Step out onto a moonlit trail and watch Kananaskis’ night sky unfold. This guided, 2-hour stargazing hike near Nakiska pairs easy walking with stellar views and optional astrophotography.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The forest exhales in the cold night air as you step onto the trail, headlamp beams puncturing pockets of black. Pine and spruce lean close; the moon scours the snow into silver curves. Your guide pauses at a clearing and the sky opens—an ocean of pinpricks and slow-moving satellites that make the mountains feel both small and immediate.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Light walking on groomed or compacted trail; participants should be comfortable standing outdoors in cold for short periods.
Wildlife
History
Nakiska was developed for the 1988 Winter Olympics and the area sits on lands long used by Indigenous peoples for seasonal movement and resource gathering.
Conservation
Kananaskis benefits from dark-sky initiatives and low light use—stay on trails, avoid bright lights during viewing, and pack out waste to protect nocturnal habitat.
Reserve your spot on the Stargazing Tour - Kananaskis After Dark today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Temperatures can drop sharply after sunset—base layer, insulating midlayer, and a waterproof outer shell keep you comfortable.
Bring a warm, insulated boot
Snow and cold ground make insulated, waterproof footwear and good traction essential for comfort and safety.
Limit flashlight use
Use red mode on headlamps or keep lights off during viewing to preserve night vision for everyone.
Carry a camera tripod
If you want to try astrophotography, a sturdy tripod and a camera with manual settings will improve long-exposure shots.
Insulated winter boots
Keeps feet warm and dry on snowy trails and in meadows.
winter
Headlamp with red-light mode
Hands-free light for the hike that preserves group night vision when switched to red.
Warm layers (base, mid, shell)
Layering lets you manage body temperature as you stop for stargazing.
Tripod and camera (optional)
Stabilizes long exposures for astrophotography during the meadow stop.