Banff at night: Best stargazing locations in Banff National Park
Some say as a Canadian if you haven’t visited Banff National Park you aren’t truly Canadian. Canada’s oldest and most scenic national park is home to beautiful mountain ranges, diverse wildlife, and some of the most stunning views in the world. In addition to the remarkable visual displays during the day, Banff has some great locations for stargazing and almost like it was designed for Nightscape and Astrophotography.
Below I share my favourite locations in Banff National Park for not only stargazing but also locations that have landscapes and interesting subjects you can include for print-worthy photos.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park. It’s a popular picnic area as well as for boating. Facing North from Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, the night view is complemented by beautiful mountains. You can get the classic star trails around Polaris photo or timelapse. Parking is available at the main area at the end of the road but there are also parking options off of the Scenic Drive.
Be sure to keep an eye on the Nothern Lights/Aurora forecast. Since it’s facing North, if you’re lucky and plan accordingly you’ll be able to see a beautiful display of the Northern Lights dancing over the mountains.
Star trails, Lake Minnewanka
Vermillion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes is one of my favourite spots in Banff National Park. It's very close to the town of Banff, a great spot for photography and for just relaxing and enjoying the views. Besides the highway side, every direction provides great visuals. Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, Vermillion Lakes covers it all, including great stargazing and Astrophotography options.
Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park at night
Two Jack Lake
Two Jack Lake is very close to Lake Minnewanka and is another great spot for stargazing at Banff National Park. Be sure to bring your camera as the views facing South/Southwest provides the possibility for amazing shots during “Milkyway season”.
Milkyway seen at Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is known for some of the best displays there is to offer during the day; however, if you’re lucky and bold enough to stay out at night, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the night sky.
Moraine Lake stargazing at the Milkyway
Plan ahead
While Banff National Park is a very good option for stargazing and Astrophotography, factors such as weather and cloud cover will dictate your ability to view the stars. Plan ahead using apps or sites such as www.cleardarksky.com to assist you in your night adventures. While you can’t control cloud cover, you can control where and when you should arrive at a location. There are also apps that will help you navigate when and in which direction the Milkyway galactic core (generally referred to as Milkyway season) is viewable. Be sure to get follow alerts for the Aurora forecast, especially from around September to March as you might be lucky enough to have an experience of a lifetime!
