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10th Annual Perseids Meteor Shower Campout 2026
A magical stargazing tradition at Mendocino Magic
Join us for the 10th Annual Perseids Meteor Shower Campout at Mendocino Magic, one of California’s premier destinations for pristine night skies. Celebrate a decade of gathering beneath the stars for an unforgettable weekend of camping, astronomy, community, and wonder.
As a Class 2 Dark Sky site on the Bortle Scale, Mendocino Magic offers exceptionally dark, unpolluted skies—creating ideal conditions to witness the Perseids Meteor Shower in all its brilliance.
Throughout the weekend, enjoy telescope viewing at Methuselah’s Observatory, connect with fellow stargazers and astrophotography enthusiasts, and cozy up with complimentary hot tea and soup while waiting for meteors to streak overhead.
Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or simply looking to experience the magic of a truly dark sky for the first time, this weekend is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the awe of the cosmos.
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August 14–16, 2026
Mendocino Magic Campground · Laytonville, California
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Schedule Highlights
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Friday, August 14
8:00 PM — Discussion + Audience Q&A
Living with the Stars: What Space Teaches Us About Life on Earth
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With special guest Jessica Snyder, PH.D.
Join us for an inspiring evening conversation exploring what it takes to live beyond Earth—and what that journey can teach us about life here at home.
Featuring special guest Dr. Jessica Snyder, an engineer, inventor, and explorer whose work focuses on using biology as technology for long term human missions to space, this discussion will connect lunar habitats, space medicine, fungi, mycelium, and resilient communities through one shared theme: everything is interconnected.
Whether you’re fascinated by the Perseids, curious about the future of space exploration, or inspired by the hidden networks beneath our feet, this conversation invites us to consider a simple but profound idea: we are not separate from the universe—we are part of it.
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Dr. Jessica Snyder
Engineer · Inventor · Explorer
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Audience Q&A immediately follows the discussion.
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Saturday, August 15
11:00 PM — Perseids Meteor Shower Viewing
Gather atop the hill at Methuselah’s Observatory for an unforgettable night beneath one of the darkest skies in California. Telescopes will be available for stargazing as meteors streak across the sky.
A self-serve tea station and steaming hot soup will be available beginning at 11:00 PM to help keep you warm throughout the evening. Vegetarian and omnivore options will be provided.
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Stargazing reminder
Please bring a red-light flashlight or headlamp. Bright white light makes it much harder for everyone’s eyes to adjust to the darkness and fully enjoy the night sky.
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What to Bring
Please plan to bring your own food for meals and snacks. Light snacks will be available on Saturday, and we recommend a picnic-style dinner before heading up the hill.
You may also cook at Central Camp, where communal grills are available. No stoves or cooking equipment are permitted at Methuselah’s Observatory.
Ice will be available on-site for $5 per 5 lb bag, and coolers will also be available to rent.
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Recommended packing list
Red-light flashlight or headlamp · Tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad · Warm layers · Blanket or camp chair · Bathing suit and towel · Lake-safe sunscreen · Bug spray · Reusable mug, utensils, and water bottle · Food and cooler · Trash bags for packing out waste
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Please help us protect this beautiful landscape by following Leave No Trace principles and packing out everything you bring in.
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Come with curiosity. Leave with perspective.
Spend the weekend beneath one of the year’s most spectacular meteor showers and experience the magic of Mendocino Magic under truly dark skies. 
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Mendocino Magic Campground · Laytonville, CA
Event details
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