The Night Sky in Arkansas
This year's meteor showers, moon phases, and the darkest places to watch from in Arkansas.
Data updated: August 2026Sources & method · Corrections
The best stargazing in Arkansas comes on clear, moonless nights, and January, November and December give you the most of them to work with — about 14.2 hours of darkness at the December peak, computed from Arkansas's own sun times. Below: this year's meteor-shower peaks and how bright the moon will be for each, a month-by-month new- and full-moon calendar, and the darkest places to watch from.
Arkansas offers above-average stargazing for a state east of the Mississippi, thanks to its low population density outside the Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas metro areas and its extensive forested, mountainous terrain. The Ozark Highlands in the north and the Ouachita Mountains in the west-central part of the state keep much of the landscape free of large light domes, and higher elevations often sit above valley haze on clear nights. Summer humidity and haze can mute viewing at times, but crisp fall and winter nights frequently reveal the Milky Way from the state's more remote forests and river valleys.
Dark-sky places in Arkansas
- Buffalo National River — The river corridor cuts through the Ozark Mountains far from any sizable town, and its high bluffs and gravel bars open onto wide, unobstructed horizons with little nearby development to wash out the sky.
- Mount Magazine State Park — Set atop the highest point in Arkansas in the Arkansas River Valley, the park's elevation and remote location put it well above and away from the light glow of nearby towns, making it a popular stop for stargazers willing to make the drive.
- Ouachita National Forest — This expansive forest across west-central Arkansas has few paved roads and even fewer towns, so its backcountry campgrounds and overlooks tend to stay dark long after sunset.
- Petit Jean State Park — Perched on a mountain plateau above the Arkansas River Valley near Morrilton, its overlooks face away from the nearest population centers, offering a solid view of the night sky on clear evenings.
Ranger programs, star parties and opening hours change season to season — check with the site before you drive out.
The sky this month (August)
The moon in August: New moon Aug 12 · Full moon Aug 28. Darkest skies fall around Aug 7–Aug 17, near the new moon.
Meteor showers peaking in August:
| Meteor shower | Peak | Meteors/hr | Moon | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perseids | Aug 12 | 100 | 0% near-new | late evening to dawn |
Meteor showers in 2026
| Meteor shower | Peak | Meteors/hr | Moon | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrantids | Jan 3 | 120 | 100% near-full | after midnight into dawn |
| Lyrids | Apr 22 | 18 | 29% crescent | after midnight |
| Eta Aquariids | May 6 | 50 | 83% gibbous | pre-dawn (better in the South) |
| Southern Delta Aquariids | Jul 30 | 25 | 100% near-full | pre-dawn |
| Perseids | Aug 12 | 100 | 0% near-new | late evening to dawn |
| Draconids | Oct 8 | 10 | 7% crescent | early evening |
| Orionids | Oct 21 | 20 | 74% gibbous | after midnight |
| Southern Taurids | Nov 5 | 5 | 16% crescent | late evening (slow, bright fireballs) |
| Northern Taurids | Nov 12 | 5 | 8% crescent | late evening (slow, bright fireballs) |
| Leonids | Nov 17 | 15 | 48% quarter moon | after midnight |
| Geminids | Dec 14 | 150 | 22% crescent | evening to dawn (best all year) |
| Ursids | Dec 22 | 10 | 95% near-full | after midnight |
Moon phases in 2026
| Month | New moon (darkest) | Full moon |
|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 18 | Jan 3 |
| February | Feb 17 | Feb 1 |
| March | Mar 18 | Mar 3 |
| April | Apr 17 | Apr 1 |
| May | May 16 | May 1, May 31 |
| June | Jun 14 | Jun 29 |
| July | Jul 14 | Jul 29 |
| August | Aug 12 | Aug 28 |
| September | Sep 10 | Sep 26 |
| October | Oct 10 | Oct 26 |
| November | Nov 9 | Nov 24 |
| December | Dec 8 | Dec 23 |
Which Arkansas nights are worth the drive
The year's meteor peaks with the moon already worked out, and the darkest places in Arkansas to watch them from.
The complete The Night Sky over Arkansas
A stargazing companion for the state that does not expire: the meteor calendar, the darkest places, and how to read any year's sky.
Want it on paper? See the printable The Night Sky over Arkansas.