One of the world's largest dark-sky preserves, with world-class stargazing and aurora.
What to Expect
Jasper National Park is the second-largest dark-sky preserve in the world, protecting a vast area of natural darkness. On a moonless night the Milky Way blazes overhead, planets and satellites are easy to spot, and autumn brings the chance of northern lights.
Pyramid Lake and Lake Annette are popular stargazing spots with easy access and open sky. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival each October brings astronomers, telescopes and guest speakers for a month of guided sky viewing.
Best Time to Visit
September–March for the longest, darkest nights; the Dark Sky Festival runs in October.
Practical Tips
Free and accessible anywhere with open sky in the park — Pyramid Island and Lake Annette are the easiest spots. Bring warm layers; nights are cold even in summer. A red-light headlamp preserves night vision.
Where to Stay
Jasper townsite has hotels, cabins and hostels within walking distance of trails; the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge sits lakeside just outside town.
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Tickets, tours and stays for your Jasper trip — all in one place.
Evening · Free
Hikers, wildlife watchers & road-trippers
More things to do in Jasper
Jasper SkyTram
Aerial tramway to The Whistlers summit above Jasper townsite.
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island Cruise
Boat cruise on the Rockies' largest glacial lake to iconic Spirit Island.
Maligne Canyon Ice Walk
Limestone slot canyon with bridges over waterfalls — a frozen wonderland in winter.