The Geminids peak December 13 and 14 under a thin crescent moon, and two West Coast dark-sky stops make the most of it
If you only chase one meteor shower this winter, make it this one. The Geminids are the busiest of the year, and when they peak the night of December 13 to 14, the moon will be a thin waxing crescent that sets in the evening and leaves the rest of the night dark.
Under ideal skies the rate tops out around 120 meteors an hour. Even on an ordinary dark night near the peak, 50 or more an hour is a reasonable expectation. Not bad for a show that costs nothing and needs no telescope.
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When to look up
The radiant, the spot in Gemini where the meteors seem to start, rises in the east in mid-evening, so you can watch all night. The sweet spot is around 2 a.m. local time, when it climbs highest.
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My plain opinion: skip the evening and set an alarm. Meteors are easy to spot with your eyes alone, and a reclining chair beats any gadget you could bring.
Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park, and the park service names four parking lots as designated stargazing areas: Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. The rule is to stay within 20 feet of your vehicle, which is easier to follow than it sounds once the cold sets in.
Want the darkest option? The park says Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies, and the stretch of Pinto Basin Road between Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood has the least traffic. If you’re still planning the rest of the trip, our Joshua Tree guide covers the daytime stops.
Desert nights drop cold fast, so dress warmly and bring water, since most of the park has no running water. Use a red light instead of a white flashlight or your phone, and watch your step, because cacti are hard to see in the dark. Light painting isn’t allowed.
Goldendale Observatory, Washington
Prefer a Pacific Northwest night? Goldendale Observatory State Park, in the hills above the Columbia River, runs winter public programs from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and December 13 falls on a Sunday. Live telescope views are offered weather permitting.
The catch: reservations are required to enter the visitor center, observatory, or programs, and unscheduled visitors are turned away. They’re free and booked through the park’s online calendar, so grab a slot early. Programs wrap up at 10 p.m., well before the 2 a.m. peak, so think of it as a warm-up round.
A burn ban is in effect and fires aren’t permitted at any time, so pack a thermos instead. You can read the current details on the Washington State Parks page.
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Which dark sky are you picking, the desert or the Columbia Hills? Tell us where you’re headed in the comments.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
