This Week: Lyrids Peak April 21–22
The Lyrid meteor shower is active right now and peaks Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A thin crescent moon sets early, leaving dark skies after midnight. Head to John Glenn Astronomy Park or any open clearing for the best view. Expect 15–18 meteors per hour.
Dark Sky Viewing Spots for Hikers
Meteor watching doesn't require a telescope — just dark skies, a wide view overhead, and somewhere comfortable to lie back. Most Hocking Hills trails wind through deep gorges and heavy canopy, which is stunning during the day but blocks the sky at night. The trick is finding open clearings, ridgetop meadows, and purpose-built viewing sites. Here are the best options.
John Glenn Astronomy Park
This is the gold standard. An open meadow with a full 360-degree sky view, no light pollution, and a 28-inch telescope in a roll-off observatory. Located one mile west of Old Man's Cave on Route 664, JGAP was designed specifically for public stargazing. For meteor showers, skip the telescope — just bring a blanket, lie back, and let your eyes adjust. The park hosts guided programs on clear Friday and Saturday nights from March through November, but it's open for independent viewing any time. No camping or open flames. Parking passes are free but required for program nights.
Lake Logan State Park — North Shore
The picnic areas and parking lots along Lake Logan's north shore provide wide-open views to the south and east — particularly good for showers with low radiants like the Eta Aquariids and Leonids. The 400-acre lake reflects almost no ambient light, and the surrounding hills block light pollution from Logan to the north. Best for summer and early fall showers when the park is accessible later in the evening. Check seasonal hours before planning a late visit.
Hocking Hills State Park — Campground Fields
The state park campground near Old Man's Cave has open field areas between loops that provide decent sky exposure. You won't get the full 360-degree view that JGAP offers — tree lines limit the horizon — but the convenience of stumbling back to your tent is hard to beat. The outer loop campsites tend to be darker and closer to open sky. If you're already camping, this is a no-effort way to catch a meteor shower.
Conkle's Hollow Rim Trail Ridgetop
The rim trail at Conkle's Hollow is recognized as an observing site by the Columbus Astronomical Society for good reason — the ridgetop clearings above the gorge provide excellent sky views with minimal light interference. However, the preserve is officially closed after dark, so nighttime access requires a special permit. During dusk hours and early-evening showers like the Draconids (which peak before midnight), you may catch early activity before closing time. Contact the park office about special access for astronomical events.
2026 Meteor Shower Calendar
Here's every major shower from now through year-end, with conditions rated for Hocking Hills. For full details on each shower — ZHR rates, parent comets, and viewing strategies — see the complete 2026 Meteor Shower Guide on HockingHillsOhio.org.
Seasonal Gear for Night Viewing
What you bring depends entirely on when you go. The Perseids in August and the Geminids in December are polar opposite experiences from a comfort standpoint. Here's what to pack for each season.
Pack by Season
Insulated ground pad, warm fleece or down jacket, hat and gloves (still drops to 40°F at night), thermos of coffee or tea. Bug spray not yet needed.
Lightweight blanket or yoga mat, bug spray (essential), light long sleeves and pants. Hydration. Warm nights mean comfort — the easiest season for meteor watching.
Insulated sleeping pad, warm layers, beanie, hand warmers. Temps drop fast after sunset — 30s and 40s are common. Thermos of hot cocoa.
Sleeping bag rated to 20°F, insulated ground pad, thermal base layers, heavy jacket, balaclava, chemical hand/toe warmers. Non-negotiable: do not underestimate December cold when lying still for an hour.
Always bring: Red headlamp or phone with red-light mode (white light kills your night vision for 20+ minutes), reclining camp chair or blanket, snacks, and patience. No telescope needed — your eyes see more sky than any scope for meteor watching.
Night Hiking Safety in Hocking Hills
Stick to established roads and paths. Hocking Hills trails feature cliff edges, uneven sandstone, and steep drop-offs that are dangerous in daylight — they're genuinely hazardous in the dark. The trails to John Glenn Astronomy Park are paved, but gorge trails like Old Man's Cave and Conkle's Hollow are not designed for nighttime use.
Drive carefully on Route 664. Deer are extremely active at dawn and dusk — the same hours you'll be traveling to and from viewing spots. Take the curves slow, especially in fall.
Tell someone where you're going. If you're heading to JGAP or Lake Logan alone at 2 AM for the Perseids, let a friend or cabin host know your plan.
Check the weather forecast. Ohio weather shifts fast. Clear skies at sunset can turn to overcast by midnight. The NOAA hour-by-hour forecast for Logan, OH is the most reliable source — check cloud cover predictions before heading out.
The Bottom Line
Hocking Hills is one of the best spots in Ohio for meteor watching — the dark skies, open meadows, and purpose-built facilities at John Glenn Astronomy Park make it easy. In 2026, the Perseids in August and Geminids in December both align with near-perfect moon conditions, so plan a trip around one (or both). The Lyrids are peaking this week with good conditions — get out there tonight.