Where to find meteor showers.

First things first—did you know a meteor shower is when numerous meteors seem to originate from a single point in the night sky? This phenomenon occurs when streams of cosmic debris, known as meteoroids, hurtle into the Earth's atmosphere at incredible speeds on parallel paths. Only upon entering the atmosphere do they transform into meteors.

When is the best time to plan for a meteor shower viewing?

As interest in astrotourism soars, so do the reservations (and costs) for celestial attractions. Particularly, campsites in popular stargazing locations tend to fill up three to four months ahead, making early planning and booking essential.

Fortunately, the night sky offers a wealth of opportunities with spectacular meteor showers throughout the year, providing numerous options both domestically and internationally. Here’s when to secure your spot for the major events—generally, aim to book at least two months in advance for other occasions.

The Leonids

Reservation period: August to September

Renowned for their brilliance and long, trailing tails, the Leonids usually showcase about 10 to 15 shooting stars per hour. They are active from November 3rd to December 2nd, with a peak expected between November 17th and 18th in 2024.

The Geminids

Reservation period: August to September

Renowned for their intensity and reliability, the Geminids meteor shower lives up to expectations, boasting up to 130 to 140 meteors per hour under clear conditions. This shower occurs from November 19th to December 24th, peaking on December 13th and 14th in 2024.

The Quadrantids

Reservation period: September to October

Regarded as one of the most powerful and reliable meteor showers, the Quadrantids can be observed from December 28th to January 12th, with their next peak occurring on January 3rd, 2025.

The Perseids

Reservation period: February to March

These meteor showers are the most famous and widely observed, making early bookings essential. The Perseids run from mid-July through the end of August, with a peak in mid-August.

The top locations for viewing meteor showers in North America

The United States and Canada are teeming with prime meteor shower viewing locations, particularly Dark Sky Parks where light pollution is minimized. Of the 117 DSPs globally, 85 are located in the US, with 50 in the southwestern region. If you plan to camp in a state or national park, ensure you have the necessary permits beforehand.

Death Valley National Park, California

As the largest US national park outside of Alaska, Death Valley provides an excellent vantage point for various meteor showers. You only need to select your camping site. For optimal viewing conditions in January, the Quadrantids shine brightly. Alternatively, enjoy the Lyrids from April 16 to 25 for a more temperate experience.

In August, temperatures soar, and many campgrounds close as the Perseids peak. While there are many developed campgrounds available, we recommend choosing a more rustic site like Thorndike.

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

Renowned for its pristine views of the Milky Way and often elusive celestial events, Cherry Springs State Park is a premier Dark Skies destination. It features a dedicated Overnight Astronomy Observation Field, surrounded by the expansive 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest, crisscrossed by the 85-mile Susquehannock hiking Trail. Calling it remote hardly captures its essence.

Join the Night Sky Public Viewing Area in August for the Perseids meteor shower, complete with complimentary stargazing programs and events. The Orionid meteor shower, peaking from October 20th to 21st, is a fascinating byproduct of Halley’s Comet.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend in Texas boasts the lowest light pollution of any national park in the contiguous United States, largely due to its sparse population. With 67 primitive campsites nestled along hundreds of miles of backcountry roads, reaching them can be a challenge, but the reward is well worth it. While there is an entrance fee for the park, visitors can enjoy free night sky programs and star parties.

The Perseids in August are the highlight of the meteor calendar. However, in 2024, the lesser-known Ursids will peak around December 22nd to 23rd, coinciding with a new moon on December 23rd, promising excellent visibility.

Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador

Located on Canada’s far eastern coast, Terra Nova is an exceptional spot for meteor watching. Its unique coastal setting provides deep black skies, vibrant nocturnal wildlife, and the opportunity to witness meteor showers just as Newfoundland’s original inhabitants once did.

Compact and easily accessible, the park features two main campgrounds and seven backcountry sites, all shrouded in darkness. Beachy Pond offers a particularly secluded experience, reachable only by canoe, while Sandy Pond is noted for having the darkest skies in the entire park. Don’t miss the visitor center; the meteor reflections on the tranquil waters of Newman Sound are truly breathtaking.

Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

Just a couple of hours from Winnipeg on the Ontario border, Whiteshell Provincial Park may not be an official Dark Sky Preserve, but it’s still a stunning location. West Hawk Lake sits at the center of the park's meteor watching community, and it’s no coincidence; the lake was formed in a crater from a meteor impact.

While winter in Canada has its charm, the annual West Hawk Meteor Fest in mid-July is warmer and more vibrant, celebrating everything celestial and marking the beginning of the Perseids meteor shower.

Top destinations for spotting meteor showers worldwide

Outside North America, there are numerous stargazing locations that rival the beauty of the skies above them. In addition to designated dark sky parks, seek out rural areas away from urban light. Deserts, forests, mountains, and coastlines provide excellent options, often featuring affordable accommodations, breathtaking scenery, and minimal light pollution.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

On the other side of the globe, New Zealand is justifiably famous for its stargazing opportunities year-round. It hosts the Southern Hemisphere’s largest dark sky reserve, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, located on the South Island.

Some of its most impressive celestial events include the Eta Aquariids, which occur from mid-April to mid-May, and the Geminids, peaking in mid-December. For affordable accommodations, consider staying in Tekapo, which offers easy access to Lake Tekapo at the heart of the reserve.

Namib Desert, Namibia

Spanning over 1,200 miles along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and northwest South Africa, the Namib Desert is vast and largely uninhabited. It remains perpetually dark and is graced with meteor showers for much of the year.

The optimal time to visit is between July and October, when the weather is warm and skies are predominantly clear. This period makes it an exceptional location for observing the Perseids meteor shower, which peaks in August. You'll find numerous budget-friendly lodges and camping spots nestled deep in the desert.

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Ireland

In a darkened corner of southwestern Ireland, the remote County Kerry boasts some of Europe’s finest meteor shower displays. The reserve is free to access and open year-round, making it an excellent site for viewing the Perseids and Geminids, though the Lyrids truly steal the show.

Illuminating the night skies from April 16th to 25th annually, the Lyrids reach their peak late on April 21st into the early hours of the 22nd in 2025. Spring is an ideal time to visit, especially with the annual Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival celebrating all things celestial; in 2025, it takes place from March 28th to 30th.

Korčula, Croatia

Croatia demonstrates that you don’t need an official dark sky reserve to enjoy meteor showers. Instead of the popular stargazing destination on Hvar, consider the quaint, scenic Korčula along the Dalmatian coast.

With minimal light pollution and favorable elevation, it offers an ideal mix of culture, beach relaxation, and starry skies without the hassles of camping. Reserve an affordable local room and savor exquisite seafood during the day. When night falls, seek out secluded beaches and quiet hiking paths for convenient stargazing. The Lyrids and Perseids meteor showers, occurring in clear spring and summer skies, provide the best opportunities for unforgettable celestial displays.

The Azores, Portugal

The Azores, Portugal's mid-Atlantic archipelago, is one of the most remote places in Europe, offering year-round darkness without major cities to disturb the night sky. Each island provides an ideal setting for meteor watching, with São Miguel being the most easily accessible.

Throughout the island, a series of miradouros – viewpoints perfect for meteor viewing – showcase breathtaking volcanic, coastal, and lakeside landscapes. In August, enjoy the Perseids from Miradouro de Santa Iria, where you can see the constellation Perseus rise from the horizon at dusk right in front of you.

What should I verify before heading out to watch meteors?

First, check the weather; if it’s cloudy, visibility will be poor regardless of how dark the area is. Additionally, a bright moon can overshadow the stars, so aim to plan your visit around a new moon for optimal darkness.

What items should I take for watching a meteor shower?

Consider bringing a telescope or binoculars for closer views of the stars during the meteor showers. A red flashlight is essential to maintain your night vision, and it's a good idea to cover camera flashes and lamps with red cellophane.