Are you ready for the best meteor show of the year?
The Perseid meteor shower is an August favorite among skywatchers, and it’s one of the easiest and most rewarding sky events to see. You don’t even need a telescope for this astral phenomenon—just a dark sky, a clear night, and a little patience.
What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?
The meteor shower appears when the earth passes through a stream of debris, often left behind by a comet. The Perseid meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through the debris trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. This celestial event is visible every summer, with its peak activity usually occurring in mid-August.
During the peak, observers can see dozens of meteors per hour, sometimes even more. The Perseids are known for their bright, fast meteors and are considered one of the best meteor showers of the year.
When Can You See the Perseid Meteor Shower?
The Perseids peak August 11–12 this year. During their peak, the moon will be in its waning gibbous phase, meaning it’s past the full stage and becoming smaller again. With such bright moonlight, the “falling stars” are less visible.
A great way to watch the Perseids this year is to catch it between late July, when there’s a new moon, and the time when bright moonlight starts to obscure your view. Many Perseids are quite bright, so you can still see them by blocking moonlight, such as from the shadow of a building.
The number of meteors tends to increase between late night and the wee hours of dawn, so to see the best show, expect a late night or set your alarm to rise before dawn.
If you’re watching on August 12, a pre-dawn viewer will also be treated to the dazzling conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the morning sky.
The Perseids rise to a peak gradually around the first of August and then tend to fall off rapidly after their peak.
Where to Watch the Perseid Meteor Showers in the Northwest
Watching the Perseid Meteor Shower is a summertime favorite, but here’s the trick: to see the most meteors, you need to get away from city lights. That’s where designated dark sky locations come in. Organizations like DarkSky International recognize these black as night skies for the quality of their night sky and the efforts made to protect it.
Dark sky locations are recognized for their naturally dark conditions and minimal light pollution—perfect for spotting shooting stars. Here are six of the Northwest’s best places to watch the Perseids.
Goldendale Observatory State Park, Washington
Goldendale is one of the most well-known stargazing spots in the Northwest. It’s a state park built specifically for astronomy, with telescopes, public programs, and plenty of room for spreading out under the stars. On Perseid nights, people often gather in the field with lawn chairs and sleeping bags to watch the show. It’s easily accessible and has a small-town feel.
Prineville Reservoir State Park, Oregon
This was Oregon’s first certified Dark Sky Park, and it really shines during meteor showers. You can camp at the park or drive out for the night and find a quiet spot along the reservoir. The sky here is wide open, and you’ll often see reflections of the meteors on the water. It’s peaceful, quiet, and a great way to escape the summer heat with some lake time during the day and catch the light show at night.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, Oregon
Sunriver is known for clear skies, with ample sunshine during the day and stars at night. The observatory often hosts nighttime programs, and there’s a whole community of folks who come here just for the stargazing. Plus, Sunriver is a popular vacation destination. You can combine a Perseids viewing trip with a full weekend of biking, floating the river, and exploring the Deschutes area.
Photo by Troy Squillaci
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon
This remote area of Eastern Oregon has some of the darkest skies in the state. There are no formal programs here—just big skies and solitude. The Painted Hills unit is a popular area to set up for meteor viewing. Bring a blanket, stay a while, and soak up the stars. Bonus: the Painted Hills look otherworldly in moonlight.
Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve
This one’s just outside the Northwest’s typical boundaries, but worth including. Central Idaho is home to the only Gold-tier International Dark Sky Reserve in the U.S. That means it’s one of the darkest places you can stargaze in North America. Stanley, Ketchum, and other nearby spots offer wide-open views and easy access to some seriously impressive skies.
Photo by Alex Moliski
North Cascades National Park, Washington
The North Cascades are rugged and remote—perfect for escaping the glow of city lights. Highway 20 has several pullouts with incredible night views, or you can backpack in for total darkness and solitude. On a clear night, the Perseids streak across a sky filled with stars, and if you’re lucky, the Milky Way will be in full view too.
A Few Tips for a Great Night Under the Stars
Photo by Abhishek Tanwar
Peak viewing: August 11–13, 2025
Best viewing time: After midnight until dawn, when the skies are darkest
Dress in layers. It may be August, but it still gets cold once the sun goes down.
Skip the screen time. Let your eyes adjust to the dark for 20–30 minutes. You’ll see more meteors that way.
Get comfortable. Bring a reclining chair or blanket so you can lie back and watch the whole sky.
No telescope needed. The Perseids are best seen with the naked eye—just look up and enjoy.
Set Out to See the Stars
Whether you head out to a certified Dark Sky Park or just find a quiet spot away from town, the Perseid meteor shower is worth the trip. It’s a chance to slow down, stay up late, and watch the universe put on a show.
If you go, let us know your favorite spot or tag us in your photos—we love seeing your Best of the Northwest adventures under the stars.
