Whenever there are clear skies is a good time for stargazing in Manning Park! We often recommend fall as it gets dark earlier, although if you stay up in the spring or summer it can be warmer for star viewing.

Winter also provides a good opportunity on cold clear nights, due to the cold, dry air, as it holds less moisture in the atmosphere and the sky appears more clear than in warmer months.

There are great stargazing locations around the park. Some of them are open seasonally. Have a look at some of our recommended stargazing locations above.

In Manning Park, as we are in an alpine environment, we recommend to dress warmly.The best way to be prepared is to bring lots of warm layers to dress in. We recommend warm clothing, including gloves, toques and scarves and good base layers to keep you warm.

Good boots and thick socks are highly recommended.

Stargazing can be great with or without a telescope! You can also bring a good pair of binoculars.

Manning Park Resort rents telescopes through our Telescope Loan program. Read about these Celestron telescopes here. 

There is also a telescope loan program through the Fraser Valley Regional Library. You can borrow a telescope using just your library card! To learn more about this program and to reserve your telescope, visit: https://www.fvrl.bc.ca/telescopes.php

OR

Become a member of RASC! One of the benefits of being a RASC Vancouver member is access to their loaner telescopes. Learn more here: http://rasc-vancouver.com/membership/telescope-loans/

For outdoor stargazing, it is recommended you to use red lights only. This helps protect your night vision so that your eyes can stay adjusted in the dark.

You can make your regular flashlight or headlamp into a red light by covering the light with some red cellophane and securing it with an elastic band. 

With the closest towns being 65km away, there is very limited light pollution in Manning Park, which makes for excellent dark sky viewing! Click here to see the location of Manning Park on the Clear Dark Sky light pollution map, and check the forecast to try to plan for clear night skies.