Watch the Meteor Showers

Some of the Darkest Skies in Virginia

Highland Hideaways sits in Grayson County, right at the edge of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Grayson Highlands State Park — high-elevation, sparsely populated country with almost none of the light pollution that washes out the sky in cities and suburbs. On a clear, moonless night here, the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye from your cabin porch, and it's one of the best stretches of the Blue Ridge for watching meteor showers.

No telescope, binoculars, or special equipment needed — just your eyes, a little patience, and (ideally) a blanket or reclining chair. Below are the major annual meteor showers, roughly in order through the year, so you can plan a visit around one.

This Year's Meteor Showers

Peak dates shift by about a day from year to year — double-check the exact date and moon phase as it gets closer.
Shower	Peak Night(s)	Rate (per hr)	Radiant	Parent Body
Quadrantids	Jan 3–4	~110	Boötes (NE sky)	Asteroid 2003 EH1
Lyrids	Apr 21–22	~18	Lyra (E sky)	Comet Thatcher
Eta Aquariids	May 5–6	~30–50	Aquarius (SE, pre-dawn)	Comet Halley
Southern Delta Aquariids	Jul 29–30	~25	Aquarius (S sky)	Comet 96P/Machholz (suspected)
Perseids	Aug 12–13	~100	Perseus (NE sky)	Comet Swift–Tuttle
Draconids	Oct 8–9	~10 (occasional outbursts)	Draco (NW, evening)	Comet Giacobini–Zinner
Southern Taurids	Oct 10–11	~5 (slow, bright fireballs)	Taurus	Comet Encke
Orionids	Oct 21–22	~20	Orion (pre-dawn)	Comet Halley
Northern Taurids	Nov 12	~5 (slow, bright fireballs)	Taurus	Asteroid 2004 TG10
Leonids	Nov 17–18	~15	Leo (pre-dawn)	Comet Tempel–Tuttle
Geminids	Dec 13–14	~120 (the year's best)	Gemini	Asteroid 3200 Phaethon
Ursids	Dec 21–22	~10	Ursa Minor (N sky)	Comet Tuttle

Coming up next: the Perseids, peaking the night of August 12–13.

The Perseids are the most popular shower of the year for good reason — fast, bright meteors at a strong rate, arriving during warm summer nights that are easy to sit out for. If you're staying with us in early-to-mid August, this is the one to plan an evening around.

Tips for the Best View

Get away from cabin porch lights and let your eyes adjust to the dark for 20–30 minutes — resist checking your phone, it resets your night vision.

Meteors are visible in any part of the sky, not just near the radiant — lie back and take in as much sky as possible rather than staring at one spot.

The best viewing is usually after midnight and before dawn, once the radiant has climbed higher in the sky.

Check the moon phase before you head out — a bright moon near full will wash out all but the brightest meteors.

Clear, cloudless nights are essential — check the forecast for the evening you're planning to watch.

Bring a blanket, a reclining chair, and warm layers — even summer nights cool off fast at elevation.

Book a cabin, step out onto the porch after dark, and let Grayson County's sky do the rest.

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