Canadian nature lovers don鈥檛 need a pricey telescope or a cottage tucked away from city lights to stargaze. There鈥檚 a park, reserve, small town or city in every corner of the country perfect for craning your neck up at the galaxy.
, one in each province and territory, for the best astronomy that the country has to offer, amateur or otherwise.
A2: Join us at the Festival for Symphony Under the Stars hosted by ! Enjoy a magical evening of stars and music by the ! 鉁
鈥 Tourism Jasper (@TourismJasper)
Learn more here:
JASPER NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA
The stargazing in Jasper National Park is so inspiring they put a soundtrack to it. During the park鈥檚 Dark Sky Festival every October, the outdoor Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Strings perform during the 鈥溾 show. Jasper was designated a 鈥溾 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2011 due to optimal dark sky viewing amid very little light pollution.
GARIBALDI PROVINCIAL PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA
This park is conveniently located a short drive from the resort town of Whistler, B.C., and is a popular hiking and camping site. 鈥淚ts high altitude and low light pollution make it an excellent stargazing spot for adventurers, nature lovers and amateur astronomers alike,鈥 said the Space Agency on its website.
Starry skies above Garibaldi Provincial Park. Photo via Instagram.
鈥 Destination BC (@HelloBC)
GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SASKATCHEWAN
Located near the border of Montana and Saskatchewan, Grasslands National Park was designated a 鈥淒ark-Sky Preserve鈥 in 2009. In fact, it鈥檚 the darkest of the dark-sky preserves in the whole country, the Space Agency says. 鈥淰isitors can marvel at the Milky Way, constellations and other astronomical phenomena that are very difficult to see near urban areas,鈥 the website reads.
Just. wow. at National Park, Saskatchewan.
鈥 Neil Zeller (@Neil_Zee)
WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK, MANITOBA
Whiteshell might not be a designated 鈥淒ark-Sky Preserve,鈥 but it still offers an awe-inspiring experience, says the Space Agency, thanks in part to the 鈥渁stronomy-related wonder鈥 that is West Hawk Lake. The lake is situated in a meteorite crater several million years old. 鈥淐atch a delightful sunset on the lakeshore before looking up at night for a sight of the Milky Way,鈥 the Agency says.
Whiteshell Provincial park Manitoba.
鈥 Brent Mckean (@BrentMckean501)
CHARLESTON LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK, ONTARIO
Each year from July to mid-August, stargazers in the northern hemisphere can catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower, and Charleston Lake is a hot spot for viewing, the Space Agency says. They even have astronomers present during viewing parties that can help provide amateur viewers with an optimal experience.
MONT-MÉGANTIC INTERNATIONAL DARK-SKY RESERVE, QUEBEC
Located about 40 km from the town of Lac-Megantic, Mont-Megantic National Park is the site of the 鈥檚 first International Dark Sky Reserve, a separate designation from the Canadian Space Agency鈥檚 dark-sky preserves. The scientific observatory is located at the summit of Mont Megantic.
"Sous un ciel étoilé" - great article (en français) about the Mont-Mégantic Reserve, featuring :
鈥 Dr. John Barentine (@JohnBarentine)
TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, NEWFOUNDLAND
Amateurs be warned: Torngat Mountains National Park might be too challenging for the casual outdoor lover. Located in a remote location near the tip of the province, the park is only accessible by boat or charter plane. 鈥淭he scenery is worth the extra effort, as northern lights are very bright and frequent,鈥 the Space Agency says. 鈥淚nuit culture, astronomy and captivating landscapes collide for an unforgettable excursion.鈥
A2: Relaxing after a day exploring the Torngat Mountains National Park under the northern lights.
鈥 The Torngats (@TheTorngats)
HOPEWELL ROCKS PROVINCIAL PARK, NEW BRUNSWICK
The stunning New Brunswick tourist spot is typically visited for its beaches and the fascination with the high- and low-tide viewing of the Hopewell Rocks, also known as the Flower Pot Rocks, a wonder of millions of years of tidal erosion. It鈥檚 鈥渢he perfect spot for those who are interested in both geology and astronomy,鈥 says the Space Agency.
Hopewell Rocks with Moon, Venus and Stars
鈥 Philip Reid (@leatherdog)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, P.E.I.
This small, 27 square km national park features low light pollution and is a pleasant seaside escape, whether you鈥檙e stargazing or not. The Canadian Space Agency says the nearby Cavendish Beach is also a good option for nighttime stargazing.
KEJIMKUJIK NATIONAL PARK, NOVA SCOTIA
Designated a Dark-Sky Preserve in 2010, Kejimkujik National Park -- also known as 鈥淜eji鈥 -- offers public stargazing events twice a year called the 鈥.鈥 The park also has a close relationship with First Nations traditions, so visitors can learn about the importance of astronomy in Mi鈥檏maq culture while they stargaze.
How do you plan on taking advantage of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site's Dark Sky Preserve?
鈥 Nova Scotia - Parks Canada (@ParksCanada_NS)
WATSON LAKE, YUKON
Home to the Northern Lights Space and Science Centre, Watson Lake provides an educational experience with its stargazing. Lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of the aurora too.
IQALUIT, NUNAVUT
With short daylight hours in the winter, Iqaluit is a prime location for stargazing and viewing the northern lights. 鈥淵ou can enjoy a colourful night sky from October to April,鈥 says the Space Agency, 鈥渂ut be sure to bundle up: it can get extremely cold during those months.鈥
Taken from my back deck, you can see the direction of the star "trails"
鈥 Caleb Little (@CalebLittle6)
WOOD BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The largest Dark-Sky Preserve in the whole world at nearly 45,000 square km, Wood Buffalo National Park sits mostly in Alberta, but crosses into the southern edge of the Northwest Territories. The park is also home to the largest herd of free-roaming wood bison. In other words, you can see more than stars at Wood Buffalo National Park.
September 22, 2013
鈥 Yuichi Takasaka (@ytakasaka)
Auroras over Salt River
Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, Canada