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Tours
Discover Your Universe!
Check out the tours we offer and select the experience that matches the pace and style of you and your group.
Update January 31, 2022:
We are excited to two offer brand new winter-specific tour experiences! See below for details.
COVID-19 UPDATE (January 31, 2022):
Dark Sky Guides continues to offer various guided walking tours around Waterton Lakes National Park, with restricted group sizes. The Dark Sky Guides’ 15-passenger tour bus will be utilized for certain tours offered during the summer months, and will be operated in a manner consistent with Alberta Government restrictions.
Please note, to ensure the safest and healthiest tour environment possible, Dark Sky Guides has made the decision that tours WILL NOT offer telescopes, binoculars or other optical stargazing equipment at this time, and until further notice. This decision has been made to reduce guests’ exposure to high-touch surfaces, and to avoid damaging the sensitive optics of the stargazing equipment from extra/additional cleaning/disinfectants.
In the absence of telescopes and other stargazing equipment, all tours will instead focus on immersive storytelling experiences that will be augmented by naked-eye stargazing, and interpretation that encourages guests to explore with all of their senses.
DSG strongly encourages all interested tour participants (“guests”) to consider booking private/custom tours so as to limit your exposure to others and maintain better social distancing, as well as allow our guides to offer a more personable 1-on-1 experience.
Guests are strongly encouraged to bring/wear their own masks at any time during the tour where a minimum 2m. (6') distance cannot be maintained.
Custom Tours with the Dark Sky Guides
Difficulty Rating: Whatever You Want
Contact Us to Learn More or Book a Tour
In this new, post-COVID-19 world, it is our pleasure to provide you with a private experience to discover Waterton Lakes National Park after dark! This tour will be specifically designed to cater to the interests and capabilities of those in your group. Whether you want a Night Sky Discovery Tour, a Dark Sky Adventure Tour, or something else entirely, this is the way to ensure you have the a safe, personal, private tour.
Reserve your desired date now and then we can work out the details soon, or send us a message and get the conversation started by telling us what you are looking for and we’ll help to create something exclusive, just for you!
Can't decide whether you want a Custom Tour, or just a regular tour? Click here to read the FAQs and see the difference.
Photography Workshops
Difficulty Rating: Varies
Learn More Here
The Dark Sky Guides periodically partner with leading photographers to co-host various photography workshops in Waterton Lakes National Park. Some workshops are just a few hours, while others may be multi-night events.
Suited to participants of varying ages and fitness levels.
Cost: Varies
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Duration times vary
Learn more about these workshops
Discover Snowshoeing Tour
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
New in 2022! Our brand new Discover Snowshoeing Tour is a great introductory experience that will teach you how to snowshoe and give you the opportunity to have some fun snowshoeing around Waterton Lakes National Park. This tour takes place in the late-morning hours and may feel physically demanding (depending on your level of fitness), but is a great opportunity for anyone who wishes to try snowshoeing for the first time (or simply wants to snowshoe with a certified Professional 4-Seaon guide and learn about Waterton Lakes National Park)!
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Cost: $55 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Approximately 1.5 hour (duration time may vary slightly)
Snowshoe Winter Adventure Tour
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
New in 2022! Our brand new Snowshoe Winter Adventure Tour takes you out for an exciting snowshoeing adventure during the coldest, darkest months of the year to experience Waterton's Dark Skies beyond the Waterton Townsite.
This is a physical after-dark snowshoe experience recommended for those who are physically-fit, have a little experience snowshoeing, or are feeling adventurous and excited to learn to snowshoe on the fly! Please note that telescopes are not used on this tour - after all, the best way to stargaze is simply to use your own two eyes!
Requires an adventurous spirit and good physical shape. Participants should be able to walk at a steady pace for 1 hour; snowshoe experience is helpful but not required.
Cost: $65 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Approximately 1.5 hours (duration time may vary slightly)
Starry Skies Townsite Stroll
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Join us for a short, easy stroll around the Waterton townsite after dark. This is the perfect tour to get acquainted with our Dark Sky Park, no matter the time of year; this tour is offered year-round. Participants will examine light pollution and what is being done to mitigate it around Waterton, go in search of nocturnal creatures that may be found around town after dark, and learn to identify some of the more noteworthy constellations and night sky objects visible with the naked eye. Please note that telescopes are not used on this tour - after all, the best way to stargaze is simply to use your own two eyes!
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Cost: $35 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Approximately 1 hour (duration time may vary slightly)
Learn more about this tour
Night Sky Discovery Tour
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Join us on our popular Night Sky Discovery Tour. This low-intensity tour focuses on discovering the night sky, learning about nocturnal creatures, understanding the importance of dark skies devoid of light pollution, and spending time stargazing. This is the only tour we offer that provides the opportunity to use a telescope!
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Cost: $65 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Approximately 1.5 hours (duration time may vary slightly)
Dark Sky Adventure Tour
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Difficult
Our Travel Alberta ALTO Award-winning tour is for the adventurous! Featuring a longer and more-physically-demanding night hike, the Adventure Tour takes participants away from the roads and lights, and into the backcountry. Please note that telescopes are not used on this tour - after all, the best way to stargaze is simply to use your own two eyes!
Requires an adventurous spirit and good physical shape. Participants should be able to hike at a pace of 4km/hr for sustained periods of time.
Cost: $85 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Approximately 2.5 hours (duration time may vary slightly)