One of the most awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping memories you can make is when you gaze up at the stars during a camping trip. So what are you waiting for? Grab your stargazing tent and book that campsite! With this handy 2024 stargazing calendar, we break down all the special constellations, meteor showers and camping stargazing events best seen under the dark skies of a new moon, as well as exact dates when you can enjoy a full moon for camping under the magical moonlight.

Camping Stargazing Events

January

January 3-4 | Quadrantids Meteor Shower

Caused by the 2003 EH1 extinct comet, this annual meteor shower will peak, raining down up to 40 meteors per hour. Look to the Bootes constellation.

January 25 | Comet Kushida

Comet Kushida (144P) makes a round every 7.6 years. It passed by pretty close on December 12th, 2023, but makes its spectacle visible on January 25th, 2024 just after dusk as it reaches its perihelion (the point closest to the sun). Grab binoculars or a telescope for this one!

January 27 | Mars, Venus & Mercury Alignment

Beat the sunrise to catch Mars and Mercury with the naked eye, positioned over the southeastern horizon in the Northern hemisphere.

February

February 14 | PanSTARRS Comet

The C/2021 S3 comet soars by the sun, reaching its perihelion on Valentine's Day. So take your S.O. or yourself out for a show 2 hours before dawn.

March

March 25 | Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Expect the moon to pass through part of the Earth’s shadow, giving it a darkened look. Penumbral means partial shadow.

April

April 8–15 | International Dark Sky Week

April is Global Astronomy Month and along with it, International Dark Sky Week. So turn off your lighting and appreciate the grandeur of the night sky as it was meant to be seen.

April 8 | The Great North American Solar Eclipse

Kicking off dark sky week is this magnificent total solar eclipse. Check its line of visibility, which spans the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Better catch it because the next one isn’t until 2045. Make sure to learn about eclipse safety tips!

April 22–23 | Lyrid Meteor Shower

The Lyrid Meteor Shower is considered average this year, reaching 20 meteors per hour, but still worth noting. Even if the April 24th full moon prevents a dark sky setup, it's worth a catch.

May

May 6-7 | Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower

The Eta Aquarids typically produce anywhere from 45 to 85 meteors per hour, coming down at lightning speed. Last year’s full moon prevented an optimal viewing, but in 2024, you're in luck! This meteor shower peaks the night of May 6th and continues into the morning of May 7th with a new moon for darker skies and a clearer view.

June

June 6 | New Moon

In early June, you can catch a dark sky opportunity with a new moon.

July

July 28 - 29 | Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Producing up to 20 meteors per hour at peak, the Delta Aquarids are up against a second quarter moon this year, marking them as an average viewing. But if you camp near dark skies, there's still a good chance you can spot a few after midnight.

August

August 12 and 13 | Perseid Meteor Shower

The 2024 Perseid Meteor Shower is not to be missed! This always popular shower brings in up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak when Earth shifts into the comet Swift-Tuttle and this year offers a spectacular show. Catch it after midnight after the moon sets for the best viewing experience.

September

September 5 | Mercury at Its Highest Point

The best time to view planet Mercury in 2024. Look for Mercury just above the horizon in the eastern sky, early morning before sunrise.

September 8 | Saturn at Opposition

Saturn approaches close to Earth. During this time, it will be fully illuminated by the Sun, making it easy to catch a view of at night. Grab a telescope to see its rings and moons.

September 18 | Partial Lunar Eclipse

Another penumbra stargazing event for 2024, this partial lunar eclipse is visible throughout most of North America and many other places.

October

October 7 | Draconid Meteor Shower

While not a particularly special stargazing event of 2024, a second quarter moon still allows stargazers to witness the annual-occuring Draconids fairly nicely in the early evening hours. This minor shower typically produces 10 meteors per hour, with the rare burst of hundreds per hour if you're lucky.

October 21 - 22 | Orionids Meteor Shower

Get up early to catch the Orionids, falling at a rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. Like the Eta Aquarids, this meteor shower comes from the Halley comet. A waning gibbous moon might diminish viewing but give it time to set and take in a shooting star or two after midnight.

November

November 4 - 5 | Taurids Meteor Shower

Considered a minor shower, the Taurid meteor shower peaks around this time of year. While they peak at only roughly 5-10 per hour, these larger meteors pack a punch with their size and brilliant fireball display. Sadly, the first quarter moon tames down the 2024 Taurids.

November 17 - 18 | Leonids Meteor Shower

The Leonids Meteor Shower only comes around every 33 years (the last was 2001), so even with a near full moon present, one could argue that it's worth the effort to see. Expect to see 15 meteors per hour.

December

December 13 - 14 | Geminid Meteor Shower

Raining through the skies at a speed 40x faster than a bullet, the Geminids come in at 120 meteors per hour and are a must-see shower to round out 2024. Even with a near full moon, you’ll see a streak or two of these multicolored meteors — just have some patience around the morning of the 14th.

Full Moons and Supermoons of 2024

While full moons are not ideal for stargazing, they still offer a wonderful illumination for family camping trips and night adventures like hiking and more. Here is a list of the most beautiful and brightest 2024 full moons and supermoons to align with your camping weekend and calendar.

• January 25th Wolf Moon
• February 24th Snow Moon
• March 25th Worm Moon
• April 23rd Pink Moon
• May 23rd Flower Moon
• June 22nd Strawberry Moon
• July 21st Buck Moon
• August 19th Sturgeon Moon / Blue Supermoon6
• September 18th Harvest Supermoon
• October 17th Hunters Supermoon
• November 15th Beaver Supermoon
• December 15th Cold Moon

Stellar Stargazing Campsites

Looking for a campsite with vast open skies to take in the beautiful stars, full moon, and camping stargazing events of 2024? Check out some of our favorite campsites and even stay in one of our stargazing tents.

Head to Utah for the most breathtaking night skies and book a stay at the Off Grid Stargazing Tent to make the most of your glamping experience.

Book a Hawaiian vacation at The Haven at Hawi Nani, located on the beautiful Kohala Coast with white sand beaches.

Sandpoint’s Boho Bell Tent on Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho offers a waterfront campsite perfect for daytime kayaking and nighttime stargazing.

Remember! The best places to go stargazing are ones situated far away from light pollution. Discover more areas to camp using a Dark Sky map.