The peak of the Perseid meteor shower is fast approaching, and some of the best places in Texas to view this celestial phenomenon will be from Texas State Parks.
Several state parks are hosting events just before or during this year’s peak period, giving skywatchers a front-row seat to what many consider to be the best meteor shower of the year.
The Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 11-12, with good viewing conditions for a few days before and after the peak. According to NASA, if you look up at the sky in the pre-dawn hours, you’ll likely see an average of 50 to 100 meteors.
Whether you’re heading to a state park to watch this year’s Perseid meteor shower or not, you’ll want to be as far away as possible from city lights and other light pollution. The less light pollution there is, the more meteors you’ll be able to see. Also, consider that it takes your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid using flashlights (except red ones) and looking at your cell phone.
You don’t need a telescope or binoculars because you want to see as much of the sky as possible. Find a place with a wide view of the sky that’s unobstructed by trees or buildings, lie down on a blanket and look up at the sky.
Meteors can come from any direction, but a good general guide is to look north toward the constellation Perseus, which isn’t the easiest to find, but it conveniently stands out brightly behind the constellation Cassiopeia as it crosses the night sky.
Here’s the lowdown on all the events happening at Texas State Parks during this year’s Perseid meteor shower.
“Star Stories” at Lockhart State Park
On the evening of Friday, August 9, Lockhart State Park will host a storytelling program called “Star Stories,” where visitors of all ages can learn about the constellations in the night sky and even spot meteors. Visitors will learn how to identify constellations and hear stories of how different cultures came to recognize them.
Park staff and visitors meet at the park headquarters building and then walk down the cart path to the first fairway.
If the sky is too cloudy to identify the constellations (over 40% cloud cover), visitors will create a star chart instead.
Location: Lockhart State Park, 2012 State Park Road, Lockhart, TX 78644
Date and time: Friday, August 9th, 9pm to 10pm
Admission: “Star Stories” is free and included in park admission. Regular park admission is $3 per adult and free for children under 12. If the office is closed upon arrival, there is a self-pay station at park headquarters where visitors can check in to the park.
Registration: Not required.
Self-Guided Stargazing at Cooper State Park
Throughout most of August, visitors to Cooper State Park can get a self-guided star tour map that includes information on how to observe the Perseid meteor shower.
Both the Doctors Creek Unit and the South Sulphur Unit are participating in the event, and visitors can stop by either park headquarters to pick up a map.
Location: Cooper State Park, 95 Park Road 8154, Cooper, TX 75432 (Doctor’s Creek Unit) and 1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 (South Sulphur Unit).
Event period: Saturday, August 10th to Sunday, August 25th
Admission: Park programs are open to the public and are free with paid admission. Regular park admission is $5 per adult and free for children 12 and under.
Registration: Not required.
Meteor Shower Star Party at Choke Canyon State Park
Choke Canyon State Park will host a “Meteor Shower Star Party” on Saturday, August 10, where visitors can enjoy s’mores while observing the night sky through telescopes, including the Perseid meteor shower.
Park staff will provide two telescopes, but visitors can also bring their own.
The event is child and pet friendly and will be held at Choke Canyon State Park Recreation Complex in the Calliham area.
Location: Choke Canyon State Park Calliham Unit, 358 Recreation Road 8, Calliham, TX 78007
Date and time: Saturday, August 10th, 8pm to late night
Admission: The event is free with regular park admission, which is $5 per adult and free for children 12 and under.
REGISTER: To RSVP, email hannah.schulze@tpwd.texas.gov, message Choke Canyon State Park on Facebook, or RSVP on the Facebook event page.
Watching the Perseid meteor shower while camping at Fort Bogey State Park
Visitors staying overnight at Fort Bogey State Park on Saturday, Aug. 10, can gather at Sullivan Lake to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
Just bring a blanket and lie down under the stars while meteors shoot overhead.
Location: Fort Bogey State Park, 4994 Highway 75 South, Centerville, TX 75833
Date and time: Sunday, August 11th, 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Admission Fees: This event is only for visitors staying overnight at the park. Visitors who wish to participate must rent a cabin or primitive campsite. The program is free, but park admission is charged. Regular park admission is $3 per adult and free for children 12 and under.
Registration: To register for this program, visitors must fill out a registration form. Volunteer opportunities are also available. To register to volunteer, contact the park office by email:
“Poolside Perseid Meteor Shower” at Balmoria State Park
Visitors looking for a unique place to view the Perseid meteor shower can head to Balmoria State Park on Sunday, August 11 for Poolside Perseids, where they can watch the meteors reflected in the world’s largest spring-fed pool.
For safety reasons, swimming will not be permitted during the event, but there should be plenty of space to lay down a blanket and watch the skies.
Park staff will set up the telescopes and talk to you about what makes this astrological event so special as you watch the shooting stars overhead, or you can bring your own telescope or binoculars.
Location: Balmoria State Park, 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786
Date and time: Sunday, August 11th, 10:00pm to 11:30pm
Admission: There is no charge to enter the park. Standard park admission is $7 per adult and free for children 12 and under. If you arrive after 5pm, pay upon arrival at the self-pay kiosk at the main entrance of the headquarters building. Fill out an envelope, place cash in the yellow section and stick the white section on your car windshield.
Registration: Not required.
