Bend area. The informal, hands-on approach and limited group size make it ideal for visitors of all ages. First-class equipment and a skilled presenter make it a delightful evening that does not run into the wee hours. Highly recommend that you schedule a night at this local treasure while you're in the area.
DTS Review
We spent the evening with William Ramey, astronomer and photographer. What an enthusiastic teacher of astronomy. He taught us many things about our night skies. What a great experience we had. He had two large observatory grade reflector telescopes. We also used the Oberwerk BT-100XL-binocular to view larger celestial objects. He taught us how to use the telescopes and binoculars. We would pinpoint star clusters, planets, the moon and much more. We learned about the rotation of the earth, moon, planets and stars. He talked about constellations and the Milky Way. We learned how to measure time in hours and months from the position of the stars. Fun!!!!
DTS Review
Marathon was our second stop of our trip after seeing it on Texas Country Reporter. We timed it perfect with a new moon day, which was the day after we watched the Dark Texas Skies. Bill’s knowledge of the constellations and our own earth‘s solar system is outstanding. Being able to see Saturn’s rings, Jupiter, Polaris, nebulas, and many other lights in the skies was overwhelming. We appreciate you Bill and Danny for this experience. To top off the trip we got to see the Solar Eclipse and meet some new friends. Great people and great night, we will be back.
DTS Review
Spectacular views and Bill's knowledge and willingness to share it is way beyond expectations. It was a fantastic learning experience, but if I don't retain a single piece of knowledge, at least I have seen Saturn and its rings clearly through a telescope. That alone was worth the price of admission.
DTS Review Form
Absolutely the best experience on our first trip to West Texas. William was full of knowledge, facts and love of the Space Sciences. We will definitely return for another Space Science experience. William also was open to questions and thoughts. Well done Bill!
Trip Advisor Review
This may have been the highlight of our trip to Big Bend National Park. We are so grateful to have experienced what turned out to be a spectacular display of stars. Looking through the telescope and binoculars on a peaceful night, we enjoyed the friendly and enthusiastic information provided by Bill. It was a thrill and considering the price, an unbeatable experience. Anyone who visits the Big Bend area needs to put this on their agenda!
DTS Review
I've had the pleasure of attending several Star Parties with Bill Ramey, and I'm looking forward to the next one - 10/14/2023. Perfect timing for friends to be here from out of state, since it's a New Moon with no moonlight dimming our viewing of the sky. Bill is enthusiastic and easy to understand as he imparts his immense knowledge, points out countless things to see, and answers questions. If you're looking for a unique experience contemplating our Class 1 Dark Skies of Marathon Texas, without breaking the bank, make a reservation and come to our lovely little town. You'll be glad you did!
DTS Review Form
We had a great time at the Star Party! So Glad I noticed on the internet! Bill is so excited about all aspects of astronomy - his excitement was contagious!! I saw my first shooting star / meteor/ falling star—woohoo!! Been waiting my whole life to see one!!
DTS Review
This is one of my favorite things to do in West Texas. The stars will blow your mind away you look through their awesome giant telescopes. We love taking family and friends out there. I’ve stayed at the Gage hotel and walked over to the sky park many times. We also enjoyed renting the VRBO “Snakebite Saloon” with family one night for a different sort of experience. We’ve enjoyed the RV park’s primitive campsites where we’ve stayed with church groups. It’s a nice clean park and we felt safe there. This should be on everybody’s top 5 things to do in West Texas. Check the moon phase calendar before you plan your trip to make sure the moon is small so you can see more stars. I typically call the park the day of or before to ask what time viewing starts.
DTS Review
It was a great experience. Bill was very knowledgeable and provided details regarding planets, stars, constellations and how the rotation of earth plays in to movement of stars. Thanks again
DTS Review
We decided to stay In Marathon, a tiny little town in west Texas on Hwy 90 outside of Big Bend National Park at the Marathon Motel and RV Park and Sky Park. They happened to have star parties almost every night by Bill who is an astronomy enthusiast. He was so informative, and his enthusiasm was contagious. If you are in the area, I highly recommend experiencing the beautiful night skies at Dark Texas Skies.
DTS Review
The Dark Texas Skies Star Party was incredible. Bill was tremendous as a host and teacher. My wife and I learned so much in such a little time and it was very interesting to see their setup for astronomers that lived thousands of miles away! I was geeking out the whole time. I could listen to Bill talk forever. 🙂 AND this was our experience on a night where the clouds rolled in so we could only see Jupiter for a minute and that's it. I can only imagine a clear night!! If you are in the area, you MUST make this part of your trip!
DTS Review
Bill did an amazing job last night. He has GREAT passion sharing his experience and knowledge with us. He kept us captivated and interested the whole time. We had unlimited time viewing through the telescopes. I learned so much about the stars, moon, and constellations. Definitely worth the drive and small fee. 👌
DTS Form
Bill Ramey gave an amazing show to me and my family last night. He taught us more about the stars, rotation of the earth and our orbits, and how to predict where objects in the night sky would be months and even years from now better than a semester long class could. The stories he’d tell about the stars and showing them in all their glory rather than just showing us for the shit of it made the experience so much fun!
DTS Review
We only had one night here and what a night it was!! Marathon is a Dark Skies area, so they ask that you keep your curtains drawn and exterior lights off at night. Which seems a little inconvenient until you realize just how much of the night sky you can see with so little light pollution. Bill pulls out the telescope and binoculars! The park houses two large telescopes. The night we stayed, we were able to see the moon, Jupiter, Orion Nebula, a comet, Starlink satellites, the twin stars of Gemini and so much more! Bill shared so much of his knowledge about astronomy and it’s such a cool experience! The park and facilities were clean and quiet. Everyone there was very friendly and we were able to use our Passport America discount! It’s also a short drive to downtown Marathon. We are already planning to stop here again!
Big Bend Texas Facebook
I did both the McDonald Observatory and Marathon Motel & RV Park star parties in the same month last fall. Trust me, the Marathon party was far better - certainly more informal and therefore more fun, but the guys running the telescopes were much more informative about what we were looking at than the grad students at McDonald ("uh, I don't know which of Jupiter's moons those are.") Their enthusiasm for the stars is infectious, they KNOW what they're showing you, and they'll keep showing you more fantastic things as long as you're willing to stay out and look at them (unlike McDonald).
Google Review
Bill is INCREDIBLY informative and enthusiastic about the night sky offerings in the Big Bend Sky. I learned so much in just over two hours. We had tickets for the McDonald Observatory and gave those up for the opportunity to hang out for individual attention and expertise about our night sky. I look forward to the opportunity to come back on a non-moon night so I can SEE MORE! My family and I saw planets, moons, stars, constellations, nebulas, and OTHER GALAXIES! Come to Marathon to see the local mountains on earth AND parts of our universe. Giddy amazing-ness (if you geek out over this stuff like I do) is in your future if you check out this gem of an experience. 🤗
Again, THANK YOU Bill!
Trip Advisor Review
We came to the star party tonight and it was super cool! We chose a night when the moon was really bright, so Bill said that this isn't the best time to view the night sky, but we still enjoyed it immensely! He makes you very comfortable using the equipment, he answers all your questions and educates along the way. His knowledge just blows my mind! I would recommend this to anyone and everyone! Best money I've spent in a very long time!
DTS Review
I had a great experience with the star party! Bill is very knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions regarding Astronomy (or have a casual conversation with). This is a must-see experience for anyone who loves the sky, stars, or space! This was my first time seeing a dark sky, and I wouldn’t want it in any other place!
Trip Advisor Review
A great highlight of Marathon, TX. Very informative for all ages. Spectacular views of the prettiest night skies I have ever seen. Telescopes were great for viewing planets and stars.
Google Review
Truly enjoyed the astronomy lesson and views of the stars, moon, Jupiter and so much more were amazing. Everyone should come & experience it!! Definitely should be a bucket list to do. Everyone is extremely nice and on the route to Big Bend. Blessed to have experienced it!!!
Google Review
Bill, you are amazing! I had a stellar time at the stargazing party last night. I learned so much. If this were what school was like, I’d have loved it so much more. The tent camping was perfect. Beautiful sunset and sunrise. But the star party was the highlight. You are equal parts edifying and entertainment. Thank you for sharing your passion with the rest of us!
Google Review
Everything and everyone here is a amazing! I had the entire tent camping area to myself, complete with a pond with lily pads and frogs quietly croaking through the evening and night. Would be great for a group with its outdoor kitchen area. I took a sunrise stroll and checked out the grounds—beautiful central courtyard with a fireplace and fountain . . . And the stargazing party!!! Bill was incredibly knowledgeable AND entertaining. He could host his own astronomy tv show. I’d watch. And I don’t watch TV. Such a unique and unforgettable experience.
Google Review
We stayed for the star park show. Bill was amazing with our kids. Such an awesome experience we had. We will definitely be going back in the future. He is just amazing
Google Review
Always the best place to stop on the way to Big Bend. The kindest staff, great atmosphere, and a stellar nightly viewing of the beautiful Texas sky with two dedicated astrophotographers! The place has so much personality!
Google Review
Beautiful place. Quaint little town. Star gazing is excellent. The man at the rv park has a set up that is absolutely amazing for looking at the planets and he sets it up for the campers to learn and enjoy.
Serenity Mobile Observatory
A fulltime resident astrophotographer, name of Bill Ramey, rolls out a 20” Obsession and a 13” homemade Dobsonian telescope for park visitors to gaze through almost every clear night. Bill was very accommodating, knowledgeable and friendly, and I highly encourage you to go to one of his talks if you stay at the park. The night I took the short walk over to the big scope he treated us to wonderful views of M13, the great globular cluster in Hercules, M51, a pair of interacting galaxies in Canes Venatici, and a spectacular view of M81 and M82, a galaxy pair in Ursa Major.
Google Review
Beautiful common area with fire place and seating for hanging out. Best thing though is the star shows. Various optical instruments including 20" telescope and people who know how to use them. Highly recommended.
Google Review
This area is a dark skies area and the residents take that seriously in Brewster County. The owners of the RV park/motel are into telescopes and astronomy. There were telescopes and people to explain what you were seeing during all the clear sky night. That was one of my favorite parts of this experience.
Google Review
Friendly staff and beautiful views of the mountains on the horizon. This RV park has a special on-site astronomer and large telescope for star viewing. This isn't amateur hour. We saw Jupiter, Venus and Saturn even had its rings visible. Absolutely amazing experience in the "Dark Sky" park area where the night sky comes to life!
Google Review
We stayed at the Marathon Motel to see the stars. The room was clean and comfortable, no frills but had everything needed. Staff was very nice. Had a concrete pad for the telescope gear and enjoyed the star parties through the big scopes. Can't wait to come back out.
Google Review
We usually stay at hotels with pools but this time everything was booked fortunately for us! It was a different experience for our kids, the cottage was cleaned and cozy, they have a restaurant outdoor with a very inviting atmosphere, distance between tables and great service! At night they showed us the stars and the planets! Our kids were thrilled when they saw Saturn, Jupiter and Mars! They also lit up the fireplace for us to enjoy the night! We highly recommend this motel!
Google Review
This place is incredible. It is an experience beyond what you'd expect from the name. The owner, Danny Self, is wonderful and provides more than a place to stay. Did you know they have a legit, professional observatory? Well, they do!! Spent the night looking at Jupiter and Saturn plus learning about astronomy from their resident astronomer, Bill. Honestly, how many motels actually have their own astronomer?!
Google Review
This is where Wim Wenders shot the famous Paris Texas. A superb setting surrounded by the rugged semi-desert of South West Texas. The park is one of the nicest we've come across on our 3000 mile cycle journey. Loved the camp site, the amenities are great and the camp managers friendly, welcoming and helpful. We were luck enough to be there in mid April on a moonless night, and Stargazing is a must. It's a class 1A night sky and if you are lucky because of the weather, the local astronomer will be out for a talk and telescope viewing. Great stay, highly recommended!
Google Review
We just stayed one night here and were impressed by the cute features of the Marathon Motel and RV Park. The camping spot itself is just an open gravel parking lot with hookups but they have very nice grounds that include a beautiful grassy courtyard, outdoor restaurant, pond, chicken coop, and the best part: a telescope and a really knowledgeable astronomer who is there to point things out!
Google Review
Marathon was beautiful. The sites are pretty level, almost all of them have 30/50 service now. The work they have done to the courtyard, motel, and sitting areas make this a very comfortable place to relax. The staff is extremely friendly, and at night they have star watching sessions through some of the large telescopes they have on-site. Marathon is a designated dark-sky city so the views are not obstructed by the glow of lights.
Google Review
The RV spots are maintained well, and the motel rooms are impeccably clean. Danny, who owns the place, is a blast and he obviously takes great pride in the Park.
Each evening there are "Star Parties" hosted by Bill who is the resident expert on all things Astronomy. There are high powered telescopes onsite that Bill will help you use.
Google Review
Intending on a short overnight stop over on our way to Marfa, we decided to extend our stay by two days. The grounds are lovely with a beautiful courtyard that is perfect for an evening drink and conversation. The RV Park has everything a traveler needs, plus super accommodating and friendly staff. We also, had the neat surprise of being invited over to the Marathon Sky Park for a breathtaking view of the sky through a powerful telescope and a knowledgeable guide, Bill. It was definitely a serendipitous experience.
Google Review
Bill was an amazing star party host. We used the provided 10" and 20" Dobsonian telescopes with premium lenses to view several planets and much more.
DTS Review
Had we not been so tired from our Big Bend hikes, we would've stayed up all night with Bill. His knowledge was amazing, he allowed us to ask all of the questions and he did a great job of answering them in a way we could understand. The sky was magical. We were so glad we made the walk down the road to spend the evening looking at the Dark Texas Skies. If I had a suggestion it would be for the owner of the motel, it sure would be nice if you would turn the lights off of the trees at night or at a minimum, put up down facing lights.
Thank you Bill for a great evening.
DTS Review Form
Stayed at the motel for one night - the rooms were clean and the amenities inside were good (TV, AC etc.) The highlight of my stay was the "Star party" - Bill's enthusiasm was infectious and I learned a lot about stars just in those 2 hours. Would definitely recommend this place!
DTS Review Form
A star party at Dark Texas Skies is a whole new dimension to what a star party should be. We attended a star party at the McDonald Observatory several years ago with several hundred of our closest friends and found their canned presentation very interesting even though much of the evening was wasted standing in line to look through one of their telescopes. By contrast, the DTS presentations are limited to only 16 seats and are more freeform allowing everyone to ask questions as much a conversation as a presentation. Everyone came away with an understanding of the heavens. The weather didn't look promising the evening we attended and refunds of the already reasonable fee were offered. However, many of the attendees chose to stay for an informal tour of the many professional telescopes on the site. Then, almost by magic and after many attendees had drifted away, the sky suddenly cleared and we were overwhelmed by the most beautiful stars I've seen in many years. . . He not only pointed out various constellations, but told stories about many of them. I can't recommend Dark Texas skies highly enough. It is an experience not to be missed in an area where the sky really is dark and the Texas hospitality is abundant.
TripAdvisor Review
So...this was recommended to me by a friend who had gone in January. So, on my way east I stopped with my 24 year old son to check it out. WE WERE AMAZED! Bill, the host of the evening, is very knowledgeable and passionate about the stars. He has a presentation skill set that will engage littles up to 99 year old kids. We learned so much about the night sky and were able to view galaxies through lenses, something I never thought I could do! (I guess I only thought Hubble and others could see them). Anyway, GO, GO, GO!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!
DTS Review Form
Bill made the complexity of what we viewed—and what wonders we viewed!—understandable. Great teacher and dark sky enthusiast!
DTS Review Form
Fantastic program! Bill does a great job educating you and finding amazing celestial objects to view. I highly recommend this for anyone with curiosity to explore!
DTS Review Form
This was such a cool event! Bill was a great host- very knowledgeable, and great at peaking our curiosity so we want to learn more. He was able to answer our questions, and point out some amazing things in these dark skies. Highly recommended!
DTS Review Form
We attended the Dark Sky party, it was so fun! Bill, our guide, was absolutely incredible, entertaining and so knowledgeable about all things space. We will definitely be back!
DTS Review Form
What an incredible experience! Bill is a great guide to the night skies, sharing his knowledge of the equipment, the history, the science, and the wonder. Our daughters had a blast looking at the night skies and using the telescope. Our toddler even got stickers. The other visitors were also friendly. There was no rush. All of our questions were answered. It was truly the highlight of our trip. We will definitely go again in the future.
DTS Review Form
My grandson and I were traveling across western Texas and this was one of our best stops! Bill was extremely knowledgeable about, and obviously enthusiastically in love with the stars yet he was able to explain everything in terms that we all could understand. Group size is limited which means that everyone has chance to view the heavenly bodies Bill was showing us. He did a great job of making sure the equipment was adjusted so that each and every person was able to see what we were looking at. [Because of the Earth's rotational velocity,] the stars appear to move, and fast! Bill was very attentive and patient with our many questions. My 10-year-old grandson was enthralled, got to see Jupiter, its colorful, gaseous bands and some of its moons! Venus has phases…who knew?! We do, now to our magical evening with the stars. Many thanks to Bill for a magical, educational, and altogether enchanting evening.
THE Place to be After Dark
The Marathon Motel & RV Park is a safe place to be after dark. The facilities accommodate those who desire motel lodging, arrive in a RV or prefer to bring their own tent. And you are only a few steps away from Dark Texas Skies to discover a world of nocturnal and starry wonder!
