Ever get tired of glaring city lights? There’s just no place to see the starry night sky if you live in an urban area. That’s why I always miss astronomical events—you just don’t see them from the city!

Sure, we need to drive further away from the city just to catch a glimpse of the stars. But believe me when I say driving in Canada for an hour or two (or three!) is worth taking once you see the difference between city lights and a dark sky.

Forget planetariums! In Ontario, we can have the real deal! Here are our favourite places for stargazing, where we witnessed the grandeur of the universe—you might see the Milky Way if you’re lucky!

North Frontenac Astronomy Park

Website: https://www.northfrontenac.com/en/ 

Location: 5816 Road 506, Plevna

Contact:

• (613) 479-2231
• Toll-Free – 1 (800) 234-3953
• [email protected]

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 24 hours

Admission: Free

North Frontenac Astronomy Park is the ultimate stargazing destination in Ontario. It’s a Dark Sky Preserve and was actually the first municipality in Canada to earn the title from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) back on August 3, 2013.

It’s an open area with plenty of space for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts. There’s even a 16″ Fred Lossing Telescope that’s available for events.

Look out for the new moon status so you can visit at the best time. So bring out your telescope and see the beautiful Milky Way, unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed.

Gordon’s Park

Website: https://www.manitoulinecopark.com/ 

Location: Manitoulin Eco Park & DarkSky, 18777 ON-6, Tehkummah

Contact: Online form at the website

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 24 hours

Admission:

• Night Pass – $10
• Camping – depending on the campground

Nature lovers and stargazers will love Manitoulin Eco Park. This was the first RASC-designated commercial Dark Sky Preserve, making it a stellar place to discover the night sky.

This is also the ideal spot if you want a quiet place to watch the stars, see the Northern Lights, and catch the Perseid meteor shower. You can even camp right in the forest if you’re waiting to see the most perfect night sky.

There’s a large open field that provides a 360° viewing experience, where you can witness 7.5+ magnitude stars. Or you can join Dark Sky Events and share your enthusiasm with other people—a stargazing night hike, anyone?

Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre

Websites:

• https://oec.bwdsb.on.ca/ 
• https://www.bluewaterastronomy.com/

Location: 3092 Bruce Rd 13, South Bruce Peninsula

Contact: Via contact form

Operating Hours: 

• Regular hours, Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Public viewing events: varying times

Admission: Free (public viewing events)

The Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre is home to the E.S. Fox Observatory, which is in partnership with the Bluewater Astronomical Society (BAS). In November 2012, it received the Dark Sky Preserve designation by RASC.

It’s a non-profit organisation that welcomes anyone who wants to watch and appreciate astronomy. They host public viewing events where you can bring your telescope, binoculars, and cameras.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a long-time astro-nut. You can ask the members if you’re unsure how to operate our telescope and they will gladly accommodate you!

While there are no passes to attend the events, donations are greatly appreciated to help fund their organisation. The money will go towards maintenance, upgrades, and outreach programs.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve

Website: https://www.torrancebarrens.com/ 

Location: Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve, Southwood Rd, Gravenhurst

Contact: Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve – (705) 564-3165

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday 24 hours

Admission: Free

You can visit the vast expanse of Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve, just a little over an hour from Barrie. This nature preserve offers an uninterrupted 360° view of the night sky, perfect for stargazers.

There’s a granite surface that’s free from vibrations, making it an ideal spot to set up your gear. So, bring your telescope and camera gear and wait for the stars to illuminate the sky’s tapestry.

You can camp at one of the designated campsites (look out for an orange signage with a tent on it). These places are free but come early as the spots are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area

Website: https://naturallyla.ca/ 

Location: 7980 Lennox and Addington County Rd 41, Erinsville

Contact: Via contact form

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 24 hours

Admission: Free

Lennox and Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is around three hours from Toronto. This Ontario spot offers magnificent views of the stars that are close to what you would have seen a hundred years ago.

It’s the ultimate destination for photographers, as there’s a large, expanded concrete pad for your gear. There’s even a fence in the southern part of the viewing area to prevent vehicle lights from coming in.

If you’re itching to see the stellar sky with like-minded individuals, they host events from April to October.

On that note, extending your stay is highly recommended. Although camping isn’t allowed, you can find plenty of lodging around the area.

Four Corners Algonquin

Website: https://www.fourcornersalgonquin.ca/ 

Location: 29924 ON-60, Whitney

Contact:

• (613) 637-2000
• [email protected]

Operating Month: June – October

Admission: Depending on the accommodation

On the hunt for a luxury stargazing experience? Four Corners Algonquin is the ultimate destination for a stellar journey.

You don’t have to go off the grid here. Instead, you can go camping, glamping (glamping ontario), or stay in a tiny cottage while waiting for the perfect hour to catch the Perseid meteor shower at the Stargazing Area.

Even non-guests are welcome to come by to watch the cosmos and the glimmering stars. But if you want to elevate your experience, you can book a bubble tent for some luxury stargazing.

Killarney Provincial Park Observatory

Website: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/parksblog/killarney-dark-sky-preserve/ 

Location: 958 ON-637, Killarney

Contact: (705) 287-2900

Operating Hours: 

• Sunday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Friday – Saturday: 7:30 am – 7:00 pm

Admission: Daily Vehicle Permit – $6 – $21 (depending on vehicle and discount)

In 2012, the RASC designated the Killarney Provincial Park a Dark Sky Preserve. It was the first provincial park in Ontario to receive such a status, making it a must-visit!

One of the best parts about visiting is you get an all-in-one experience. You can hike, bike, kayak, and see the beauty of the cosmos.

The park has a 16″ telescope with full computer and smartphone control for the ultimate stargazing experience. It also has a 5″ refractor attached to it for astrophotography.

Bruce Peninsula Provincial Park

Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/bruce 

Location: Bruce Peninsula Provincial Park, Tobermory

Contact: 

• General Information – (519) 596-2233
• Camping Office – (519) 596-2364

Operating Hours: May 1 – October 31, Monday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Parks Canada Visitor Centre)

Daily Park Admission:

• Adult – $9
• Senior – $7.75
• Youth – Free
• Family/Group – $17.50
• Commercial Group (per person) -$7.65

Bruce Peninsula Provincial Park is one of the top spots for stargazing in Ontario. It’s a three-hour drive from Barrie, a quick day trip to get away from the glaring city lights.

This designated Dark Sky Preserve sits right in between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The location is the ultimate spot for photographers, nature lovers, and stargazers. You can catch both the beautiful sky and the peninsula.

Here, you can join the Bayside Astronomy Program for free and learn about anything cosmos-related, which caps off with a viewing of the night sky using telescopes. It’s located at Lion’s Head in the southern part of the park.

Quetico Provincial Park

Website: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/quetico 

Location: Quetico Provincial Park, ON-11

Contact: (807) 597-2735

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Admission:

• Reservation Fee – $11
• Adult Camping Fee – $14.97 – $21.47
• Youth Camping Fee – $6.50 – $8.48

The latest spot in Ontario to receive the designation of a Dark Sky Preserve status is Quetico Provincial Park. It’s in the northwestern part, home to natural beauty.

The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) recognized it as an International Dark Sky Park. The natural environment of the place makes it a top spot for stargazing, as it’s free from light pollution.

You can stay at one of the campsites and witness the starry sky from there. Photographers will love this place because you can capture the silhouettes of the forest under the night sky.

Point Pelee National Park

Website: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/pelee 

Location: 1118 Point Pelee Dr, Leamington

Contact: 

• (519) 322-2365
• Parks Canada Toll-free: 1 (888) 773-8888

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm

Admission: 

• Adult – $9
• Senior – $7.75
• Youth – Free
• Family/Group – $17.50
• Commercial Group (per person) – $7.65

One of the best stargazing spots in South Ontario is Point Pelee National Park. In May 2006, it was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the RASC.

The nighttime sky at Point Pelee is breathtaking—every picture will turn out like an ad. If you’re lucky, there’s a perfect spot right on the beach where you can shoot a star trail of the meteor.

If you plan on spending a few nights, you can stay at Camp Henry at one of the oTENTik sites in the park. This will bring you closer to witnessing the starry sky.