Dark Sky Events, Northern Lights & Stargazing on Manitoulin Island
Come See What Can Only Be Seen In The Dark
Welcome to Manitoulin Eco Park & DarkSky, home to Canada's first commercially operated Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) designated Dark Sky Preserve. Located on Manitoulin Island, far from major city lights, our DarkSky Preserve offers some of Ontario's darkest skies for Aurora Borealis viewing, Milky Way photography, meteor showers, astronomy programs, and unforgettable nights under the stars.
Whether you're hoping to witness the Northern Lights dancing overhead, photograph the Milky Way, experience a meteor shower, learn about the constellations, or simply reconnect with nature beneath a truly dark sky, our events are designed to help you experience the night the way it was meant to be experienced.
This isn't a vacation.
It's a reconnection.
Join us for Astronomy Nights, Aurora Hunting, Stargazing Night Hikes, Perseid Meteor Shower events, and private astronomy experiences in one of Ontario's premier dark sky destinations.
Open to overnight guests and day visitors.
Northern Lights Viewing In Ontario
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, can occasionally be seen across Ontario when solar activity is strong enough.
Our location on Manitoulin Island offers excellent conditions for aurora viewing thanks to low light pollution, wide-open viewing areas, and naturally dark skies.
While no one can guarantee aurora activity, visitors regularly join our Aurora Hunting events to learn how Northern Lights form, how to read aurora forecasts, and how to improve their chances of witnessing one of nature's most spectacular displays.
On active nights, the sky can come alive with dancing green, purple, red, and white curtains of light stretching across the horizon.
Many visitors arrive hoping to see the Aurora and leave amazed by something equally unforgettable: the Milky Way, thousands of visible stars, planets, satellites, meteors, and a darkness most people have never truly experienced.
DarkSky Events
See stars, planets, constellations and galaxies you definitely cannot see in the city and the Milky Way in such detail it will be like seeing them for the first time. Our Astronomy Nights are full of fun and learning for the whole family.
An immersive adventure through our hardwood forest after dark, with a combined focus on nocturnal wildlife & orienting by stars. During this hike you will get to experience all the wonders our nighttime forest has to offer!
Private session in our DarkSky Preserve with individualized attention from Astronomy Guides and extra time gazing through our professional grade telescope and binoculars or for a 2-hr guided night hike under a stellar view on our trails.
Orientation to the DarkSky Preserve, Campground & Observation Field
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The DarkSky Preserve or DSP includes an observation field plus campsites, the Stargazing Cabin, and Milky Way Bunkie for overnight guests. As a courtesy please keep voices low and cell phones on silent after sunset
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No white light is allowed in the DSP including no campfires, cell phone screens, or vehicle headlights.
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While we encourage event participants to walk without artificial light as much as possible, as a safety measure please be sure to bring your own flashlights and/or headlamps with AMBER or RED filters sufficient to colour and significantly dim the light shining through (you can attach cloth or cellophane paper with tape).
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Astronomy guides will be at the front and back of the group with amber or red light sources.
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On standard settings, cell phones should not be used as flashlights, or for taking pictures due to the white light of their screens and flashes. Alternatively, you can download an AMBER OR RED LIGHT app for your smartphone.
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No laser pointers of any kind or strength (other than in use by our astronomy staff).
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The DSP gate is closed to vehicles after sunset.
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During all astronomy events, for safety all guests should stay with their guide and the group at all times. If you need to leave the event early for any reason, please be sure to notify one of the astronomy guides before you go.