5 spectacular places in the U.S. to watch the Perseid meteor shower this week

If you remember seeing shooting stars on a hot summer night as a kid, you were most likely witnessing the Perseid meteor shower. This annual astronomical event (primarily visible in the northern hemisphere) happens from mid-July through late August, filling the night sky with 50 to 75 meteors per hour at its peak.

This year, the Perseids will peak on the evening of Aug. 12 and into the early hours of Aug. 13, but, weather permitting, they’ll be visible throughout the shower, from July 17 to Aug. 24. (The upcoming total solar eclipse will also take place on Aug. 12, though only a partial eclipse will be visible from parts of the U.S.) The best way to watch the meteors is to head somewhere with minimal light pollution and plenty of sky visibility. Then, just lean back and keep your eyes peeled.

The places on this list are all official International Dark Sky Places, meaning they’ve been independently reviewed and certified for their excellent dark sky conditions and protection practices. Many are also national parks and state parks, so they’re also stunning by day.

1. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

With more Dark Sky Places than any other U.S. state, Utah is an obvious choice for the Perseids. Of the Mighty 5, Bryce Canyon National Park is the clear winner when it comes to stargazing. Its remote location, high elevation and thin, dry air make for excellent stargazing conditions.

Like many of Utah’s parks, Bryce Canyon is also filled with surreal rock formations, providing an otherworldly backdrop for the shooting stars. If you have time for a full day, check out Bryce Point, Inspiration Point or the Rim Trail for sweeping views of the world’s largest collection of hoodoos.

Just note that smoke from fires in the region can reduce nighttime visibility, so check local air quality and park alerts before you go.

2. Badlands National Park, S.D.

Famous for its surreal geologic deposits that look a bit like Mars, Badlands National Park in South Dakota is an exceptional place to watch the Perseids. It’s situated far from any major cities, with dark skies and wide horizons, and holds the official International Dark Sky Park designation. But the best part of posting up in the Badlands for the meteor shower is the perfect pairing of this special celestial event with a spectacular, sci-fi-esque setting.

Located about an hour east of Rapid City and 90 minutes from historic Deadwood, the Badlands span more than 375 square miles, giving you plenty of space to spread out for the meteor shower. By day, exploring the maze-like buttes, pinnacles and rock formations is the thing to do. Even if you don’t have much time before nightfall, stopping at Panorama Point or Big Badlands Overlook, or driving the scenic Badlands Loop Road, are easy ways to get an extensive look at the unique terrain.

3. Black Mesa State Park, Okla.

Come August, Black Mesa State Park will be an outstanding place to marvel at the Perseids. Designated a Dark Sky Park — Oklahoma’s first — in Dec. 2025, Black Mesa has some of the starriest skies in the central U.S. It’s also the highest point in the state. Tucked into the panhandle, far from the light pollution of major cities, the park offers exceptional conditions for spotting meteors, and you’ll have an excellent shot at seeing the Milky Way.

Connected to Black Mesa Nature Preserve, the area’s landscape is extremely diverse, featuring its namesake layer of black lava rock, plus Lake Carl Etling, South Carrizo Creek and a series of dramatic rock towers. The nature preserve is also home to eagles, antelope, quails, bighorn sheep, bobcats and more. The Black Mesa Summit Trail is the place to go for an overlook of the park and the lake by day. Once it’s dark, you’ll have a sky full of stars and more than a few meteors up above.

4. Cherry Springs State Park, Penn.

Most of the International Dark Sky Places in the U.S. are in the western half of the country, but you can find some good viewing places in the eastern states too — namely, in Pennsylvania. Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places to stargaze east of the Mississippi, where it can be tricky to find areas with minimal light pollution. This remote park sits atop the 2,300-foot Allegheny Plateau, surrounded by the Susquehannock State Forest, and it even has a designated public viewing area for stargazers.

While the night sky is definitely the biggest attraction for most visitors, there’s plenty to do during the day as well. The nearby Susquehannock Trail is ideal for hiking and backpacking, or you can head out for a drive along Scenic Route 6. If you have time, head about an hour southeast to Pine Creek Gorge, otherwise known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, or visit Kinzua Bridge State Park due west of Cherry Springs.

5. Joshua Tree National Park, Calif.

Despite being relatively close to Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places on the West Coast to watch a meteor shower like the Perseids. There’s significantly less light pollution in the park than in the surrounding cities, and its vast landscape and dry climate (with minimal haze) helped it earn International Dark Sky Park designation. If you head there for the meteor shower, you’ll get to see the shooting stars against a backdrop of iconic Joshua trees.

And you won’t struggle to fill the daylight hours either. Hike among the bulbous rock formations on the Hidden Valley Trail, pose with Skull Rock (which looks exactly like it sounds) or drive up to Keys View for an overlook of the Coachella Valley. The nearby town of Joshua Tree is a small-but-mighty arts hub with independent museums, locally owned coffee shops and great antiquing. Palm Springs is within easy driving distance too, offering more options for lodging and dining.