Where to find the darkest skies in Nova Scotia

Did you know that Nova Scotia has some of the darkest skies in the country, allowing you to see some of the brightest stars in North America?

The Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq lands region is located in southwestern Nova Scotia and is the first destination in North America to receive a Starlight Reserve and Destination designation by the Starlight foundation. It’s one of only four places with this designation in the world!

Here’s where you can experience the dark sky in Nova Scotia.

Guided Stargazing at Trout Point Lodge

Trout Point Lodge, a luxury wilderness resort located about 30 minutes inland from the town of Yarmouth, lies within the core zone of the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands Starlight Tourist Destination, and is immediately adjacent to a certified Starlight Region: the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.

Equipped with a stargazing platform, advanced telescopic equipment, and a knowledgeable staff astronomer, the resort offers star- and solar-gazing excursions. The views are breathtaking and can include amazing meteor showers and glimpses of the aurora borealis.

Deep Sky Eye Observatory

Visit the Deep Sky Eye Observatory in Tusket, Nova Scotia for the Nocturnal Theatre experience. Outdoors, under the beauty of the Milky Way, you will sit back under a warm blanket and learn to navigate the night sky. Through an outdoor projector, you will take in the views from the observatory telescope and have a chance to view the skies through the outdoor telescope.

Your stargazing experience doesn’t need to end there. Why not spend the night in one of the on-site Sky Bubbles, where you will find a cozy bed nestled inside of a clear vinyl dome, giving you an uninterrupted view of the night skies all night long.

Two people sitting in camping chairs at the Deep Sky observatory in Quinan, Nova Scotia — Stargazing at Deep Sky Eye Observatory

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Visit Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and experience its Dark-Sky Preserve. Here you will learn how the stars have inspired centuries of storytelling, songwriting, and legends.

Parks Canada offers numerous programs to help you explore and learn about the night skies.

Participate in an outdoor show where you will experience incredible imagery, music, and stories, and even questions about extraterrestrial life.
Join a guided night hike or campfire and learn how artificial light affects humans and wildlife, and learn about the importance of the Dark-Sky Preserve.
Set out on a night-time canoe excursion for an extra-special perspective of the night sky.

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Additional locations ideal for observing the dark sky preserve in the region include:

Wedgeport Nature Trail: This newly renovated trail includes an accessible viewing platform, and you can borrow a telescope from the Wedgeport Tuna Museum.
Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park: Camp overnight in the park to really enjoy the night skies.
Cape Forchu Lighthouse: Visit the lighthouse for stunning views of the night sky.