Where to See the Perseids Meteor Shower Around Puget Sound

Editor's note: Some star parties and organized public viewing events described in this article remain suspended for 2022, but many are happening and you can still try to catch a glimpse of the Perseids with your fam. Be sure to check an event's website before heading out. Good luck!

One summer while camping at Mount Rainier National Park, my two children and I went up to Paradise to catch the sunset and look at the stars. We were pleasantly surprised to find park rangers and volunteers setting up for an evening of stargazing with telescopes. We hung around until almost midnight, taking turns with other park visitors looking through large telescopes at distant stars, planets and even other galaxies. My kids were entranced.

A star party at Mount Rainier is just one of the stellar opportunities around Puget Sound to learn about the night sky during the summer. And one of the peak stargazing events of the year is approaching: The Perseid meteor showers, which you can view from Puget Sound urban areas, will peak the night between Aug. 11–12, 2022. The Perseids produce the most star trails after midnight.

The Perseids happen when the earth travels through the debris of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Families can also enjoy watching for the International Space Station as it passes overhead. And the aurora borealis sometimes makes an appearance — keep track on spaceweather.com for possible magnetic storms.

Stargazing in the city

Dark and cloudless skies are required for stargazing, which makes Seattle and other urban areas less than ideal. But for families just starting out, there are still some urban spots dark enough to lay your blanket out and see the night sky.

Alice Enevoldsen, a local expert on astronomy and education, recommends several different sites in the city for urban stargazing, including Myrtle Reservoir, Lincoln Park and Solstice Park in West Seattle.

Green Lake is also a popular stargazing site, as it is one of the few city parks open after 11:30 p.m. The Seattle Astronomical Society periodically hosts star parties at Green Lake, as well as at Paramount School Park in Shoreline, weather permitting. Members of the Society bring telescopes for the general public to use, and enjoy sharing astronomical facts with people of all ages.

In the South Sound, the Tacoma Astronomical Society also hosts star parties for the public at Pierce College. Battle Point Astronomical Association has public star parties and indoor planetarium shows on Bainbridge Island. If you’re headed to the Tri-Cities, the Tri-City Astronomy Club hosts public star parties from March through October.

Brie Hawkins, a local weather enthusiast and photographer, recommends Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo for urban stargazing. Some of her favorite spots away from the city include the Diablo Lake and Washington Pass overlooks along Highway 20 in the North Cascades. These places are open at night and have toilets available. You can find camping at Newhalem or Colonial Creek near Diablo Lake or Lone Fir, Klipchuck or Early Winters campgrounds near Washington Pass.

A quick, accessible spot outside the city but not far, especially from Eastside locales, is Rattlesnake Lake in North Bend (park outside the gate so your car doesn’t get locked inside after they close).

Starry camping and backpacking

Getting further away from the city, of course, will earn you more Perseids action. One of Enevoldsen’s favorite spots is the boat dock at Lake Kachess along I-90, and Staircase Campground in Olympic National Park. (If you’re not staying overnight at the campground, talk to the ranger to get permission to be there.)

For families who are looking for more adventure, consider attending an event at one of our national parks or monuments. The Olympia Astronomical Society (OAS) occasionally hosts star parties and night hikes at Hurricane Ridge. Check the OAS website for future events.

Paradise on Mount Rainier hosts summer sky gazing events and some daytime solar viewing. The Mount St. Helens Institute sponsors star parties on occasion.

Families who enjoy backpacking will find even more places to be away from city lights. Child-friendly backpacking trips with open skies include Shadow Lake at Mount Rainier and Lake Ann in the North Cascades.

Other popular camping and photography areas include Tipsoo Lake near Mount Rainier, Slate Peak out of Mazama, Salmon La Sac and the surrounding camping areas and Sun Lakes – Dry Falls State Park in Central Washington. 

Editor's note: This article was originally published several years ago and updated most recently for 2022.