Top 5 national parks to witness this year’s meteor shower

According to the American Meteor Society, this year’s most powerful meteor shower, the Perseids, will peak on August 11. If reports are to go by, this event could generate up to 100 meteors per hour as debris from the parent comet, Swift-Tuttle, enters Earth's atmosphere, resulting in shooting stars that might be visible for several minutes. Due to the comet's larger size, NASA notes that the Perseid meteor shower produces more fireballs with subtle blue and red hues compared to nearly any other shower.

Weather permitting and in locations free from light pollution, this year's Perseid meteor shower could offer an exceptional display from midnight to early morning between August 11 and 13. This is because, around midnight each night, the waxing gibbous moon will dip below the horizon, removing lunar light that usually hampers stargazing.

To help you locate dark skies and fully enjoy this year's most spectacular meteor shower, here are some of the best viewing spots:

While the Grand Canyon is renowned for its ancient rock layers, its night skies have recently gained equal admiration. Ranger and dark-sky advocate Rader Lane notes that stargazing has become the park's most popular activity, with special events planned for the Perseid meteor shower.

Certified as a Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, the Grand Canyon will host astronomical events at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim from August 9 to 13, starting at 9 PM. Visitors can watch for meteors, marvel at the Milky Way, and participate in laser-guided constellation talks led by rangers.

The alien-like sedimentary rock formations in Badlands appear even more otherworldly under a star-filled sky. As per the park’s website, over 7,500 stars are visible on any given night, with the dark skies allowing for views of the Milky Way and the Perseids. Badlands, which is under consideration for Dark Sky International certification, hosts a nightscape program every evening at the Cedar Pass Amphitheater throughout August, including during the Perseids peak from August 11 to 13. Visitors can explore the night sky through telescopes while listening to the park's night-sky experts.

Zion constantly amazes visitors, but nighttime offers an especially magical experience with shooting stars and fireballs streaking across the sky. As a Dark Sky-certified park, Zion is open 24 hours, and one of the most sought-after spots for unobstructed views is the Pa'rus Trail, which can be accessed from the park visitor center and the South Campground.

With minimal light pollution, Glacier National Park—open 24/7—is a stargazing haven. It is also the first Dark Sky-certified park to span international borders, including both Glacier and its northern neighbor, Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta.

Describing Wrangell–St. Elias as remote only scratches the surface; it is one of the largest and least visited national parks in the country. Its isolation means reaching the park can be challenging, with long transit times required from Anchorage by car and bush plane. However, when the midnight sun fades and the park's dark, star-filled night skies emerge, you'll find the effort worthwhile.