Summary

• Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park offers an incredible view of meteor showers without light pollution. Don't fall asleep and miss the stunning show!
• Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park provides a perfect setting for watching stars and meteor showers after a fun day under the sun.
• Kirby Storter Roadside Park is a certified Dark Sky Park, offering a peaceful oasis for stargazing and observing cosmic wonders. Don't forget to explore the boardwalk and spot alligators.

Florida is known for its long coastline, making it a favorite destination for spring breakers and lovers of the beach. Thanks to the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, this tropical spot has endless sun-kissed memories, hence its nickname of Sunshine State.

Though often associated with activities related to basking under the sun, Florida is home to many parks where lovers of the night – the moon, the stars, and the cosmos – can have a good evening. The state is also adept for moonlit moments, boasting several prime spots for watching mesmerizing meteor showers. From dawn until dusk, Florida always shines.

UPDATE: 2023/08/20 17:49 EST BY NICHOLAS MAYAMBA

Best Places In Florida To Watch Meteor Showers

The Sunshine State is known for more than just it's night attractions. When the sun sets, budding astronomers gather to admire diamonds in the night sky. This refreshed list sheds lights on exquisite spots in Florida to watch meteor showers

Related: This Florida Key Is The Prettiest, With The Best Views

12 Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is away from major urban centers, so lovers of the cosmos can enjoy a night where they can experience the wonders of the skies. Absent light pollution, this Florida charmer’s dark sky will wow those eager to watch meteor showers. The park is home to an expansive grassland, the perfect seat – or bed, for that matter – while stargazing, identifying constellations, and making a wish when meteor showers start their show. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park’s display of moonlit wonders is so relaxing that tourists should fight the urge to sleep – lest they miss the show.

• Campsite rates: $16 per night, plus a $7 utility fee

Call ahead to book a designated astronomy pad site and enjoy watching from the best seats in the house.

Related: Visit Lake Okeechobee: The Giant Lake Of The Everglades

11 Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park

The barrier island of St. George is home to a state park where recreational lovers will have a fun time under the sun – however cliche it is because sun-kissed memories are a lifestyle in this Florida charmer. Tourists should imagine this: while watching the sunset by the shore, the stars will slowly dot the skies, with the moon shining its light over the gulf waters. There’s also a dedicated platform for stargazing and meteor shower shows, perfect for those who want to take snaps of the shining, shimmering, splendid cosmos.

• Camping rates: $24 per night, plus a $7 utility fee

10 Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key is big on wildlife, but it’s not the only thing that thrives on this island. When the birds leave the shore and the deer go home, silence will envelop the place. It is a sign of good things to come – a mesmerizing display of meteor showers. The sky in this Florida Panhandle destination boasts an annual show of 120 shooting stars per hour, making it popular among stargazers. Come February; southern constellations can also be enjoyed. The stars aligned over Big Pine Key.

• Camping rates: $10 per night

9 Kirby Storter Roadside Park

Its location within the lush Big Cypress National Reserve makes Kirby Storter Roadside Park an oasis inside an oasis. This Florida spot is a certified Dark Sky Park, and that credential alone is enough to entice those who want to observe stars and meteor showers. Before the show, however, tourists are encouraged to explore the park by strolling along the one-mile boardwalk trail that will take them to cypress and alligator spots. Afterward, it’s time for a majestic presentation of cosmic wonders.

• Annual pass: $80

Don't forget to explore the Kirby Storter boardwalk. It leads to the gator hole, which hosts a rich wildlife ecosystem. If lucky, guests will catch a glimpse of an alligator or two.

8 Fox Observatory

There’s a city in Florida named Sunrise and though it exudes sunshine, it also offers nighttime fun. After all, it is located by the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, where Mother Nature will accompany those who want to enjoy cosmic shows. To do so, tourists can head to Fox Astronomical Observatory in Markham Park. It is known for stargazing escapades that last until sunrise, perfect for viewing the Geminid meteor shower. Thanks to its reliable equipment, those who want to appreciate the Milky Way will always have inspiring moments.

Fox Observatory opens its doors to the public every Saturday night and charges no access fees.

7 Chiefland Astronomy Village

The city of Chiefland is known for the nearby Manatee Springs State Park, with its crystal clear waters allowing tourists to observe manatees. If visitors want to extend their stay in this Florida destination, they might as well head to Chiefland Astronomy Village, often flocked by stargazers with giant telescopes. It is run by non-professional astronomers who invite the public to a dark sky experience that lets them appreciate the universe and its residents – not necessarily extra-terrestrials but celestial bodies.

• Camping rates: $15 per night

Related: Swim With Manatees And More On This Crystal River Cruise In Florida

6 Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park

Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park is one big Waterworld because it’s only accessible by boat. Located in the town of Inglis, this stargazing destination entices astronomy lovers to break a sweat through paddling before hitting the shore for a relaxing bonding moment with the galaxy. The park is popular among paddlers who want to observe the critters of the marshland and fishers who want to score a good one. But really, there’s no need to set bait, throw a line, and reel in a catch if the real jackpot is out there in the universe – the meteor showers and their spectacular show.

• Camping rates: free

For the best of both worlds, try stargazing while paddling in the secluded marshes of Waccasassa Bay park.

5 Cedar Key

Cedar Key might as well be called the city that never sleeps because, like in other Florida towns, this destination is as vibrant in the evening as in the morning. When the sun bids farewell, the waters surrounding this string of islands act like a chorus to a grand display of shining stars in the sky. Just as tourists start to be mesmerized by such beauty, the meteor showers will appear, adding charm to the already good evening. Thanks to the dark skies of Cedar Key, astronomy buffs always have a home in Florida.

At the Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve, stargazers can access over 5000 acres of space to skywatch at no charge.

4 Fakahatchee Strand Preserve

The swamps of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve attract wildlife observers, but its sky also has that unique beauty that aims to inspire. When chasing meteor showers, this Florida charmer is more than adept at being a good host. Its dark sky complements the quiet of the Everglades; it’s like experiencing an entirely different world as meteor showers, stars, or comets say hi to their observers. The cosmos is so far, but in Fakahatchee, it’s always within grasp. The universe is saying something: there’s more to discover in Florida than its waters.

• Rates: $3 per vehicle

3 Sebastian Inlet State Park

Those who want to be by the beach when watching meteor showers should place their mats on the shores of Sebastian Inlet State Park. This recreational haven is not just frequented by sun worshippers but also by lovers of the dark. When the moon announces its arrival with meteor showers, stars, or maybe comets, the park is like a planetarium that takes observers to the world beyond Earth. As tourists observe the cosmos, the sound of the crashing waves will relax them further, thinking that the stars shine for them.

• Camping rates: $28 per night, plus a $7 utility fee

2 Bahia Honda State Park

Located about 100 miles from Miami, Bahia Honda State Park is one of the best spots to catch the Southern Cross constellation. This Florida Keys Park is a prime spot for stargazers, where campers and other overnight visitors converge to partake in their favorite pastime. The Old Bahia Honda bridge is a popular section of the park where guests can take in the night scene while enjoying a lazy, secluded stroll under the night sky.

• Camping rates: $36 per night, plus a $7 utility fee

The Big Pine Key, where Bahia Honda State Park is found, offers countless stargazing opportunities, including the beaches for those with a penchant for coastal destinations.

1 Shell Mound Campground

Sitting about a 2.5-hour drive from Orlando, Shell Mound Campground is a sweet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a magnificent site to enjoy meteor showers. It is shielded from urban light pollution, promising pitch-dark nights ideal for stargazing. The venue also houses a small dock where visitors can fish, kayak, and paddleboard while waiting for the night hours to take their place for a spectacular show in the dark.

• Camping rates: $20-$30 per night

No reservations are required before staying at Shell Mound Campground.