Alachua Astronomy Club: Gold Head Branch State Park

	Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc.	Member Astronomical League	Member International Dark-Sky Association
	Gold Head Branch State Park	Member Astronomical League	Member International Dark-Sky Association
	29°39' N, 82°21' W Altitude: 50 Meters (more or less)		Updated July 10, 2006
(Click logo for home page)	Founded: September 1987

Locator Maps

Entrance to Gold Head Branch State Park
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is about a one-hour drive from Gainesville to the northeast. Our observing area will be the Boat Ramp at Big Lake Johnson.

Cabin 114 (aka Sweetgum) is located about 100 feet from the observing site. This cabin has been reserved as a refuge from the mosquitos (or the cold -- whichever may be the case) and for the restroom -- until 2am or later. Family members not engaged at the star party can socialize here under low-light conditions -- bring a deck of cards or your favorite board game.

ACTIVITIES

Gold Head offers swimming, canoeing, hiking, birding and fishing. Consider staying the entire weekend -- or, at least, come out early and mingle with other astronomers. More information about the park can be found at http://www.floridastateparks.org/goldhead/default.cfm.

Tentative: We are extending an invitation to the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society (i.e. Jacksonville) to join us. Depending on their interest, we may have a registration, meet-and-greet and/or picnic mixer on Saturday. These activities will run from about 4pm - 6pm. More details later.

FEES AND CAMPING

There is no fee for this event. However, there is a park entrance fee:
   $4.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle) *
   $3.00 for single car occupant *

* Your entry fee is included with your site reservation

There are a variety of camp sites to choose from. I recommend choosing one of the remaining cabins (may require 2 night minimum;
call to find out), or one of the RV and tent sites at the LAKEVIEW camp area. There is a footpath between the Lakeview area and the Boat
Ramp. Please check ReserveAmerica.com for amenities and restrictions.

To make a reservation online: http://www.reserveamerica.com/jsp/commonpage.jsp?goto=/usa/fl/gold/newindex.html

To make a reservation by phone, call Reserve America: 1-800-326-3521

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Use of the park between sunset and sunrise is restricted to those staying at a camp site. Technically, anyone without an overnight reservation should not be attending this star party.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Anyone planning to arrive at the park after 5pm should contact park management by phone ON THE DAY OF ARRIVAL to receive entry instructions (probably a gate code). The Star Party Chair will not escort late arrivals and early departures to and from the gate. Anyone not staying from dusk to dawn must make their own arrangements with the park and/or other attendees.

PARKING

For the most part, plan on parking your vehicle at your own site, or at the Picnic Area (about 1/4 mile from the Boat Ramp).

While we cannot prohibit you from parking your vehicle at the Boat Ramp, space is very limited. I recommend that those bringing telescopes arrive well before sunset, drop off their equipment at the ramp, and then park at their own site. From 6pm on, there will be plenty of bodies to keep an eye on your stuff while you move your vehicle.

No electricity is available at the Boat Ramp. Those who normally operate a telescope from their car's battery should consider other means.

Regardless of where you park, your vehicle must be removed entirely from the pavement if not in a designated space.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please keep in mind that this is a state park and therefore, we cannot restrict the actions and movements of the general public. We will do what we can within park rules to dissuade the use of bright lights at the Boat Ramp but please understand that star party etiquette may be unwittingly breached by the public or extra-terrestrials.

BYOF: Bring your own firewood.

Maps and more detailed information will be posted in FirstLight and at floridastars.org in the weeks ahead.

Gold Head Branch State Park
6239 S.R. 21
Keystone Heights, 32656

Phone (352) 473-4701

Lat.    29.82°N
Long. 81.94°W

Map #1

Map #2

Directions From Gainesville

Take SR 26 east from Gainesville to Melrose

Turn left (to head north) on SR 21

Take SR 21 north to Keystone Heights

Continue on SR 21 past the intersection of SR 100 for approx. 6 miles. The entrance to Gold Head Branch State Park is on the right.

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