Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park named the best place for stargazing
A Canadian national park is the best place in the world for stargazing, says a new report.
Travel agency Inghams released the report on Tuesday, finding that Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, situated on the Canada-U.S. border in Waterton Lakes National Park and Montana's Glacier National Park, was the top spot among 122 locations around the world.
Using global search data, Google reviews and AllTrails scores, the park was the only Canadian location in the top 15 sites of the list.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"With its snow-capped mountains, glaciers and stunning rugged rock formations, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a beautiful place to explore during daylight hours, as well as when the sun goes down," Inghams wrote in a news release.
Waterton was granted dark sky status in 2017 due to its efforts to protect and conserve its dark skies.
That was due to Parks Canada's promotion of responsible night-time lighting, which also improves the environment for nocturnal wildlife.
"Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park tops the index of Best Starry Night Experiences with an impressive 4.9 stars on Google Business, and an AllTrails score of 4.8," officials said.
"Coupled with the fact that it remains fairly unknown in terms of Google search volumes, this dark sky park offers a peaceful and unforgettable stargazing adventure."
Parks Canada says it's "thrilled" that Waterton received the recognition.
"This accolade is a testament to the pristine skies and unspoiled natural beauty of the area, which Parks Canada is committed to protecting," officials said in statement.
"The park's unique geographical features create an unparalleled backdrop for astronomical observation, allowing both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers to explore the wonders of the universe."
There are 13 other dark sky preserves in the Parks Canada system and officials say each one offers "unique celestial spectacles and pristine night skies."
Further details on Parks Canada's other dark sky preserves can be found online.
Inghams' Top 20 World Parks for the Best Starry Night Experience
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada;
- Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park, South Korea;
- Ainos National Park, Greece;
- Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory, USA;
- UbarU Camp and Retreat Center, USA;
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, USA;
- Hehuan Mountain, Taiwan;
- De Borschplaat, Netherlands;
- Elan Valley Estate, Wales;
- Naturpark Attersee-Traunsee, Austria;
- OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, Northern Ireland;
- North Fork Park, USA;
- Flagstaff Area National Monuments, USA;
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, USA; and
- Oxford Forest Conservation Area, New Zealand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police find bag carried by gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, say he likely fled NYC on bus
Investigators found a backpack in Central Park that was carried by the shooter, police said Friday, following a massive sweep to find it in a vast area with lakes and ponds, meadows, playgrounds and a densely wooded section called 'The Ramble.'
A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the Polytechnique massacre
Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his 30 years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he captured with his lens at the Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. He described the day of the Montreal massacre to CTV Quebec Bureau Chief Genevieve Beauchemin.
Quebec premier wants to ban praying in public
Premier François Legault took advantage of the last day of the parliamentary session on Friday to announce to 'Islamists' that he will 'fight' for Quebec values and possibly use the notwithstanding clause to ban prayer in public places such as parks.
Northern Ontario man sentenced for killing his dog
WARNING: This article contains graphic details of animal abuse which may be upsetting to some readers. A 40-year-old northern Ontario man is avoiding prison after pleading guilty to killing his dog earlier this year.
'Home Alone' house up for sale for US$3.8 million in Chicago suburb – but not the one you're thinking of
Social media sleuths noticed that the house next door to the iconic 'Home Alone' house in Winnetka is now up for sale.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Did daily cannabis use go up after Canada legalized it?
Health Canada says daily cannabis use has remained stable since it was legalized in 2018.