Each year we host a special event for the Perseid meteor shower, one of the year’s most prolific meteor showers, created from the residue of the Swift-Tuttle comet.

We are lucky to again be able to watch this year’s Perseids from the 600-acre Valley View Ranch, an historic horse riding camp for girls, on the top of Lookout Mountain, northwest of Rome, GA. Open areas away from city lights make for great star-gazing, and there are also several miles of forest trails for hiking and horseback riding, a spring-fed lake for a cooling afternoon swim – and there’s a fishing lake! 

Since we’ll want to see the stars at night, this trip includes options for overnight stays in camp cabins or tent camping:

• Cabins are simple with electricity, bathrooms and bunk style beds. 2-4 people per cabin or more for families. (Guests bring their own pillows and sheets for twin size beds.)

• Tent campers can pitch tents in a large field with mountain views and there is a bathhouse with full facilities including showers for campers.

Meals at the Dining Hall can be included at an additional cost or you are welcome to bring your foods – we’ll have access to refrigerator space as well as a microwave and coffee maker. 

Note: All camp facilities will be thoroughly sanitized before our arrival, and we’ll follow current Covid-19 precautions recommended by the CDC. It will be easy to be socially distanced on this large, open property. 

Basic itinerary:

• Arrive between 4-6 pm 

• Late afternoon outdoor drinks and snacks (bring your own)

• Dinner, bring your own or eat prepared meals in the Dining Hall

• Star-gazing, most meteors will be seen in the late night/early morning hours

• Breakfast, bring your own or eat prepared meals

• Morning guided naturalist walk or other outdoor activities: hiking, swimming, frisbee, etc (horseback riding is available to those who have ridden on a horse at least once previously, separate fees apply. Please let us know in advance if you wish to ride horses.)

• Leave camp or stay over another night!

Feel free to come just for the stars, or enjoy a little more time away.

Our overnight stay options are Aug 11 and/or 12 to coincide with the peak nights of the meteor shower this year. Our hosts are easy-going and flexible, which will assure us a good night or two of meteor viewing.  Please let us know if you wish to stay more than one night. 

Allow for a 2-hour drive from downtown Atlanta.

Costs:

First Night Lodging: $100 per person (either cabin or tent camping), includes access to all facilities and  activities except horseback riding).

Second Night Lodging: $75 per person (includes the same features as First Night Lodging)

Cabin spaces are limited, camping is open up to 10 tents. To reserve your space in a cabin, we request a non-refundable deposit of $100 by August 8.

Covid-19  precautions: We will continue to follow CDC guidelines during this time. For this reason, our vaccinated guests will be able to choose between cabin lodging and tent camping. Our unvaccinated guests will be offered tent camping spots only. Thank you for your understanding. If staying in one of the cabin spaces, please send a photo of your vaccination/booster card by Aug 9. 

Prepared meal options (only if 8 or more people sign up):

• $25 per meal, or

• $65 dollars for one full day of meals (3 meals)

• The camp will not cook for less than 8 people so please let us know if you intend on eating prepared meals or will bring your own food. In the event you submit payment for a meal but there’s not enough participation, we will refund you the full meal amount. In the past, we’ve been able to accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diet options. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions so that we are able to plan accordingly with the staff at Valley View.

To register click HERE — a $15 donation helps support our programs.

Questions? call 404-862-0118