Where Are the Best Places to Stargaze in Canada?

Looking at the night sky in all its glory can be a humbling and jaw-dropping experience, but with the increase in light pollution around the globe, the stars are becoming increasingly difficult to see.

Luckily, there are some areas of the planet where you can still see the vastness of the cosmos above your head — and many are in Canada! The vast expanse of near-empty national parkland and forests is ideal for gazing into the heavens. 

You could visit many places, but to help you choose your destination, we have compiled a ranking based on numerous meteorological and functional factors to reveal the top spot for a stargazing holiday.

Jasper National Park is the best place to see the stars in Canada

From witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights in Saskatchewan to moonbathing under pristine dark skies in Nova Scotia, Canada offers some of the world’s most breathtaking experiences. But where is the best place to book your next nature trip?

Jasper National Park, Alberta | Astrotourism score of 9.05

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As the second largest dark-sky preserve in the world, Jasper National Park has pitch-black skies (0.18 mcd/m²) and is framed by the rugged Rockies. Its mountain altitude reduces atmospheric interference, giving you a sharper view of celestial spectacles like the Orion Nebula. Some beautiful stargazing spots in the park are on the shores of its many stunning lakes, such as Pyramid Lake, Medicine Lake and Lake Annette.

With three campgrounds, 109 hotels, and a Google rating of 4.8, it not only promises spectacular views but also provides convenience. 

The air quality score of 36 and 755 mm of yearly precipitation mean clear skies are common, especially in autumn. This is perfect timing for the park’s famous Jasper Dark Sky Festival, where famous speakers in the past have included Bill Nye, “The Science Guy”, and astronauts like Chris Hadfield. The event is full of scheduled stargazing experiences, such as telescope tours, trivia nights, and even a symphony under the stars.

Explore Jasper National Park

Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario | Astrotourism score of 8.96

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With skies as dark as Jasper’s (0.18 mcd/m²), a good air quality score of 40, and a location perched on the edge of Lake Huron, Bruce Peninsula National Park is a great place to spot constellations. 

Stargazing gets even more special in the summer months thanks to the free Bayside Astronomy nights, run by the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association. Taking place five nights a week, these sessions begin at dusk with fascinating talks on topics like “The Birth, Life and Death of Stars,” before moving on to guided telescope viewing. It’s a chance to learn from local experts and see the brightest stars up close — no experience required.

With eight nearby campgrounds and 59 hotels to choose from, this area delivers on convenience as much as it does on scenery. Looking for an unobstructed view of the sky? Head to Singing Sands on the southwest side of Highway 6, Skinner’s Bluff, or the outskirts of Cyprus Lake. 

Explore Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula

Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario | Astrotourism score of 8.88

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Tucked away on the northern shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario, Killarney Provincial Park is Canada’s ultimate celestial destination. This spot has the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion. It’s remote enough to feel wild as it is over an hour’s drive away from the nearest big town, Sudbury. But still has a lot of amenities, with 31 hotels and six camping grounds within reach to rest after a long night of stargazing. 

With a darkness level of 0.18 mcd/m², it has skies so clear you could spot the Milky Way at the right times. Alongside this, its air quality score of 34 and low annual precipitation (645 mm) mean you’re more likely to catch meteor showers, constellations, and even the occasional aurora borealis.

The park is also part of Ontario’s dark-sky preserve network. It regularly hosts astronomy events at the Killarney Observatory, giving you front-row seats to lunar eclipses and planetary oppositions.

For a truly magical experience, visit Killarney during the Perseids meteor shower in August. The weather is warm, the skies are dry, and the bright streaks of light shine above Georgian Bay.

Explore Killarney Provincial Park

Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta | Astrotourism score of 8.88

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This park straddles the border between Alberta and Montana, which means it is accessible from both Canada and the U.S. Waterton Glacier International Peace Park is dedicated to preserving natural landscapes across national boundaries, making it the ideal place to combine mountain views with stargazing. The Canadian half of the park is known as the Waterton Lakes National Park, and there are some fantastic stargazing spots in areas such as Cameron Bay and Red Rock Parkway.

With only two nearby campgrounds and 39 hotel options, it gets less busy than other stargazing spots. Perfect if you’re looking for a quieter cosmic retreat.

Visit in early autumn for clear, dry nights and the best chance of catching cosmic events. The park’s low precipitation and high elevation give you a good opportunity to spot planetary oppositions and deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy. It’s also a great time for Equinox auroras, with little light pollution to interfere.

Explore Waterton Lakes National Park

Astrotourism activities you can do in Canada

So, you’re interested in going to one of Canada’s astrotourism hotspots, but what exactly can you do there? There’s always the usual stargazing or planet-spotting, but here are a few other activities to explore on your trip: 

Moonbathing

Who needs sunshine when you’ve got moonshine? Over 1,000 videos on TikTok describe this ancient practice, where people bask in the light of the full moon, incorporating this with meditation, affirmations, or gentle stretching. People find moonbathing to be relaxing and peaceful, allowing them to reflect and connect with nature. It is even believed to come with health benefits like lowering stress and improving sleep and wellbeing. 

Just grab a blanket, find a comfortable spot under clear skies (Canada’s dark sky spots like Ontario’s parks are ideal), and let the lunar rays wash over you.

Night hiking

Night hiking is exactly what it sounds like. Trekking through trails after dark, guided by starlight (and maybe a trusty torch). While the thought of these nocturnal walks may make some people uneasy, they’re perfect for people who aren’t afraid of a little mystery. 

But why would people choose to walk in the dark? Benefits of hiking at night include fewer crowds, cooler temperatures in summer and a unique view of picturesque landscapes bathed in pale moonlight. As you move through nature, you’ll be able to hear the nocturnal sounds of wildlife around you, so let your senses kick in and get ready for an adventure. 

Always make sure you’re well-prepared and informed about local wildlife and trail conditions before embarking on your night hike.

Astrophotography

Astrophotography is all about capturing pictures of the stars, galaxies, and the Milky Way. It’s wildly popular on Instagram, with over six million posts using the hashtag #astrophotography, where star-chasers post their stunning snaps. 

If you’re a beginner, plenty of workshops are available in Canada to get you started. These workshops often guide you step-by-step, showing you how to use long exposures and special camera settings to get crystal-clear photos.

The best times to visit Canada to see a celestial event

If you’re booking a stargazing trip in Canada, you’ll want to know when to go to have the best chance of marvelling at everything our night sky has to offer. 

For a frosty adventure, mid-December is the peak of the Geminids meteor shower, one of the brightest and most reliable of the year. However, it is often active from November 19th onwards, giving you more time to catch this sight. 

Do shimmering, iridescent clouds sound like something you’d be interested in? If so, head to Canada in early July to spot Noctilucent clouds, a rare and ethereal high-atmosphere phenomenon.

Many places in Canada are primed for spotting the northern lights, but to increase your chances, plan your visit around the equinoxes in March and September. To increase your chances of seeing these, download an aurora tracking app and aim for nights with KP index of five or higher.

Tips for increasing your chances

Plan around major meteor showers

Canada’s dark-sky parks give you front-row seats to some of the most dramatic meteor showers in the northern hemisphere. Time your visit with:

Perseids (mid-July to mid-August): Often called the best meteor shower of the year, definitely one you wouldn’t want to miss. 

Geminids (mid-November to mid-December): If reliability is what you’re after, aim to travel to Canada between mid-November to mid-December to catch this meteor shower. 

Quadrantids (late December to early January): This shower is usually short-lived but intense — you could see up to 100 meteors per hour. You’ll need to dress warm but it will be worth it.

Visit during new moon phases, but watch the weather

Light pollution from the moon can significantly dull your stargazing experience. For the darkest skies, plan your trip within a few days of the new moon, when the sky is at its deepest black. 

To make this easier, you can use a dark sky calendar to plan your trip. Pair this with weather research to find the times with the clearest skies, low average precipitation, and good air quality. 

Download stargazing apps and use AR

Once you’re under the night sky in Canada, apps like Sky Guide, Night Sky, and Stellarium let you point your phone at the sky and identify stars and planets in real-time with augmented reality. 

You can use these to track the International Space Station, find Mars or Venus, or even identify constellations on camera!

Methodology

We compiled a list of top stargazing destinations in Canada from https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/experiences/ciel-sky and https://www.hungry416.com/best-spots-for-stargazing-in-toronto-ontario-nearby/

The level of brightness was sourced from https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=10.00&lat=48.3548&lon=-89.3248&state=eyJiYXNlbWFwIjoiTGF5ZXJCaW5nUm9hZCIsIm92ZXJsYXkiOiJ3YV8yMDE1Iiwib3ZlcmxheWNvbG9yIjpmYWxzZSwib3ZlcmxheW9wYWNpdHkiOiI2MCIsImZlYXR1cmVzb3BhY2l0eSI6Ijg1In0=

The number of nearby campgrounds was sourced from https://gorving.ca/campgrounds/ 

The amount of rainfall was sourced from climatedata.org, with the nearest weather point to the destination being used. 

Air quality was sourced from https://weather.com/en-JM/forecast/air-quality/l/e9de43e6527ab195eb2ac0aa8ea4a53e484aa7ae37f5ec5eb8b388fae1b6e6be and was collected on the 29th April 2025. 

The number of hotels in the nearby areas was sourced from Tripadvisor. 

The review score was found using Google Reviews 

All data was compiled by Journeyscape and collected in April 2025 and is correct as of then.