Here’s how to find us:
Directions to the Little Thompson Observatory
The LTO is on the east grounds of Berthoud High School – near the running track.
Berthoud is located between Longmont and Loveland on Highway 287.
- From Denver:
- Take I-25 north to the Berthoud exit (exit number 250, for Highway 56), and go west into Berthoud. At the roundabout, continue west onto Mountain Ave (old Highway 287) where it is running east-west. Watch for 8th Street — there is a traffic light and Guarantee Bank and A&W at the intersection of Mountain Ave and 8th. Turn south onto 8th St. Follow 8th St. to the south; it meanders a bit. 8th Street ends in a T-intersection at Spartan Drive. Turn right (west) on Spartan Drive, and watch for Berthoud High School on your right. You’ll see the observatory to the north-east of the school, beyond the parking lot. Look for a blue building with 2 big white domes.
- From Longmont:
- Take Highway 287 (Main St. in Longmont) north to Berthoud, turn right towards Berthoud at the CO-56 interchange traffic lights West of Berthoud, follow CO-56 to the next lights and turn South (right) onto CR-17. Turn left on the 3rd street on your left, which is Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school. The Observatory is visible from the parking lot.
- From Loveland via Taft:
- Take Taft south to Berthoud, and go straight across old 287 at the traffic lights West of Berthoud and turn left on Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school.
- From Loveland or Ft. Collins via 287:
- Take Highway 287 south to Berthoud. Turn left (East) onto CO-56 at the traffic lights. Follow CO-56 East to the next lights and turn South (right) onto CR-17. Turn left on the 3rd street on your left, which is Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school. The Observatory is visible from the parking lot.
- From Ft. Collins:
- Take I-25 south to the Berthoud exit (exit number 250, for Highway 56), and go west into Berthoud. At the roundabout, continue west onto Mountain Ave. Watch for 8th Street– there is a traffic light and Guarantee Bank and A&W at the intersection of Mountain Ave and 8th. Turn south onto 8th St. Follow 8th St. to the south, and it meanders a bit. 8th will end in a T-intersection at Spartan Drive. Turn right (west) on Spartan Drive, and watch for Berthoud High School on your right. You’ll see the observatory to the north-east of the school. It’s hard to miss: a blue building with two big white domes.
Parking is very limited near the observatory building. Please park in the large, lighted high school parking lot.
However, guests with disabilities or who have trouble walking on a gravel path can drive through the gate and follow the gravel road to the observatory building.
Note that while the main LTO building is wheelchair accessible, the telescope dome is not. In addition, the stairway into the observatory dome is steep, curved, narrow, and at times dimly lit. Although there is a convenient handrail, those with significant physical limitations may want to contact LTO before their visit to determine if access to the telescope can be accommodated.
The Little Thompson Observatory is in Berthoud,CO.
Berhoud’s location is: Latitude: +40.31 N, Longitude: -105.08 W.
