As winter drags on, it can feel difficult to see a light at the end of the cold, dark tunnel—but for some, this is when the night sky takes centre stage. The long nights between October to March offer some of the clearest viewing experiences for amateur and expert stargazers alike. With astrotourism, a travel trend that highlights nighttime events, travellers can expect to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, celestial phenomena like Andromeda’s Galaxy, or simply gaze up at the star-dotted vastness of space.
Lucky for us, Canada is home to some of the top places to stargaze in the world. There are 13 official Dark Sky Preserves from coast to coast, alongside countless other lesser-known nooks.
Take a look at 10 stunning places to look up at the stars, as designated by tour operator Journeyscape.
Jasper National Park, Alta.
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park features some of the most pristine stargazing one could hope to experience. Spanning 11,000 km² of protected land with virtually no light pollution, this Alberta park is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. With little precipitation throughout the year, clear skies are common in the park.
Head over to some of the park’s most beautiful lakes, such as Pyramid Lake and Medicine Lake, for a beautiful view both on and off the ground. Jasper National Park plays host to the Jasper Dark Sky Festival in the fall, where visitors can take part in telescope tours, a symphony under the stars, and talks from celebrated scientists.
Astrotourism score: 9.05
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ont.
On the shores of Lake Huron’s turquoise waters, Bruce Peninsula National Park boasts dark skies that are ideal for stargazing. Surrounded by water on three sides and located at a distance from any large cities, the designated Dark Sky Preserve is close to eight campgrounds and four hotels.
Star gazers can expect an experience that’s every bit beautiful as it is educational. Every summer, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association hosts Bayside Astronomy nights. These free sessions begin with a star talk, delving into topics like “the SETI Project, Are We Alone In The Milky Way,” then visitors are invited to take a look through telescopes.
Astrotourism score: 8.96
Killarney Provincial Park, Ont.
Killarney Provincial Park strikes the perfect balance between accessibility (it’s about an hour’s drive from Sudbury) and seclusion. Sitting on the northern shore of Georgian Bay, Killarney’s skies are so clear that you can spot the Milky Way if you’re lucky.
Visit the Killarney Observatory to take a peek through the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s telescope or explore on-site educational programming. In August, Killarney gets a front-row seat to the Perseids meteor shower, an annual phenomena that sees over 50 meteors per hour soaring through the sky.
Astrotourism score: 8.88
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Alta.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Waterton Glacier international Peace Parks sits on the border between Alberta and Montana. The park sees less visitors than other spots on this list, making it an ideal destination for secluded stargazing. Head to Cameron Bay and Red Rock Parkway for clear views of the Andromeda Galaxy.
Astrotourism score: 8.88
Wood Buffalo National Park, Alta.
Thanks to this northern Alberta park’s location along the Earth’s auroral oval, it takes very little geomagnetic activity for the Northern Lights to light up the sky. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Pine Lake campground to check out the park’s main astronomical observation site, including the Dark Sky Circle observation deck.
Astrotourism score: 8.79
Grasslands National Park, Sask.
Spanning over 700 km² and divided into two blocks of protected area, Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park is a unique prairie badland and celebrated Dark Sky Preserve. It’s typical to spot a natural green sky-glow on the horizon and shadows on the ground cast by bright stars and planets, according to the RASC.
Astrotourism score: 8.35
Manitoulin Eco Park, Ont.
Located on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, this Dark Sky Preserve is nestled in a hardwood forest minutes from Lake Huron. Visitors can take part in Dark Sky camping within the Preserve, where the only light allowed is from campfires and red lights. Gaze at the Aurora Borealis, tag along on guided night hikes, or get educated at a weekend astronomy presentation.
Astrotourism score: 8.35
Terra Nova National Park, N.L.
Spanning boreal forests, ancient trails and fjords, Terra Nova is Canada’s most eastern national park. Terra Nova features an array of designated viewing sites, included the higher-elevation Ochre Hill and sheltered Sandy Pond. Visit in August for the park’s annual “Night Sky Celebration” event, where visitors can take part in solar systems trail walks, a solar viewing event and, of course, stargazing.
Astrotourism score: 7.91
North Frontenac Astronomy Park, Ont.
Located about an hour and a half north of Kingston, North Frontenac was the first township in Canada to receive a designated dark sky preserve status. Thanks to its low population density and distance from major cities, it’s one the best places to stargaze in Ontario. The park hosts events throughout the year, including astronomy talks from astronauts, sun parties, the Perseid meteor shower.
Astrotourism score: 7.82
Kejimkujik National Park, N.S.
As Nova Scotia’s sole Dark Sky Preserve, Kejimkujik National Park is an Eastern hub for stargazing. Rent a dark-sky kit from the park to easily spot celestial magic, then visit Merrymakedge Beach for unobstructed views of the southern skies.
The park regularly hosts guided night hikes and campfire programs, as well as outdoor shows that delve into topics like extraterrestrial life and interstellar phenomena. Kejimkujik also occasionally offers night-time canoe excursions to guests.
Astrotourism score: 7.74
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