1 certified dark-sky destination within 150 miles · Nearest: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (135 mi N)
Miami's dome merges with the Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach corridor stretching 70 miles north. To escape it, you'll need to drive inland: about 135 miles northwest on I-75 (Alligator Alley) and US-27 to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.
🌠 Perseids 2026 — a rare moonless peak. The shower peaks overnight Aug 12 into pre-dawn Aug 13 on a new moon, so the sky stays fully dark all night — the best Perseid conditions in years. From these skies, expect roughly 70–90+ meteors/hour under clear conditions under clear conditions. Best rates 2–5 AM local time; no equipment needed, just look up.
1 Certified Dark-Sky Destination Near Miami, FL
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Nearest
135 mi N of Miami
·
~est. 3.5–5h — verify in maps
Sky: Bortle 2 — true dark sky
Designation: IDA Dark Sky Park
Best months: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Milky Way window: late Feb - mid Oct
Gateway town(s): Okeechobee, FL, Kenansville, FL
Access: NONE. The entrance gate closes 15 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET - before astronomical twilight has even begun