Best Places In Minnesota To Watch The Geminid Meteor Shower
On the night of Dec. 13th and into the early hours of the 14th, the Minnesotan sky will become lit up with a beautiful and fantastic meteor shower. The lights are expected to be so bright that they will make the Christmas decorations look dull. This year, the peak of the shower is expected to be around 2 a.m., making it important to find a place to watch the shower where there is no curfew. Bring a friend and grab your blankets, these are some ideas of where you can see the show.
Wesley Park
8305 Wesley Drive
Golden Valley. MN 55427
(763) 512-2344
www.goldenvalleymn.gov/parks
The perfect distance from the city lights to keep them from interfering with the show, Wesley Park is situated on an open area of almost 20 acres. Parking is abundant on the street and in stalls by the park, and the area is a perfect place to hang out while waiting for the shower to begin. It is suggested that viewers arrive an hour before the expected shower to let their eyes adjust to the dark. Be sure to bring snacks and people that you can have a good conversation with while you wait for the sky to light up.
Cascade River State Park
3481 West Highway 61
Lutsen, MN 55612
(218) 387-3053
www.visitcookcounty.com
Northern Minnesota is a fantastic and ideal place to watch any astronomical and natural phenomenon in the sky. Away from the dense lights and activities of the city, Cook County may be an optimal area for viewing the meteor shower. Cascade River State Park, located southwest of Grand Marais, is a beautiful area for hiking, fishing and camping. The option to camp out and watch the shower all night is doable in this area. Situate yourself far away from civilization and enjoy the show.
Lake Minnetonka
4610 County Road 44
Minnetrista, MN 55331
(763) 694-7754
www.threeriversparks.org
A place where there is sure to be an unobstructed view of the sky is over a large body of water. Head out to Lake Minnetonka and enjoy the meteor shower from the beach or boat to the middle of the lake for a spectacular spot. Lake Minnetonka is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota and a beautiful area of the state. Minnehaha Park, adjacent to the lake, offers another area to explore and go hiking before the fun starts.
Lake Carlos State Park
2601 Co. Road 38 NE
Carlos, MN 56319
(320) 852-7200
www.dnr.state.mn.us
North of the Twin Cites, Lake Carlos is a popular recreational area. While many Minnesotans head up to Lake Carlos in the summer to enjoy resort activities on the lake and camping in the park, it is also a perfect place to watch the meteor shower. The park itself is a fantastic camping ground, with open prairies and land with an unobstructed view of the sky. Enjoy the visitor center, camping and recreation options, and all of the amenities the park has to offer.
Frontenac State Park
29223 County 28 Blvd.
Frontenac, MN 55026
(651) 345-3401
www.dnrstate.mn.us
One of the most beautiful parks in Minnesota, Frontenac State Park is located south of the Twin Cities and offers a fantastic variety of wilderness and terrain. What is considered a birdwatchers paradise is also a great place to watch a meteor light show. Find the perfect spot on the bluffs, along the lake or on the open space of the prairie. Camp all night and go hiking in the morning to top off your meeting with nature.
Related: Best Hiking Trails In Minnesota
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.