Our historic facility with impressive optical and radio telescopes draw both curious travelers and esteemed scientists from around the world. With the Pisgah National Forest in our backyard, PARI is the perfect addition for those visiting the area to enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, river rafting and exploring our many surrounding waterfalls. PARI’s ridge-top views provide a unique vantage point to experience seasonal bursts of color and lush foliage. PARI is an internationally certified DARK SKY PARK, one of only two in North Carolina, providing nights filled with brilliant stars, flashes of meteors, and the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon.