The Israel Nature and Parks Authority recommends several overnight parking areas in the Negev Highlands that offer dark, unobstructed skies. In the southern region, options include the Har Kippah overnight parking area (particularly dark and remote), Har Ardon overnight parking, Be'erot parking area, and the Small Crater Observation Point parking area. In the north, the Golan Heights offers excellent viewing at Mount Shifon or at Juba HaGdola near Moshav Odem.
For those already planning to visit the Negev Highlands, the region's distance from light pollution creates ideal conditions for stargazing. The meteor shower's peak has inspired a series of special events throughout the area. Among the highlights is "Falling Stars at Hamukei Nitzana," which combines a short desert hike with guided observation under the night sky.
At the time as the astronomy events, this year's programming includes activities under the "Tent Path" initiative, which offers encounters with desert dwellers, local lifestyles, and regional traditions. Activities include meeting a shepherd and his flock at Khan Nahal Hava, with an outing during twilight hours followed by gathering around a bonfire for tea and coffee; an evening of baking liba bread and pita on a saj griddle over an open fire; traditional flour grinding and pita baking at Mohammed Hareinak's hospitality tent; and desert tracking with Salem Abu Blaya, a professional shepherd and tracker who teaches participants to identify animal tracks and recognize desert wildlife through the signs they leave behind.
The region will also host classic summer evening and nighttime activities: bat tours among the historic buildings at Mitzpe Revivim, glowing scorpion tours at Nahal Hatzatz and the Shepherd's Parking Area, a combined "Scorpions, Bats and Stars" tour at Kibbutz Revivim, twilight and stargazing walks at Nitzana, and sunset easy-rider tours at Kadesh Barnea featuring self-driven electric all-terrain vehicles across the expanses of the Shunra Agur Reserve during the softening light when the desert changes color.
In the Central Arava region, the meteor shower peak on Thursday night, August 13, will be marked by a special, comprehensive observation event. Alon Goldstein and Rotem Regev, senior astronomy guides and Central Arava residents, will lead a viewing celebration of the summer Perseid meteor shower.
The event will take place at a special observation site in the Tzukim area—dark and quiet with a unique desert atmosphere, accessible to any vehicle. The evening will feature guided stargazing, viewing of distant celestial objects through advanced telescopes, and independent meteor watching. The observation site will also include a bonfire corner with hot drinks and refreshments.
