13 Incredible Places to Catch the Perseid Meteor Shower

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Don't let pesky street lights ruin one of the most spectacular celestial shows of the year. Opt for one of these locales (or your nearest open field!) to catch the Perseid meteor shower. It peaks late Wednesday night into early Thursday, Aug. 12-13. A truly dark sky can reveal 50 or more meteors per hour during during peak times.

Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ

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Party like a cosmic star at Kitt Peak, the world's largest collection of radio and optical telescopes. The observatory's Perseids-viewing event "Meteor Mania" kicks off at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, and doesn't wind down until the next day at 3 a.m. Admission is $$ for adults, $$ for children.Reservations required.

Go here for details.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, MI

Courtesy of Headlands International Dark Sky Park

Stop by Heritage Village, across the street from the Headlands main entrance, for a Perseid Picnic on Aug. 11, from 9-10 p.m. Aftwerward, head to the shoreline area inside the park for informal overnight viewing. Bonus: northern Michigan has incredible Milky Way visibility this time of year.

Check out the park's Programs & Events page for details.

Acadia National Park, ME

Flickr/Hugh Derr ("H.J. Derr")

This national treasure off the coast of Maine will host several nighttime events during the Perseid's peak, including a family-friendly look at "Acadia after dark." Check the website for details on programs happening Aug. 11-13.

Can't make it there for the Perseid shower? Try the Acadia Night Sky Festival in September.

Cathedral Gorge State Park, NV

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Not only do the geologic sculptures of Cathedral Gorge make for amazing photos during the day, they're even more stunning with a backdrop of sparkly meteors. Camp overnight for the best views. Get there early: The park's 22 sites are first come, first serve.

See Nevada State Parks for more info.

Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport, PA

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As one of only 26 certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world, Cherry Springs is a great place to stargaze anytime. It's even better during the park's Perseids Meteor Shower Watch on Aug. 11, from 9:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Guests are welcome to stay after the program officially ends—that's when the real show begins!

Pre-registration is required. Check out the park's calendar of events for details.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

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On Aug. 12, head out to Nevada Telephone Cove for a Perseid party hosted by park rangers and the Lake Mead Institute. Set up camp to stay overnight in the area, or, at the very least, bring a comfortable folding chair and water.

Call 702-293-8990 or visit NPS.gov for more information.

Yosemite National Park, CA

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Nestled among the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is an ideal place to catch the Perseid showers. Insider tip: Some of the best vantage points are from Tenaya Lodge and Glacier Point—check out the sweet meteor footage captured there in 2013.

Learn more at Yosemite's NPS.gov site.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

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The Big Island's highest point, Mauna Kea, offers the best views but is often difficult to get to due to treacherous road conditions. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is your best bet. Camp overnight or visit in the wee hours of the morning (the park is open around the clock, all year). Insider tip: The above photo was taken at the Overlook of the Volcano Kilauea inside Halema'uma'u crater.

Check out the park's website for more info.

Great Basin National Park, Baker, NV

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Jeff Davis Peak and Wheeler Peak at Great Basin National Park are excellent locations to take in the showers. The park offers guided astronomy events throughout the summer, including a Perseid Meteor Watching Party (with the parks Dark Rangers!) on Aug. 12.


Insider tip: The above image was captured at Wheeler Peak Star Trails.

See the park's [link href="http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/great-basin-night-sky.htm" target="_blank" link_updater_label="external"]event calendar for more information.

Montauk Point State Park, Montauk, NY

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Montauk Point wants parkgoers to get a spectacular view of the celestial show that is the Perseid shower, so it's staying open late on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Admission is free.

See NYParks.com for details.

Observatory Park, Montville, OH

Courtesy of Geauga Park District

Open till 1 a.m. in the summer, this International Dark Sky Park was made for meteor showers. Down-pointed red lighting minimizes light pollution and with more than 1,000 acres on site, you're sure to find a secluded spot for optimal viewing.

Check out Montville's Geauga Park District site for details.

Delaware Canal State Park, Upper Black Eddy, PA

Flickr/Garden State Hiker

Search the skies with likeminded stargazers at Delaware Canal State Park's Perseid Meteor Shower Campout, including refreshments and, if needed, loaner camping gear. There's also the option of taking a nighttime paddle along the Delaware River. Suggested donation, $$.

Register in advance with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, TX

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A center for public astronomy education, this West Texas observatory only opens its 107-inch Harlan J. Smith Telescope to the public a handful of times each year. It will do so again on Aug. 12, giving stargazers a rare look at the Perseid showers. Reservations are recommended.

Find out more at McDonald Observatory.

From: Country Living US

By Maria Carter