15 hours ago
7
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The astronomical events that encircle the Earth are alive with the vibrant presence of constellations, auroras, eclipses and comets brimming with wonders. These glorious light shown in the sky never fail to captivate people of all walks of life.
Aside from stargazing, celestial geeks have a keen interest in witnessing the Northern Lights, where multicolored rays dance overhead. More often than not, the question of where to see the aurora borealis in Ontario is tucked away in the search bar of their cell phones.
In this article, we'll take you to discover the best-recommended places to see the Northern Lights in Ontario, as highlighted by various sources.
When is the Best Time to See Northern Lights in Ontario?
An aurora is a natural wonder of light that displays dancing shades of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange in the dark of night. According to National Geographic, the most active auroras occur when the solar wind is strongest.
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Ontario is when the sky is at its darkest, about one to two hours before midnight. Destination Ontario shared that people wanting to see the lights should avoid a full moon and choose either a waning or new moon.
While the Northern Lights can be seen at any time of the year, the recommended times are late fall, early spring and winter, when the cold air has less moisture.
List of Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Ontario
According to Destination Ontario, the Bruce Peninsula National Park and Point Farms Provincial Park are among the top places to see the Northern Lights in Ontario. Other hotspots also include:
1. Bruce Peninsula National Park
No more wondering where to see the Northern Lights in Ontario as you drive through the town of Tobermory. The Bruce Peninsula National Park seems to be one of the greatest conveniences for stargazers. With the towering cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment plunging into the blue waters of Georgian Bay, this picturesque park was designated a Dark Sky Preserve (DSP) in 2009.
2. Point Pelee National Park
In addition to the aurora displays, Point Pelee National Park is the perfect place to experience nature in all its glory. Designated a Dark-Sky Preserve (DSP) in 2006, this eco-adventure park promises the best stargazing experience during select Dark-Sky Nights, when the park is open until midnight. Take advantage of the opportunity to paddle and bike through this scenic area at the southernmost point of mainland Canada.
3. Point Farms Provincial Park
Point Farms Provincial Park is a great place to see the Northern Lights in Ontario, located just north of the town of Goderich. With spectacular views of Lake Huron, your stargazing agenda is guaranteed to be more festive. This pet-friendly area also offers the best camping experience for everyone, providing equipment such as RVs, tents and trailers.
4. North Frontenac Township Dark-Sky Preserve
The first municipality to receive Canada's Dark-Sky Preserve status from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RSAC), North Frontenac Township, also known as North Frontenac Astronomy Park, has the darkest skies in all of Southern Ontario, making it the best place to view the light shows. In addition to the naturally dark night sky, the park also features the 16" Fred Lossing Telescope, free parking, handicapped accessible washrooms, and electrical service.
5. Algonquin Provincial Park
Widely regarded for its vast facade of maple hills, lakes, rivers, forests and rocky ridges, Algonquin Provincial Park captures the best essence of the northern lights gazing through numerous locations within its 7,635 square kilometers area. By default, visitors can enjoy their camping experience at one of the eight campgrounds with amazing wildlife viewing. There is also a variety of hiking and biking trails, birding opportunities, and year-round vacation activities.
6. Killarney Provincial Park
If you want to see the Northern Lights in Ontario from a pristine wilderness perspective, visit Killarney Provincial Park, where the experience of capturing the the starry night sky in a designated area is promised. Along the 645 square kilometers, you will not only capture the multicolored dancing lights but you will also be engaged in extensive adventures. From canoeing, kayaking, hand iking to cross-country skiing in winter.
7. Lake Superior Provincial Park
As Ontario's second provincial park to be designated a Dark Sky Preserve, Lake Superior Provincial Park ranks high among the best places to see the Northern Lights in Ontario for its dark skies. Due to its spectacularly preserved nature, stargazers are advised to be aware of nocturnal creatures such as beavers, wolves and bats.
8. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
With breathtaking views of Lake Superior, this scenic provincial park offers great opportunities to view the Northern Lights. It also offers full-service cabins for year-round vacationers, giving visitors a chance to see wildlife such as wolves, foxes, lynx, deer, and more than 200 species of birds.
If you're wondering where to see the Northern Lights in Ontario, the province offers a number of stunning locations that promise unforgettable views of this celestial phenomenon.
From the towering cliffs of Bruce Peninsula National Park to the pristine wilderness of Killarney Provincial Park, these destinations offer the perfect setting for stargazing and aurora viewing. Once you're ready, don't miss out on some helpful tips on how to photograph the Northern Lights.
Editor's Choice: Top 8 Best Places to See Northern Lights in Europe
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
