Joshua Tree National Park to reopen campground for meteor shower

JOSHUA TREE - Joshua Tree National Park will reopen its Ryan Campground next weekend to open up more spots during the Perseid meteor shower, a park spokesman said today.

The 31-site campground, which is usually closed in summer when there are fewer visitors, will be open Aug. 10-12 during the annual meteor shower. The meteor shower is expected to peak on Aug. 11, park spokesman Joe Zarki said.

''In recent years, night sky activities have become popular at Joshua Tree and frequently draw large evening crowds to the park,'' Zarki said. ''The temporary opening of Ryan Campground will allow the accommodation of more visitors who wish to stay the night.''

Park rangers will offer a program about viewing the Perseid shower on Aug. 11 at 8:30 p.m. at the Oasis Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms.

Zarki said meteors will appear to rain down from the direction of the constellation Perseus in the northeastern sky. Perseus rises around 11 p.m.

The camping fee is $10 per night. For information, call (760) 367-5500 or go to http://www.nps.gov/jotr.