Dark Sky and Astrotourism in Hope, Cascades & Canyons
Photo Credits: @kevin.suderman on Instagram
Although Hope, Cascades & Canyons is well known for its exciting day time activities and breathtaking sights, it is just as gorgeous in the dead of night. Due to the lack of light pollution in most of our area, we experience incredible displays of our galaxy that litter the sky with bright stars, planets and more. Here’s what you need to know to get the full effect of Hope, Cascades & Canyons’ epic night skies.
The Best Spots
Photo Credits: @happytrailzjk on Instagram
Highway 3/Manning Park
Highway 3 is arguably the best place in Hope, Cascades & Canyons to experience our incredible dark skies. Due to having virtually no light pollution, the infinite spattering of stars makes it hard to call it a dark sky at all!
Although, anywhere along Highway 3 is a good spot to view the dark skies, some of the best spots in this area can be found in Manning Park. The Lightning Lake day use area and the Cascade Lookout are certainly among the very best spots there are to experience the infinitely populated starry skies!
Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area
You will also find very few sources of light pollution in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area. Here, you can hike up the towering cascades of the area to not only gain a high, and likely deserted, vantage point of the dark skies but you will also have an unbelievable view of the surrounding peaks, illuminated by the moon on a clear night.
Hope
Hope’s night sky offers a combination of city lights and night sky. Climb the Hope Lookout Trail, Dragon’s Back Trail or, for a simpler journey, check out Thacker Mountain Loop to capture our glorious night sky and the city of Hope in one view!
Telescope Rentals
Photo Credits: @patricklukhk on Instagram
If you don’t already have your own telescope, Hope, Cascades & Canyons has you covered! Here are a couple places where you can rent a telescope to get the most out of the dark skies:
Manning Park Resort
Manning Park Resort has table-top telescope rentals from the front desk of the resort. Contact their front desk to book yours!
Hope Public Library/FVRL
With the use of an FVRL card, a tabletop telescope can be shipped to any FVRL location for you to pick up and can be used for up to 3 weeks. Along with the telescope you will receive 2 lenses and a basic book about night skies and tips on observing them. Be sure to organize your telescope pick-up ahead of time to avoid complications.
Manning Park’s Dark Sky Weekend
Photo Credits: @happytrailzjk on Instagram
Manning Park Resort is hosting their annual Dark Sky Astronomy Weekend event for stargazers from October 15th-17th! In this unique experience, you’ll have a front row seat to star experts, from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, as they guide you on a tour of the night skies in the alpine! Tickets grant you access to all the workshops where you can learn how to get the most out of your stargazing adventures as well as access to all events (must purchase the Cascade Stargazer Package for the Cascade Lookout event)!
As always, and most especially during your nighttime adventures in Hope, Cascades & Canyons, we implore you to explore safely and responsibly. Be sure to pack extra warm clothes and know the area before you explore. Remember to always practice proper wildlife etiquette and always have at least one adventure buddy with you.
We can’t wait to see what amazing dark skies you witness in our area! And be sure to book your tickets for Manning Park Resort’s Dark Sky Weekend soon as they will be sold out soon!
