Antelope, Oregon, had its moment of fame in the 1980s, when followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh swept in, registered to vote and effectively took over the tiny incorporated city. For about two years, they even renamed it “Rajneesh.”

These days, the central Oregon town — home to just 37 residents as of the 2020 census — is a much quieter place. So quiet, in fact, that its clear night skies and lack of light pollution recently earned it the distinction of being Oregon’s first Dark Sky-certified city .

Now, a new campground offers visitors a chance to spend the night and experience the beauty of those stars themselves. The Antelope Basecamp includes 10 A-frame cabins that were originally used in the Rajneeshpuram commune and have been repurposed as overnight rentals.

Brandie McName

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