The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best times to see meteors shoot across the sky with the naked eye every August. Some years, you can see more than 100 meteors an hour. This year, the number will be lower – about 25-50 meteors an hour – because the moon will be bright during the show. The meteor shower is popular for stargazers, both because it’s easy to spot the meteors by just looking at the sky, and because these meteors often leave long trails or even fireballs in their wake.
The meteors are the result of the Earth passing through the debris trail left by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
The peak dates for viewing the Perseid meteor shower 2025 are from August 11-13. Traveling by RV is an excellent way to view the meteors, because you have flexibility. You can move to another location if you notice that your chosen spot will be cloudy on the day of the meteors. You also have flexibility when you arrive. Rather than having to show up in the middle of the night to search the skies, you can nap or occupy yourself around your RV. Emerge to watch the shower, and then head straight to bed instead of having to drive home. An RV also gives you plenty of room if you want to bring along a telescope or amateur photography equipment. You’ll have space to make meals, and a convenient bathroom if you need one.
When and Where to See the Perseid Meteor Shower in 2025
The Perseid Meteor Shower 2025 will happen all across the U.S., but there are places where viewing will be better. For the best chance at seeing meteors, you’ll want to be away from cities and other sources of light pollution. The moon will be 84-86% illuminated, so some of the fainter meteor streaks won’t be visible even with less manmade light.
You’ll also want an area with clear skies so the meteors aren’t covered by clouds.
Here are the best times to view the meteor shower, depending on where you are in the country:
| U.S. Time Zone | Perseids Peak Window (Aug 12-13) | Why It’s Best |
| Eastern | 01:00 – 05:00 a.m. EDT | Radiant nearly overhead; waning gibbous Moon has sunk <10° above W horizon |
| Central | 00:00 – 04:00 a.m. CDT | Same geometry one hour earlier locally |
| Mountain | 11:00 p.m. – 03:00 a.m. MDT | Moon sets shortly after 03:00; darkest sky just before dawn |
| Pacific | 10:00 p.m. – 02:00 a.m. PDT | Radiant climbs to zenith after midnight; Moon gone by 02:30 |
Areas in the U.S. like deserts and the Great Plains tend to have clear skies in August. It’s generally best to stay away from the coasts, where fog can roll in and obscure the show. Mountain regions can also be home to summer thunderstorms, making clear skies unpredictable. Some general areas to consider camping during the meteor shower include:
- Great Basin & the Interior West (Nevada, Utah, and the Idaho high desert)
- Northern & Central High Plains (Wyoming through Kansas and surrounding areas)
- Pacific Northwest interior (Spokane, Boise, and other inland cities)
- Desert Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas)
- Upper Great Lakes & Adirondacks
- Southeast & Gulf Coast – higher humidity makes this the cloudiest possibility on this list, but try watching after midnight if you can’t get to the other regions
Top Places to Watch the Perseids in 2025 in the U.S.
Taking those areas as a guide, here are some more specific locations where you can camp and watch the Perseid meteor shower 2025. Many of them are remote, which gets you away from lights and possibly some crowds as well. They’re also well-suited for camping, and for a variety of outdoor adventures during the day before the big nighttime show.
- Great Basin National Park (Nevada) – The park is at 7,000 feet in elevation and is known for having clear desert air. It’s a certified International Dark Sky Park and isn’t near any big cities, so there’s almost no light pollution. The park also has astronomy programs all summer long and is a well-known spot for stargazing.
- Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve (Stanley – Ketchum, Idaho) – This is the only Gold Tier Reserve in the U.S., meaning it still shows near-natural night skies. During the day, you’ll get sweeping views of the Sawtooth Mountains, and you can go hiking, boating, mountain biking, and enjoy lots of outdoor activities before the nighttime show.
- Steens Mountain (Eastern Oregon) – The Steens Mountain Wilderness is a popular spot in southeastern Oregon for outdoor activities. It’s away from the coast, so night skies are less likely to be obscured by clouds, and there aren’t big cities nearby to interfere with the darkness.
- Big Bend National Park (Texas) – Big Bend has the darkest measured skies in the Lower 48. The park’s vast horizons also make it possible to follow meteor paths across the wide open sky.
- Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania) – This state park is one of the best dark-sky fields in the East. The park has an astronomy field with 360° sight lines and regular public programs at night.
- Baxter State Park (North Woods, Maine) – There are several campgrounds at the park, and you can watch for meteors with the silhouette of Mount Katahdin in the background. The Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is also a great option for meteor watching – it’s an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
How to Pick the Best Spot for Meteor Shower Viewing Near You
If you want meteor shower viewing near you, you’ll want to consider a few things when you plan. Here’s how to pick the best spot to increase your chances of seeing shooting stars.
Dark Sky Areas
Look for designated dark sky areas. Several U.S. national and state parks are certified International Dark Sky parks, which means you won’t get much ambient light. You can also look for an area’s rating on the Bortle scale. The Bortle scale was developed by amateur astronomer John Bortle, and it ranks the light pollution in an area. The darkest skies get a 1 rating, while the brightest urban skies get a 9.
Light Pollution Maps
You can also find light pollution maps online to help you see how much light a region is getting. DarkSiteFinder has a light pollution map you can use to find less-illuminated places. This light pollution map is also a very helpful resource.
Go High
To decrease your chances of light interference, you’ll want avoid the lights of the city. You can also increase your chances of seeing meteors if you head to higher elevations. Check the weather report, because some mountainous areas are prone to thunderstorms. But if the forecast is clear, being up high gives you a better overall view.
Astronomy Weather Sites
If you’re looking for forecasts to help you determine if your site will be clear, try an astronomy-focused weather site like ClearDarkSky.com. It has forecasts used by observatories and other astronomers, and there are helpful instructions for how to read the charts. You can also consult astrospheric.com or use an app like Clear Outside or Sky Guide.
Why Traveling— Even Just a Few Hours — Improves Your Meteor Shower Experience
The best way to see a meteor shower is often to travel, even a short distance, from home. Lots of us live in or near large cities or suburbs, and a two-hour drive can get us out to the mountains, or the plains, or to other less lit-up areas.
Camping in an RV, trailer, or campervan gives you even more flexibility. You can drive until you find an area that’s suitable for meteor-viewing. Then, you simply need to find a nearby campground or boondocking area where you can set up. This is especially convenient considering that most of the prime viewing times are in the middle of the night. Take a nap beforehand, wake up for the meteor shower, and head back to bed without needing to drive several hours home at night.
The Perseid meteor shower 2025 is one of those awe-inspiring celestial events that remind us we are a small part of a vast universe. Watching the meteors means we can gaze at the amazing expanse of space at night. During the day, we can gaze at amazing mountains, deserts, plains, and other natural wonders.
You don’t need fancy gear to watch the Perseid meteor shower. You just need a good spot with clear skies and the time to sit and watch the stars. Taking an RV to see the meteors gives you the flexibility to take a nap or move locations if you want.
If you don’t have an RV, you can rent one on RVshare for your meteor journey! From spacious Class A motorhomes to tiny pop-up campers, you’re sure to find one that suits your group.