Alberta has no shortage of gorgeous places to go stargazing, but did you know five areas across the province are officially recognized for their exceptionally dark skies? The Dark Sky Preserves are designated to protect natural night skies from light pollution, making them great spots to see constellations, the Milky Way, and even the Northern Lights.
Here’s where to find all five, along with some of the best places to take in the views.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada officially designated Jasper National Park a Dark-Sky Preserve in 2011. The Preserve covers more than 11,000 square kilometres, and it’s the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world.
Some of the best places to take in the night sky include Pyramid Island, Jasper Lake, and Old Fort Point, all of which offer different views of the surrounding mountains and stars. You can also spot the Milky Way during the summer months and potentially catch the Northern Lights on clear nights.
The town even hosts an annual Dark Sky Festival every October, bringing together astronomy enthusiasts and visitors for a lineup of events celebrating the night sky.
Where: 500 Connaught Dr., Jasper, Alta.
Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area became a Dark Sky Preserve in 2016, making it the fifth designated preserve in Alberta. The park is located about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton and spans 590 square kilometres. It’s known for its forest, lakes and wetlands, along with its exceptionally dark skies.
There are five designated astronomy viewing sites throughout the park, all accessible by vehicle, so you won’t have to venture into the backcountry to find a good stargazing spot. One of the recommended locations is the Pinehurt Lake Day Use Area, which offers panoramic views of the north, east and west.
Where: 9503 Beaverhill Rd., Lac la Biche, Alta.
Cypress Hills is one of the best-known stargazing destinations in Alberta, thanks to its high elevation and distance from major sources of light pollution. The preserve stretches across the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, with the West Block Wilderness Area considered to be its darkest section.
Where: 27 km south of Maple Creek on Hwy. 21
Beaver Hills is located about 50 kilometres east of Edmonton and covers approximately 300 square kilometres, including Elk Island National Park, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park and the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial and Recreation Area. Two of the main viewing locations are Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park and the Hesje Observatory at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park.
Where: 52521 Range Rd. 211, Uncas, Alta.
Stretching across northeastern Alberta and into the Northwest Territories, Wood Buffalo National Park is home to the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve. The Park received its designation in 2013 and covers more than 44,000 square kilometres, making it one of the most remote places in the country to take in the night sky.
And if being home to the world’s largest Dark-Sky Preserve wasn’t enough, the park is also home to the world’s largest beaver dam. The dam is nearly 800 metres long, and it is so large that it can be spotted in satellite images from space. It’s located deep within the park, far from any roads or marked trails, and was first discovered in satellite imagery in 2007.
Where: Directions to Wood Buffalo National Park
Now you know exactly where to go when you want to get a better look at the night sky!
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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