# Black Mesa State Park Celebration of DSI designation - April 17-18, 2026!

**URL:** <https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491>\
**Category:** Events\
**Created:** [February 22, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491 "2026-02-22T23:38:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/1 "2026-02-22T23:38:13Z")

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The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation would like our help.  
Anyone interested in joining us to celebrate the designation of Black Mesa State Park as a Dark Sky International State Park, please follow this thread. We will be running Star Parties on the nights of Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th. If I know you plan to come in advance, we can arrange for campsites or RV sites to be saved. In case of Spring weather, we still need to be available to provide a program on site. Let me know if you are interested. Please email me at  
[eileen.grzybowski@okcastroclub.com](mailto:eileen.grzybowski@okcastroclub.com)  
The Park staff will be presenting and running Night Hikes. (PollyAnna Kiker will be our Presenter about how BMSP was named a Dark Sky Site on Friday, April 10th at the Science Museum of Oklahoma).  
Even beginners in Astronomy can share their love of the night sky in the darkest skies of Oklahoma.  
Follow this thread for future updates.  
Eileen Grzybowski

Update 03/13/2026  
See my posts from 03/18/2026 below.

 ![Screenshot 2026-03-13 at 4.24.32 PM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d167151e222159566306e147071a01da2a475634.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/2 "2026-03-11T20:43:43Z")

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We’ll miss you, Mitche! Are you interested in coming out to BMSP on April 17th and 18th?  
Polly could use the help.  
Eileen

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/3 "2026-03-12T17:09:44Z")

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Got it on my calendar! As of now, I should be there.

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/4 "2026-03-12T17:40:12Z")

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My wife and I are planning currently to go.

Are there any spots still available?

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/5 "2026-03-12T21:14:37Z")

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If you want your own spot at a regular campsite or tent spot, you can make your reservation through the State Park system. If not, see me at our meeting on Friday as we’ll be assigned an area in the Youth Camp at the N end.

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/6 "2026-03-13T00:25:34Z")

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Which would better for the event?

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 3:32am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/7 "2026-03-13T03:32:28Z")

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Let’s talk tomorrow at the meeting.  
Eileen

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2026, 3:49am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/8 "2026-03-13T03:49:54Z")

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👍

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/9 "2026-03-18T19:03:41Z")

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I finally got around to reserving my campsite at BMSP. Just in time, as I believe I got the last RV site available for those dates.

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/10 "2026-03-18T20:08:44Z")

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👍

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**Author:** ![Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/randy/32/1664_2.png) [@Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Randy)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/11 "2026-03-18T21:25:53Z")

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Guess I waited too long - all sold out. I wish the would have indicated the total number that can be reserved for this event.

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/12 "2026-03-18T22:27:04Z")

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I think you can set up in the group area. I doubt they’ll have water there, but they might have electricity. Check with Eileen or Pollyanna.

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**Author:** ![Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/randy/32/1664_2.png) [@Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Randy)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/13 "2026-03-18T23:29:09Z")

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Okay - I don’t have an RV but a tent. So they won’t shoo me out even though I don’t have a reservation I take it?

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/14 "2026-03-18T23:33:27Z")

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Hey, Group! I spent 5 hours at BMSP with PollyAnna.  
on Monday. Email PollyAnna as she has tent and RV sites saved that are not listed. They have been saved for our group IF you are coming to help as a volunteer and not just hang out. She has an entire area in the Youth Camp also available for us. Tell her that you are a volunteer with OKCAC. The personnel at OK Dept. of Tourism & Recreation opened up an EventBrite response tab on Friday, the same day as our meeting. No comment. (We fear they do not know what they are doing.)Tent sites are $16. RV sites are $25. Contact Polly by email at:  
[pollyanna.kiker@travelok.com](mailto:pollyanna.kiker@travelok.com).  
Please do it ASAP. Polly has her end under control. Don’t call! Email her! Do NOT call her as her phone has been ringing off the hook. She has a plan for any overflow. She’ll be at her own professional meetings next weekend and into early next week. My concern is how they set up the EventBrite response can be misleading. This is not OTSP. We are not running the event. T&R is! This is an Event to celebrate BMSP being named a Dark Sky International State Park.  
The Youth Camp area will house T&R personnel along with volunteers from our club - OKCAC.  
I am visiting my grandson presently and will try to respond once a day.

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/15 "2026-03-19T01:17:24Z")

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Randy! You are fine! Email PollyAnna. See next post.  
Eileen

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/16 "2026-03-19T01:23:40Z")

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They have 1 toilet for the men and 2 for the women that will be available to anyone staying in the group camp area. The Main Building will also be set up with food. Hot dogs and beans. (Polly and I wanted to have Dutch Oven meals & demos. She had someone lined up. T&R said no. Oh well, another time!) The bunkhouse cabins in the Youth Camp area will NOT be available as they are falling apart in places and are not safe. See my other post.

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**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/17 "2026-03-19T01:26:30Z")

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mpspurge - See my post from earlier today. There is still time & places - tent and RV - just email PollyAnna. See my post from today.

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/18 "2026-03-19T01:57:07Z")

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I already emailed her and have our reservation through the regular reservation process.

Thanks!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e480ec/32.png) [@egrizz](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/egrizz)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/19 "2026-03-21T16:12:10Z")

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Did you contact PollyAnna? See email provided.  
Eileen

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**Author:** ![Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/randy/32/1664_2.png) [@Randy](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Randy)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/black-mesa-state-park-celebration-of-dsi-designation-april-17-18-2026/1491/20 "2026-03-21T16:39:53Z")

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Yes I did and she has my name down. Said that I can have a spot but not in the main campground area.

Randy

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