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There’s a reason stargazers love the Perseids. The meteor shower can spark up to 100 shooting stars per hour at peak during prime viewing years, with numerous sightings of eye-popping fireballs—the name for especially vivid and colorful meteors that can reach the same luminosity as Venus.

The Perseids, which peak in August, do come with a slight hitch: the 86-percent illuminated moon will hinder the shower’s view. But that’s no reason to skip it. Instead, rethink your Perseid-viewing plan.

Read on for your 2025 strategy to catch the buzzed-about Perseids, along with other interstellar marvels that will join them, from concurrent meteor showers to the year’s best views of the Milky Way.

What’s the Best Time to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower in 2025?

This year’s Perseids runs from July 17 to August 23 and will peak overnight from August 12 to 13. Typically, it’s best to view a meteor shower during the stretch of highest activity, but that’s not the case this year. The meteor shower crescendos just three days after the full moon. Since lunar light pollution will hide the milder meteors, only the brightest shooting stars and fireballs will be visible.

That’s why many backyard astronomers are switching gears and watching the Perseids off-peak, in the nights and weeks leading up to that August 12 to 13 timeframe. July 29 into 30 is particularly promising, as the moon is only a quarter full, it sets around midnight (right when the Perseids action kicks into gear), and this coincides with other active meteor showers.

Improve Your Perseids View with Other Meteor Showers

While the Perseids won’t produce a flurry of 50 to 100 shooting stars in late July and early August, the timing does provide the chance to watch for four meteor showers in one night, including two that will peak from July 29 to 30.

Here are the four coinciding summer meteor showers, including when to watch, what to look for, and where you’ll see them in the sky (also known as the radiant). I recommend downloading a stargazing app for night-sky navigation.

• Alpha Capricornids: July 3 to August 15
  • Peak: July 29 to 30
  • Look near: Capricornus constellation low in the southeast sky
  • You’ll see: A mild shower with only around five meteors per hour during peak, but the potential for some dramatic fireballs.
• Southern Delta Aquariids: July 18 to August 12
  • Peak: July 29 to 30
  • Look near: Aquarius constellation low in the southern sky
  • You’ll see: Around seven meteors per hour under dark skies. To note: This one’s best viewed in the southern hemisphere and the southern part of the northern hemisphere.
• Perseids: July 17 to August 23
  • Peak: Aug 12 to 13
  • Look near: Perseus constellation in the northeast sky
  • You’ll see: Up to 100 meteors per hour under pristine conditions, although fewer are expected in 2025 due to the bright moon. Watch for fireballs, too.
• Eta Eridanids: July 31 to Aug 19
  • Peak: Aug 7 to 8
  • Look near: Eridanus constellation low in the southeast sky
  • You’ll see: A minor shower with about three fast meteors per hour at peak.

How to Watch a Meteor Shower: Tips and Tricks

Admiring a meteor shower requires a bit of planning, from choosing a strategic viewpoint to pinpointing red flags to avoid.

1. Avoid light pollution.

Just like with aurora hunting, you’ll want to avoid light pollution when chasing meteor showers. The show gets most active and brilliant under inky skies; that’s why I’m planning to watch the sky confetti from an inky lake in New York’s Adirondacks, followed by Quebec’s Mont-Mégantic, the first DarkSky Reserve in the world. Try a resource like this light pollution map to find a dark-sky viewing place close to home.

2. Shield the moon.

If you do choose to pursue the Perseids at peak, use something—your hand, a folder, a blanket—to shield your eyes from the moon. It won’t fix the situation, but it will help you retain your night vision.

3. Use a red-light flashlight.

Speaking of night vision, it’s important to dim your phone (or use this red-screen trick) and either wrap your bright-white flashlight in red cellophane or invest in a red-light lamp. Red light is easier on our eyes at night; after exposure to white beams, or a full-glow smartphone screen, our eyes require around 30 minutes to readjust to the dark.

4. Look for wide-open vistas.

Since the shooting stars could appear all over the sky, it’s wise to choose a lookout point with minimal overhead obstructions. Instead of a thick forest, for example, scout for a hilltop, desert, or field with clear sky views.

5. Consider air quality.

Unfortunately, wildfires have wreaked havoc on the Southwest’s national parks this summer. The correlating smoke is bad for your health, and its haze can obscure your night-sky views. Keep an eye on air quality updates and consider another viewpoint if thick wildfire smoke is in the forecast.

Where to See the Perseids

In most cases, like with the Perseids, the best viewing stretches from around midnight until dawn. That means you’ll be out and about into the wee hours of the morning—unless you strategize your sleep. I aim for campgrounds, glamping sites, and even low-light hotels located within an area with minimal light pollution.

And there are plenty of prime meteor-shower accommodations still available (as of publication) throughout North America, whether you’re heading out for the July 29 to 30 timing, the August 12 to 13 Perseids peak, or both.

1. ULUM Moab, Utah

In late 2023, light pollution authority DarkSky International launched a new program to certify accommodations that protect their pristine nightscapes. ULUM Moab, a glamping getaway set 40 miles south of Arches National Park, is one of the organization’s first DarkSky-certified lodges. This stamp-of-approval means you can catch the night sky marvels, from the Milky Way to the dimmer Perseids, right from camp. Or, watch the wonder nearby at Arches or Canyonlands National Parks. Suites run from $549 per night; for a less-expensive option, try Under Canvas Moab (from $199), another DarkSky-certified glamping location in Moab.

2. Hébergement aux Cinq Sens, Quebec

In 2007, Quebec’s Mont-Mégantic National Park became the world’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, and it’s become one of Canada’s best-known astronomy spots. Hébergement aux Cinq Sens (from $98), a collection of tiny homes and yurts, lies in the heart of this pine-dotted park, which offers dozens of hiking trails for daytime adventure. It’s a great Perseids basecamp, with wide-open gathering spaces from the hotel grounds and quick access to the park’s sky-watching hub, the ASTROLab, just 16 miles away.

3. Hell Creek Campground, Montana

Nabbing a campsite in Glacier National Park may be trying, but out east, Montana’s remote and inky-sky campground options abound. Try Hell Creek Campground (from $37.50 per night), located in a scenic recreational area along angling haven Fort Peck Lake. The property offers dozens of campsites with virtually zero light pollution and wide-open sky views above the still water and distant peaks.

4. Bruneau Dunes State Park, Idaho

Camp in southern Idaho’s Bruneau Dunes State Park, a DarkSky-certified destination with an onsite public observatory and North America’s tallest single-structured sand dune. The park has two main campgrounds with unobstructed celestial views: Broken Wheel and Eagle Cove (from $25). Both have plenty of availability for the mid-August Perseids peak, with the chance to enjoy shooting stars by night and sandboarding under the sun.

5. Buffalo National River, Arkansas

The Buffalo National River draws paddlers with 135 scenic miles of undammed water. Come dusk, this DarkSky Park is also a favorite among astronomy enthusiasts, with pristine nightscapes and plenty of camping options to admire the heavens. Thick oak and hickory forests do make it tough to watch for meteors in some overnight spots, but Tyler Bend Campground (from $20) is a smart option with relatively minimal forest cover and plenty of summer availability.

6. Beaver Island Retreat, Michigan

Last year, State Wildlife Research Area on Beaver Island became Michigan’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and the Lake Michigan getaway has a host of potential sky sights on offer. Pass your pre-shower hours with birding, paddling, or lake snorkeling. When it’s time to catch the show, stay overnight just north of the sanctuary, at glamping hub Beaver Island Retreats (from $249), where guests have ample space to spot shooting stars, fireballs, and, on lucky nights, the northern lights.

• West Virginia offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.
• The New River Gorge is a popular destination for outdoor adventures, with trails like the Endless Wall and opportunities for climbing and rafting.
• Charleston, the state capital, serves as an urban hub with access to outdoor recreation areas and a growing food and brewery scene.

“Experience America” is a five-part series that showcases often-overlooked destinations and experiences in our backyard.

FAYETTEVILLE, West Virginia ― If you had told me in January I’d be going to West Virginia twice this year, I don’t think I would have believed you, but I’m so glad I can now say I have been.

West Virginia is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, and although even locals don’t always take advantage of the resources right on their doorstep, the state is truly a hidden gem of the great outdoors.

“West Virginia is just often an underrated destination as a whole, and maybe not the first thought for a really high adventure destination,” Lindsey Funk, a public relations assistant at the West Virginia Department of Tourism, told me during my first visit, in May. For that, she said, even West Virginians often go elsewhere. 

But the Mountain State is trying to remind residents and visitors alike that it’s a great place for any pace of outdoor adventure. 

Hiking and nature 

Probably the lowest barrier to entry for the outdoor adventure novice is a hike or a nature walk in West Virginia. The state and national parks, almost all of which are free to access, have nearly endless trails and scenic lookouts. 

West Virginia is a year-round destination, with breathtaking foliage in the fall and gorgeous vistas the rest of the year, according to Funk. 

“In the state as a whole, hiking is probably one of our most family-friendly activities,” she said.  

From the Endless Wall trail in the New River Gorge to the West Virginia Waterfall trail – an official guide to the state’s most beautiful water features – there’s something for everyone. Just remember to bring a sturdy pair of shoes. 

On a recent personal trip to the New River Gorge and Charleston this spring, I saw firsthand how stunning the scenery along the Endless Wall trail can be. With scenic vistas throughout the gorge, including a unique perspective on the famous bridge, hiking there is relatively low-intensity and well worth the payoff.  

The entire trail is just under 5.5 miles out and back, according to AllTrails, but can easily be shortened after taking in some of the views. 

High adventure: Climbing and rafting 

For those seeking more adrenaline, West Virginia is also a great destination for rock climbing and whitewater rafting, both of which can be found in the New River Gorge. 

During the spring trip, I had a chance to raft on the lower New River, with rapids up to Class V, thanks to heavy rain in the days leading up to the excursion.  

With swift-moving water, the entire trip took around an hour and a half to two hours to cover about 14 miles, and the rapids were characterized primarily by big, rolling waves.  

The guide on the trip, from ACE Whitewater Rafting, said water levels can significantly change the dynamics of the river, which is why it’s important to always travel with a guide. Whitewater rafting is an extreme sport, but guides make it much safer. 

There are numerous outfits throughout the New River Gorge that provide guided whitewater rafting excursions.  

Novice climbers may also want a guide or a more experienced buddy if they’re checking out the crags.  

For rock climbers of all skill levels, West Virginia and the New River Gorge are also almost heaven. 

Crags around Fayetteville offer opportunities for outdoor bouldering, top roping, sport and trad climbing for all skill levels. There are also opportunities for deep water soloing at Summersville Lake State Park during the summer. 

I took a trip in July to join Queerclimbtastic, an LGBTQ+ rock climbing retreat held every summer in the New River Gorge, and saw firsthand how great the climbing opportunities are in the state. It was my first time climbing outside after years of indoor-only climbing, and I’m already excited to go back next year and explore other crags closer to home in the meantime.

Bike City, USA 

Charleston is West Virginia’s urban gateway to the wilderness, about an hour from the New River Gorge. It’s also home to a professional circuit bike race and is trying to grow its presence as a destination for road and mountain biking. 

The state’s capital is also a great place to use as a home base for a trip to West Virginia. 

“Charleston’s more of a cityscape for us, a smaller city, but this is a great place for downtown shops and events,” Funk said. “But then, just an hour away, is so many acres of public land and those outdoor adventure options.” 

Charleston has a budding food and brewery scene, an extensive farmer’s market and is also home to Mountain Stage, a long-running NPR program that broadcasts two hours of performed-live country music nationwide.  

Winter sports 

Funk said West Virginia is a year-round state and also has a handful of small ski resorts, which are great for beginners interested in trying out the sport. 

“We are a four-season destination,” she said. 

Jim and Cara Hocking are full-time travel content creators and said they visited Winter Place, one of West Virginia’s ski resorts, earlier this year with their four kids. Only Cara had skied before, and she said it was a great place for the rest of her family to learn. 

“It was exactly what we needed, we had someone that was there that taught us the basics, taught our kids the basics,” Jim told me. “It was a perfect place to have your first skiing experience in my mind.” 

How to get there and where to stay

The closest airport will depend on exactly where you’re going in the state, but for both of my trips to the New River Gorge, I flew into Charleston, the state capital of West Virginia. From there, it’s about an hour to an hour and a half drive to Fayetteville, which is a significant gateway to the Gorge’s outdoor recreation areas.

Lodging options in and around Fayetteville include campsites, cabin rentals, traditional hotels, B&Bs and more. Options are also available in Charleston for those looking for a more urban base camp for their travels.

Public transit options are limited, so visitors should plan to rent a car to get around.

The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia’s Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.