5 amazing places to go stargazing near Toronto

Dark sky areas for stargazing around Toronto are typically at least a two hour drive from the light of the city, but there are some options a little bit closer that are a vast improvement over downtown skies, and there's even a nearby telescope to try out. With a little effort, the wonders of the heavens above are actually quite easy to enjoy.

Here are 5 amazing places to go stargazing near Toronto.

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve
This is a magical place about two and half hours north of Toronto that's eerily dark, which makes it an excellent spot for stargazing. Situated on crown land, you can camp for free during a meteor shower or when the Northern Lights appear at sub-arctic altitudes (you can also stay in nearby Gravenhurst and drive the 20 minutes to the preserve).

Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area
A rival to the Torrance Barrens, this dark sky viewing area at Lennox and Addington offers respite from light pollution typically experienced in places much further north. It features an observation pad that helps stargazers to navigate in the dark and for amateurs to set up lawn chairs. The drive from Toronto takes about three hours.

Long Point Observatory
Part of Long Point Eco Tours, this observatory features a 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, which will let you see the storms on Jupiter as well as many other fascinating aspects of the night sky. The region isn't as dark as more northerly destinations, but light pollution is low enough that you can also do some decent unmagnified stargazing during your visit.

North Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve
Offering fantastically dark skies given its relative proximity to Toronto and Ottawa, this preserve has a few amenities to make stargazing a bit more comfortable (e.g. washrooms, and electrical hookups). There's also an observation pad and plenty of parking for star-chasers. Some claim this area to be the darkest skies in Southern Ontario.

Binbrook Conservation Area
If you can't make it further away from Toronto's light pollution footprint, this conservation area near Hamilton will work in a pinch. There's a clear view to the horizon in the south, which helps given the presence of light pollution-free Lake Erie in the distance. Numerous amateur astronomy events take place here as does an annual gathering for the Perseid meteor shower.

Did I miss a cool spot? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Zens Lens.

by Derek Flack via blogTO