This year has been (and still is) filled with celestial events, from the upcoming full moon Supermoon to this past spring’s Great North American solar eclipse and a planetary parade that was more than two centuries in the making! Before the summer ends, try visiting one of these spots relatively close to Toronto to stargaze, connect with nature, and view the awe-inspiring night skies.
Evergreen Forest, Bruce Peninsula
Connect with nature in the wilderness near Wiarton, ON. The forest resort is surrounded by nature in the Bruce Peninsula area, making it the perfect spot to get away for a night with friends, or the ultimate romantic getaway. Accommodations include the clear-roofed Constellation Suites with gorgeous skylights high above your bed, which will make it feel like you’re sleeping under the heavens.  When the skies are clear, visitors can also join the free Telescope Nights to view a sea of glittering stars.
Address:Â 381135 Concession 17, Georgian Bluffs
Four Corners Algonquin, Algonquin Provincial Park
Before the summer ends, try weekend camping at Algonquin Park. Create your own unique glamping getaway using one of the park’s transparent dome bubble tents! You and your partner can fall asleep to shooting stars, gentle raindrops, or rustling leaves while keeping you bug-free and super close to the Algonquin wilderness. The park is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Toronto, but worth it to end your summer vacation — it’s designated as an “observatory” site, so you’ll be provided with an official night-sky forecast with data populated by the Canadian Meteorological Society.
Address:Â 29924 ON-60, Whitney
Long Point Eco-Adventures, Lake Erie
Just over a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Toronto on the shores of Lake Erie, you’ll find an expansive outdoor activity resort that houses an observatory dome with a 16-inch telescope! It’s the second-largest public viewing scope in southern Ontario and provides plenty of stargazing opportunities. The two-hour Observatory Dome Experience will include a trained tour guide who will show you the most gorgeous constellations in the night sky (and explain the stories behind them). Or check out the site’s glamping yurts and suites to reconnect with nature on Lake Erie.
Location: 1730 Front Road, Turkey Point
Muskoka Waterfront Retreat, Muskoka region
This private waterfront beach nestled on the shores of the Lake of Bays offers 3.5 acres of open space, making it the perfect spot to view the night skies. Opt to stay in one of eight super comfortable standalone cabins or 12 individual suites. Make sure to check out the Under the Night Sky program to explore the stars, planets, galaxies, and nebulae with a state-of-the-art field telescope, under the direction of a trained naturalist. Stargazing is a popular Muskoka nighttime activity, so you will want to add this destination to your bucket list before the summer ends.
Location: 1091 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight
The Torrance Barrens Conservation Area and Dark Sky Reserve, Muskoka
Another Muskoka favorite — this site is the world’s first permanently designated Dark Sky Reserve, so it’s a top location for viewing the cosmos and world-renowned for its night sky. The vast expanses of Canadian Shield bedrock will provide an unobstructed surface from which to observe the sky, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the heavens. Visitors from across the globe have left glowing reviews about the area, stating that it’s the perfect spot to view everything from shooting stars to Supermoons! The reserve is only a two-hour drive from downtown Toronto, so make sure to check it out when the nights are still warm.
Location: Southwood Rd, Gravenhurst, ON P0C 1M0
