12/13/2025 | Elephant Rocks State Park | Belleview, MO
Mother's Nature's Christmas Lights Display
To mark this year’s most spectacular meteor shower, the Geminids, Elephant Rocks State Park will be open to the public for a rare after-dark event. You’re invited to view this spectacular phenomenon from 5 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 13. So, if you like stargazing or light shows and are able to brave the cold, come join us at the park to create a lifelong memory.
About the shower:
- The Geminid meteor shower was first reported in 1833 by a riverboat captain traveling on the Mississippi River.
- The shower is dust from an asteroid, not a comet. The asteroid is named 3200 Phaethon.
- The asteroid orbits the sun every 1.4 years and leaves a trail of dust through which the Earth passes every December, resulting in an annual viewing opportunity.
- The shower gets brighter every year as Jupiter’s gravity pulls the dust closer to the Earth.
- The best viewing is high in the southern sky near the constellation Gemini.
Event guidelines and reminders:
- The viewing is free and open to the public; there is no need to register.
- Park staff will be available to direct you to the best and safest areas to view the shower.
- Elephant Rocks is a carry-in, carry-out park; please bring in only what you will be able to carry out when you leave. Trash receptacles will be provided in the parking lot.
- This shower can be viewed with the naked eye. No telescopes or binoculars are needed, but you are welcome to bring yours if you want.
- Attendees are expected to be respectful of others and should avoid excessive noise and use of artificial light.
- No tents or other invasive camping equipment such as lanterns or propane heaters will be allowed, but you can bring portable chairs for seating and blankets to keep warm.
- Absolutely no campfires will be allowed.
- Please remember to dress for the weather. The temperature on the rocks is often lower than than the average local temperature. Even if it is a mild night, you can become chilled by sitting in the park for long periods.
- In case of bad weather, the event may be rescheduled for the following night, Sunday, Dec 14. Poor viewing conditions on both nights may result in the event being canceled.
- More information is available by calling the park office at 573-546-3454.
- A complete list of upcoming astronomy-themed programs at Missouri state parks and historic sites is provided on our astronomy events page.
Event time: 5 p.m. - midnight
Elephant Rocks State Park is located at: