Alberta has no shortage of beautiful views, but some of the best ones happen when the sun goes down. Across the province, you’ll find places where the city lights start to fade away and the night sky takes centre stage.
And thanks to Alberta’s wide-open landscapes and remote areas, the province is home to several dark sky preserves, which are areas protected from light pollution to help give you a clear view of the stars above. But beyond those protected areas, there are plenty of quiet corners where you can still enjoy an amazing view of the sky.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best places to stargaze across Alberta.
Starting things off strong with Jasper National Park, which is easily one of Alberta’s most iconic places to stargaze. As the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, the park offers some of the best conditions for viewing the night sky thanks to its remote location and limited pollution.
And while there are plenty of places to take in the stars throughout Jasper, Pyramid Lake is a favourite spot thanks to its peaceful lakeside setting and gorgeous mountain backdrop.
Where: Pyramid Lake Road, Jasper National Park, Alta.
Tucked away in southeastern Alberta near the Saskatchewan border, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is about a two-hour drive from Medicine Hat and is home to another designated dark sky preserve. While many of Alberta’s top stargazing spots are surrounded by mountains, Cypress Hills is known for its rolling hills and open prairie views.
Where: 33 Lakeview Dr., Elkwater, Alta.
A trip to Elk Island National Park might start with wildlife spotting, but don’t pack up once the sun goes down. Located just outside of Edmonton, the park takes on a completely different feel after dark, and it’s worth sticking around for. Away from the glow of the city, the area offers a much clearer view of the night sky, where you can spot constellations, and if you’re lucky, you may even see the northern lights.
Where: 1-54401 Range Rd. 203, Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
Waterton Lakes National Park takes stargazing a step further with guided dark sky tours that make it easy to learn about the stars and spot different features of the night sky. Dark Sky Guides offer tours year-round, and depending on conditions, you may even be able to see planets, constellations and the Milky Way glowing above the mountain peaks.
Where: 404 Cameron Falls Dr., Waterton Lakes National Park, Alta.
If you want to do more than just look up at the stars, head over to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory just outside Calgary. Operated by the University of Calgary, the observatory gives visitors a chance to learn more about the night sky through its telescopes and astronomy programs. And while the observatory isn’t open to the public on a regular basis, it hosts a variety of different events throughout the year where visitors can get involved.
Where: 210 Ave. W. Hwy. 22 S., Foothills County, Alta.
So next time you’re looking for something to do after dark, grab a blanket, pick a spot and see what Alberta’s skies have to offer.
Happy stargazing!
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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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