2024's Most Spectacular Meteor Shower Is Happening This Weekend, Here's How to See It in the US

According to the Virtual Telescope Project, which is live streaming the event, “This year, the sky will offer perfect conditions (no moon interference), so don’t miss the show.”

For those in the US seeking optimal viewing locations, rural areas far removed from city lights offer the most promising prospects. National parks like Joshua Tree, remote stargazing camping grounds, and dark sky parks are excellent choices.

There are over 60 dark sky parks across the US, which have some of the best stargazing conditions in the world.

These mapped designated areas are characterized by exceptionally low levels of light pollution, offering optimal conditions for stargazing and astronomical observation. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is responsible for certifying these parks, ensuring they meet stringent light pollution control and public education criteria.

Photo: kesterhu/Shutterstock

National parks and dark sky areas celebrate the pristine night sky with a robust calendar of year-round events. If you’re interested in joining others for the spectacle or learning more about the shower, here are some of the weekend’s best happenings.

An Evening with the Perseids Meteor Shower at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

• Location: Visitor Center
• Date: August 11, 8:00-10:00 PM

Half the Park Happens After Dark at Glacier National Park, Montana

• Location: Apgar Visitor Center parking lot, Lake McDonald Valley
• Date: August 4-28, 10:00-11:30 PM

Perseid Meteor Shower Observing at Port Crescent State Park, Michigan

• Location: Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, Michigan
• Date: August 11, 9:00-11:00 PM

Dark Sky Tour at Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

• Location: North View Overlook
• Date: August 11-October 12, 6:30-10:30 PM

Night Sky Program at Badlands National Park, South Dakota

• Location: Cedar Pass Amphitheater, Cedar Pass Campground
• Date: August 11-31, 9:00-9:30 PM

Dark Skies over Bodie Island at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina

• Location: Bodie Island Lighthouse parking lot
• Date: Every Sunday until September 2, 9:00 PM

Perseids Meteor Shower Viewing at Staunton River State Park, Virginia

• Location: Observation Field
• Date: Open until August 24

Paradise Night Skies Program at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State

• Location: Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise
• Date: Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September 2, 9:45-11:45 PM

If you can’t watch the Perseid meteor shower in person, you can catch a free online livestream. Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project will be hosting two live broadcasts: the first on August 11 at 9:00 PM ET, and the second on August 12 at 9:00 PM ET.