• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • ☕ Support
  • ✉ Contact
    • Contact Me
    • Request Product Review
    • Work With Me
    • Submit Guest Post
  • Blog Archives
Nutty Hiker Adventures Logo

Nutty Hiker Adventures

Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last

Zero Breeze Banner
  • Hiking >>
    • Hiking Articles
    • Hiking 101 >
      • 10 Essentials of Hiking
      • Types of Hikes
      • Trail Etiquette
      • Hiking Terms & Jargon
      • Hiking First Aid Kit
      • What to Bring On Every Hike
      • Pre Thru-Hike Checklist
      • Hacks to Lighten Your Backpack Weight
      • How to Avoid Norovirus While Backpacking
      • Choosing a Sleeping Bag Liner
      • How to Poop in the Woods
      • Gift Guide for Hikers
      • Books for Hikers & Backpackers
      • Movies About Hiking
      • Subscription Boxes for Hikers
      • Thru-Hiking Trails Bucket List – USA Edition
      • Your Hiking Questions Answered
    • Long Trails >
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Lone Star Hiking Trail
    • Rails To Trails >
      • Greenbrier River Trail
    • Gear Reviews
    • Ask Nutty Hiker
  • Camping + RVing >>
    • Camping Articles
    • RVing Articles
    • Camping & RV Gear Reviews
  • Survival >>
    • Survival Articles
    • Survival Gear Reviews
  • Destinations >>
    • The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist || Adventure Safely
    • State Highpoints
    • National Parks & Forests >
      • Black Hills National Forest
      • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Idaho
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Maryland
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • North Dakota
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Dakota
      • Black Hills National Forest
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
      • North Texas
      • Central Texas
        • San Antonio
      • East Texas
      • South Texas
      • West Texas
      • Texas State Parks
      • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Utah
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
  • Road Trips >>
    • The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist || Adventure Safely
    • Road Trip Ideas
  • News >>
    • Outdoor News
    • Interviews
  • Video’s
  • Photography >>
    • Latest Work
    • Photography Gear Reviews
    • Portrait Portfolio
  • ✎ Logbook >>
    • My Daily Antics
    • Ask Nutty Hiker
  • Blogger / Vlogger Directory >>
    • >> Add Your Info <<
    • Appalachian Trail Directory
    • Continental Divide Trail Directory
    • Pacific Crest Trail Directory
  • Resources >>
    • Recommendations
    • The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist || Adventure Safely
    • Hiking Essentials Checklist
    • Morse Code Converter || Send a Message in Morse Code
    • Military Time Converter
    • Message Encryption & Decryption
    • Message Transformer
  • Shop
You are here: Home / Destinations / West Virginia / Green Bank Observatory – Where Cell Phones, WiFi, and Gas Powered Vehicles aren’t allowed.

Green Bank Observatory – Where Cell Phones, WiFi, and Gas Powered Vehicles aren’t allowed.

Posted May 17, 2023 / Last Updated May 16, 2023 Tags: Odd & Wacky

Could you imagine living or working in an area without WiFi, where gas and electric vehicles are not allowed, and cell phones, digital cameras, fitness watches, and computers have to be kept off? Also, forget trying to use the microwave and other electronics, it’s strictly prohibited.

Welcome to the Green Bank Observatory. Located in Green Bank, WV, the quietest town in America.

Located in the National Radio Quiet Zone in Green Bank, West Virginia, the Green Bank Observatory hosts the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.

Touring Green Bank Observatory

I had first heard of the Green Bank Observatory in a documentary about those who claim to have Electro Hypersensitivity were moving to that area due to the fact that WiFi is not allowed.

While we were in West Virginia visiting my Mom, I knew I had to take Clayton (an aspiring Astrophysics) to see it.

We purchased our tour tickets online to make sure we had spots. At the time (Summer of 2021) covid restrictions were still in place and bus tours had been shut down and instead replaced by a guided walking tour.

green bank observatory - people walking on a road for the guided tour

We were allowed to have our electronics with us (in airplane mode) until we reached the gate of the restricted area where even gasoline filed vehicles aren’t allowed (only diesel).

Green Bank Observatory - gate to the restricted area

Once through the gate, we continued our tour where we learned more about the history of the Green Bank Observatory, the different telescopes and what makes this area a prime spot for creating a National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ).

Our last stop on the tour was to see the gigantic Green Bank Telescope (GBT). While I could not take a picture next to it, I was able to get a picture from about a mile away.

The dish alone is 100×110 meters in diameter or approximately 328×360 feet in diameter. It stands 485 feet tall and weighs 17 Million pounds!!!! In other words, it is one big beast!

green bank observatory green bank telescope nuttyhiker

About the National Radio Quiet Zone

The NRQZ is bounded by NAD-83 meridians of longitude at 78d 29m 59.0s W and 80d 29m 59.2s W and latitudes of 37d 30m 0.4s N and 39d 15m 0.4s N, and encloses a land area of approximately 13,000 square miles near the state border between Virginia and West Virginia.

national radio quiet zone map

More Information about the Green Bank Observatory

ADDRESS
155 Observatory Rd
Green Bank, WV 24944

PHONE NUMBER
(304) 456-2150

WEBSITE

HOURS
Open to the Public: Thursday-Monday 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Tours: Tours are offered on open days at 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00

COST
$5-$40 per person depending on the tour

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

NEXT ADVENTURE BEGINS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL

LATEST ADVENTURE

Kentucky Destinations

Black Mountain – Kentucky High Point

October 2, 2023 0

Recent Posts

  • Black Mountain – Kentucky High Point
  • Bluetti EB3A Power Station Review
  • Bodega Electric Camping Cooler Review
  • Greenbrier River Trail Hike Announcement
  • Easylonger ES720 Backpacking CPAP Battery
  • Acebeam H16 Headlamp / Flashlight Review
  • Smokey Bear Historical Park & Gravesite
  • Visiting the Very Large Array
  • Trekroll: The All in One Camp Bed Solution (Review)
  • Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Battlebox Banner
Zero Balance Banner
Mountain Steals Banner

Footer

FOLLOW

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed
  • Amazon

SUPPORT =)

This blog is my full-time job. I rely heavily on support from my readers. If you would like to help offset the cost of running this blog and my nutty adventures so I can continue to bring you travel & outdoor adventures, please feel free to donate =)
Donate to Nutty Hiker

DISCLOSURE

Per the FTC, This website contains affiliate links, advertisements, and sponsored posts. For reviews, I was provided with a complimentary copy of the item unless otherwise stated. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the amazon links located on my website. Read my full policy here.

AWARDS/ASSOCIATIONS

OWAA Member Logo Best Outdoor Blogs

Copyright © 2023 — Nutty Hiker Advenures | Bridget Carlson • All rights reserved.
The links on this website are solely for the convenience of our visitors. Nutty Hiker does not endorse, operate, or control external websites.
Terms of Use • Privacy Policy• Disclosure• Contest Rules