Waterton Dark Sky Park

When the sun sets in Waterton, tilt your gaze to the night sky and be amazed. As urban centers continue to expand, artificial light pollution further encroaches upon the natural light that burns brightly above. However, our International Peace Park is committed to providing an astounding astronomical experience and protecting it for the benefit of future generations.

An International Dark Sky Park is an area protected for natural conservation that possesses an exceptional starry night sky. With 100 Dark Sky Designations on Earth, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park became the world’s first international trans-boundary Dark Sky Park in 2017. We must use dark sky compliant light fixtures and provide programs while continually investing in new dark sky initiatives to receive this designation.

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Top 3 Reasons for Maintaining Dark Skies

  1. Astronomy and Education: They provide optimal conditions for stargazing, allowing both amateur and professional astronomers to observe celestial events without light pollution. This fosters interest in science and education about astronomy.
  2. Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Reduced artificial lighting helps maintain natural ecosystems. Many nocturnal animals rely on darkness for their behaviors, including hunting and mating, and light pollution can disrupt these patterns.
  3. Sustainable Practices: Dark sky parks promote awareness of light pollution and encourage communities to adopt more sustainable lighting practices, leading to energy conservation and reduced environmental impact.

100

Dark Sky Designations Worldwide

1st

International Dark Sky Preserve
Dark Sky

Waterton Stargazing Experiences

If you don’t have binoculars, you can still expect to see thousands of stars twinkling overhead. And depending on the time of your visit, you can observe:

  • Craters on the face of a full moon
  • The Milky Way on a night without moonlight
  • A clear visual of a meteor shower
  • Northern Lights – you can frequently catch a glimpse!
Out-About

Stargaze with the Dark Sky Guides

For those who are new to astronomy or without stargazing equipment, you can book a guided Dark Sky tour with Dark Sky Guides, who offer guided interpretive nighttime tours and stargazing opportunities in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Book Today