2025 astrotourism: Time your camping trips around these celestial events

Stargazing from your campsite is often best during a new moon. The darker sky makes more stars visible. 

I’m always delighted when we happen to camp during a full moon. At night, the campfire blazing, I alternate between gazing into the flickering flames and up at the big, bright moon.

I’m able to clear my head and just be.

Which got me thinking, if I like full moon camping so much, why leave it to chance? Why not plan a camping trip to coincide with the full moon?

Which also led me to wonder about other celestial events to plan a camping trip around. Our friends have camped for meteor showers in the past.

And, millions of people travel to see eclipses. Including the total solar eclipse on April 8 this year.

(We seriously underestimated the traffic that would bring to rural Missouri. We arrived at our eclipse party just before totality. Whew!)

Astrotourism in 2025

Clearly, traveling for celestial events is a thing. A big thing. It even has its own category in the travel industry: astrotourism.

Astrotourism is exactly as it sounds — traveling to view astronomical events. From the moon and stars to eclipses and meteor showers.

If you’d like to give it a try, or if you’re already hip to the trend, this blog rounds up all of the significant astrotourism events in the U.S. for 2025. And, then some.

Take a look and get to planning your astrotourism or celestial camping trips for next year.

Full moon camping in 2025

Luckily for us, full moons occur every month. That means there are plenty of opportunities to plan a full moon camping trip — 12, in fact.

A full moon is the perfect time for a camping trip if you enjoy moon gazing. Or, perhaps a night hike since there’s more natural light in the sky.

Even better, 2025 will bring us three supermoons — in October, November and December.

Two conditions have to be in place to create a supermoon:

1. The moon has to be full, of course.

2. The moon has to be at the point in its orbit when it’s closet to Earth.

The result? Pure magic. More specifically, a moon that’s bigger and brighter than other full moons.

Here’s when to camp in 2025 to enjoy a full moon or supermoon:

• Wolf moon: Mon, Jan 13

• Snow moon: Wed, Feb 12

• Worm moon: Fri, Mar 14

• Pink moon: Sat, Apr 12

• Flower moon: Mon, May 12

• Strawberry moon: Wed, Jun 11

• Buck moon: Thu, Jul 10

• Sturgeon moon: Sat, Aug 9

• Harvest moon: Sun, Sep 7

• Hunter’s moon: Tue, Oct 6 — supermoon

• Beaver moon: Wed, Nov 5 — supermoon

• Cold moon: Thu, Dec 4 — supermoon

New moon camping in 2025

The sky is darker when only a sliver of the moon is lit. A darker sky, such as during a new moon, often makes for better stargazing.

You might prefer to camp during a new moon. The sky is darker, meaning some of the dimmer stars are easier to see.

So, if stargazing is your thing, plan a camping trip in 2025 during a new moon.

Here’s when they’ll occur each month:

• Wed, Jan 29

• Thu, Feb 27

• Sat, Mar 29

• Sun, Apr 27

• Mon, May 26

• Wed, Jun 25

• Thu, Jul 24

• Sat, Aug 23

• Sun, Sep 21

• Mon, Oct 20

• Thu, Nov 20

• Fri, Dec 19

Equinox and solstice camping in 2025

If you look forward to the changing seasons, you might want to plan an equinox or solstice camping trip in 2025. Being in nature is a great way to welcome the new season, after all.

Celebrating the winter solstice with a camping trip can be peaceful and serene. 

And, you can plan your camping menu around seasonal flavors and foods.

The equinoxes mark the start of spring and fall. It’s a time when the length of day and night are equal.

The solstices occur on the first days of summer and winter.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, with the most daylight hours. The days start getting shorter following the summer solstice.

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the fewest daylight hours. The days start getting longer following the winter solstice.

Here are the equinox and solstice dates in the northern hemisphere for 2025:

• Vernal equinox
  Thu, Mar 20 — first day of spring

• Summer solstice
  Fri, Jun 20 — first day of summer

• Autumnal equinox
  Mon, Sep 22 — first day of fall

• Winter solstice
  Sun, Dec 21 — first day of winter

Eclipse camping in 2025

Eclipse tourism in the U.S. in 2025 likely won’t reach the hysteria of this April, when we saw a total solar eclipse — and the major traffic jams that came with it.

But, the year will bring a total lunar and a partial solar event for the eclipse chasers out there. Both occur in March.

Total lunar eclipse
Thu, Mar 13 - Fri, Mar 14

• Best place to view
  From any state, so long as the sky is clear. No need to seek out a dark sky location, unless you just want to.

• Duration
  Totality will last for around an hour. In Missouri, it’s from about 1:26 to 2:31 am Central on Mar 14.

• Special equipment
  Not needed, but, obvi, a telescope would greatly improve your view.

• Expect to see
  The full moon take on a reddish or orangish hue.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun. The 2025 solar eclipse will be partial, meaning the moon won’t fully cover the sun.

Partial solar eclipse
Sat, Mar 29

• Best place to view
  Maine

• Next best places to view
  New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.

• Duration
  About an hour. In Maine, it’s from about 6:13 to 7:17 am Eastern.

• Special equipment
  Only view with eclipse glasses.

• Expect to see
  The sun take on a crescent shape as the moon passes in front of it (but doesn’t fully cover it).

Meteor shower camping in 2025

A meteor shower appears to originate, or radiate, from a particular constellation in the sky.

If you plan a meteor shower camping trip in 2025, be sure to pay attention to the surrounding area.

You don’t need to be in any particular state. But, you do need to be in a relatively open area with a dark sky.

The more open the area — think a valley or desert, not a forested or mountainous area — the more sky is visible. And, the darker the sky, the brighter the meteors.

Remember that the moon phase, not just light pollution, affects how dark the sky is. The newer and smaller the moon, the less light it adds to the sky.

Other ways to improve your chances of being dazzled by a meteor shower include:

• Pull a near all-nighter. The best viewing typically begins after midnight. You might need coffee.

• Locate the constellation that the meteor shower appears to originate or radiate from. You can focus your watch in that area. But, keep in mind that meteors can appear anywhere in the great expanse of night sky.

• Look on a clear night. A cloudy sky is no one’s friend when you’re trying to view a meteor shower.

Your best bets for meteor shower viewing in 2025 will likely be the Quadrantids and Geminids showers.

Most active meteor showers with low moonlight in 2025

These meteor showers pair high activity levels with low moonlight phases. A match made in heaven for meteor shower watching.

Quadrantids meteor shower
Wed, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 5

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Fri, Jan 3 to early morning on Sat, Jan 4

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 40 at peak

• Look toward
  Bootes constellation

• Moonlight
  Dim

Geminids meteor shower
Sun, Dec 7 – Wed, Dec 17

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Sat, Dec 13 to early morning on Sun, Dec 14

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 120 at peak

• Look toward
  Gemini constellation

• Moonlight
  Dim

Less active meteor showers with low moonlight in 2025

These showers are less active (fewer meteors per hour) than Quadrantids and Geminids. But, they’ll benefit from the same low moonlight, creating a darker sky.

Lyrids meteor shower
Wed, Apr 16 – Fri, Apr 25

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Tue, Apr 22 to early morning on Wed, Apr 23

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 20 at peak

• Look toward
  Lyra constellation

• Moonlight
  Dim

Delta Aquarids meteor shower
Sat, Jul 12 – Sat, Aug 23

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Mon, Jul 28 to early morning on Tue, Jul 29

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 20 at peak

• Look toward
  Aquarius constellation

• Moonlight
  Very dim

Orionids meteor shower
Thu, Oct 2 – Fri, Nov 7

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Tue, Oct 21 to early morning on Wed, Oct 22

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 20 at peak

• Look toward
  Orion constellation

• Moonlight
  Very dim — new moon, the darkest sky for a meteor shower in 2025

Leonids meteor shower
Thu, Nov 6 – Sun, Nov 30

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Mon, Nov 17 to early morning on Tue, Nov 18

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 15 at peak

• Look toward
  Leo constellation

• Moonlight
  Dim

Most active meteor showers during bright moonlight in 2025

Sadly, the brightness of the moon could curtail the visibility of two of the more active meteor showers in 2025.

Eta Aquarids meteor shower
Sat, Apr 19 – Wed, May 28

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Tue, May 6 to early morning on Wed, May 7

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 30 at peak (60 in the southern hemisphere)

• Look toward
  Aquarius constellation

• Moonlight
  Bright

Perseids meteor shower
Thu, Jul 17 – Sun, Aug 24

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Tue, Aug 12 to early morning on Wed, Aug 13

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 60 at peak

• Look toward
  The constellation Perseus

• Moonlight
  Bright
  
  

Least active meteor showers in 2025

These showers don’t attract much attention. Two of them occur during a full moon, which will diminish visibility.

Draconids meteor shower
Mon, Oct 6 – Fri, Oct 10

• Peak viewing
  Early evening Tue, Oct 7

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 10 at peak

• Look toward
  Draco constellation

• Moonlight
  Very bright —full moon

Taurids meteor shower
Sun, Sep 7 – Wed, Dec 10

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Tue, Nov 4 to early morning on Wed, Nov 5

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 5 - 10 at peak

• Look toward
  Taurus constellation

• Moonlight
  Very bright —full moon

Ursids meteor shower
Wed, Dec 17 – Thu, Dec 25

• Peak viewing
  Late in the night on Sun, Dec 21 to early morning on Mon, Dec 22

• Meteors per hour
  Up to 5 - 10 at peak

• Look toward
  Ursa Minor constellation

• Moonlight
  Dim

Planet parade camping in 2025

A planet parade, or planetary alignment, occurs when multiple planets are on the same side of the sun at the same time.

If a planet parade sounds like a good time, you’re in luck.

A planet parade is when multiple planets are visible in the night sky at the same time. This is also known as planetary alignment.

The first planet parade of 2025 will begin to take shape on Tue, Jan 21.

Six planets — Saturn, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars — will be visible.

On Fri, Feb 28, Mercury will join the party, completing the parade.

Don’t sleep on this chance to see seven planets in one parade, though. In early March, the planets will begin dropping out of the parade one by one.

Tips for viewing the planet parade:

• As with a meteor shower, you want an unobstructed view of the clear sky and as little light pollution as possible. The new moon on Wed, Jan 29 may be an opportune time.

• The best viewing times are often just after sunset until around midnight. Or, try just before sunrise. Some people recommend looking east.

• Even during a planet parade, some planets are too faint to see with the naked eye. These include Uranus and Neptune — and possibly Saturn. Use a telescope or even binoculars for these, or to see more detail on the brighter planets.

The planet parades don’t stop there.

Fri, Aug 29 will bring another. Six planets will align in the morning: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn.

Of course, you can also view individual planets at various times throughout 2025.

Here’s when Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Venus and Uranus will be at their brightest:

The surface of Mars appears red due to the oxidization of iron minerals in its soil.

Mars

• Thu, Jan 16 — visible all night

Mercury

• Sat, Mar 8 — look low in the western sky, just after sunset

• Mon, Apr 21 — look low in the eastern sky, just before sunrise

• Fri, Jul 4 — look low in the western sky, just after sunset

• Tue, Aug 19 — look low in the eastern sky, just before sunrise

• Wed, Oct 29 — look to the western sky, just after sunset

• Sun, Dec 7 — look to the eastern sky, just before sunrise

Neptune

• Tue, Sep 23 — visible all night; requires a high-power telescope

Saturn

• Sun, Sep 21 — visible all night; use a telescope to see the planet’s rings and a few of its moon

Venus

• Sat, May 31 — look to the eastern sky, just before sunrise

Uranus

• Fri, Nov 21 — visible all night; requires a high-power telescope

Comet camping in 2025

Comets, an ancient part of the solar system, are made of dust and ice.

Comet viewing can be a little harder to plan a camping trip around. They’re not nearly as predicable as something like a full moon.

All the same, two comets are showing good potential in 2025.

Comet C/2024 G3

• Closet to Earth
  Mon, Jan 13 (estimated date)

• Visible
  Possibly to the naked eye, even during the day

Comet 210P/Christensen

• Closet to Earth
  Sat, Nov 8 (estimated date)

• Visible
  Likely not to the naked eye; grab your binoculars or telescope
  
  

As you can see, 2025 has a lot to offer a budding or experienced astrotourist. There’s something going on every single month.

Remember to plan ahead if you want to enjoy a celestial event from a specific location. Book your campsite in advance.

Then, as the event draws near, keep an eye on the event forecasts. That will help you better pinpoint your best viewing opportunities.

Here’s some equipment that might come in handy, too:

• Binoculars or telescope

• Eclipse glasses

• A thermos for warm beverages

• Comfortable camping chairs

• Blankets and other cold-weather gear

• A phone app that identifies constellations

• A phone app that gives detailed weather reports, in case you need to look up when the sky is expected to clear up

No matter when — or why — you camp in 2025, I hope it’s magnificent. Astrotourism or not.

The dates and times of these celestial events can vary depending on your location and time zone. Be sure to check local sources to verify when they’ll occur in your area.