Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve
There is no denying that Alberta has some of the most beautiful places to see in Canada and some might say the world. But this also counts for the night sky. Alberta might be one of the best places to see the night sky in the world. This is because of the variety of sites you can see while stargazing, if you want mountainous ranges, forestry areas, and lakes while viewing the night they have and it’s easily accessible for everyone. Trust me when I say adding the mountainous views and everything else to you’re night sky experience just makes everything more magical! Beaver Hills is no exception and offers amazing night sky viewing experiences for being extremely close to the city compared to other places. The Dark Sky Preserve Resides over plenty of places to view the night sky!
Elk Island National Park
Photo By: @chongweirdo
Located Around a half hour away from Edmonton lies the Elk Island National Park. I wish I had a place that would provide a similar experience in Ontario for not being too far from me. The National Park Provides Lakes and Woodland views with the night sky which is something I can truly appreciate, it just adds to the experience. Makes you feel more relaxed. On top of that the Aurora Borealis is also viewable at the park, of course, we recommend checking Aruroa Alert Apps to see when it would be predictable to see them. Camping is also available at the National Park to add to the night Sky experience, click Here for more info! Stay the night and enjoy the marvelous night sky the universe has blessed us with!
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Photo By: @chongweirdo
Located 50 minutes away from Edmonton resides Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. One of my favorite things to do when stargazing is relax on a beach a stare up into the sky, Which is easily doable at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park since it has a nice sandy beach to lay a map to lie down and look up. The park also has comfort camping for those who don’t really like the feel of traditional front country campsites and tents. This makes it a truly beginner-friendly experience for those who may have not gone stargazing or camping before. The park also has Aurora Borealis available to see which makes it all the more worth it to go check out. If you’re interested in camping click Here. Bnbs in the area are also a viable option but please note you probably won’t have access to the provincial park at night!
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
Photo By: Redd F
Varying in distance depending on where you go Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation area can range from a half hour to 50 minutes away from Edmonton. Providing a more swampy feeling while stargazing, which is a unique experience in my opinion. I really like it. Now the park is open from 7am-11pm so camping is not an option for those interested in that aspect. But it’s perfect for those just looking for a nighttime hike and looking at the stars while doing so. There are open areas for those who may want to bring a telescope with them to view, it’s a great idea. Snowshoeing as well will allow you to see the night sky and experience the amazing cold, it’s an experience I personally love. Since the park is open only until 11pm its best to be there for before nightfall and just make you’re set when night fall comes to get the most out of the experience!
