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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.

January 28, 2024 Update: Tour Dates are now Live for the upcoming year! Click the "Book Now" button for each different tour, to browse the booking reservation calendar and find exact start times for the dates you are interested in.


It is also worth considering the Phase of the Moon before you book. If you want an exceptionally dark sky, reserve a tour close to a New Moon:

May 7
Jun. 6
Jul. 5
Aug. 4
Sept. 2
Oct. 2


You can also purchase a gift certificate for someone special. Gift certificates can be purchased for a specific tour, or you can just gift a set dollar amount, which can be applied towards any experience - you pick!

The Tour Begins! - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / John Price
The Tour Begins! - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / John Price

Custom/Private Tour with the Dark Sky Guides

Difficulty Rating: Whatever You Want
Duration: Up to 3 hours
Price: Starting at $250, based on size of group
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 1 participant required
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.

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 Telescope 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!


Starry Skies Townsite Stroll

Difficulty Rating: Easy
Duration: Approx. 1.25 hours
Price: $39 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.

Starry Skies as seen from the Waterton Townsite - Photo Courtesy Monika Deviat Photography
Starry Skies as seen from the Waterton Townsite - Photo Courtesy Monika Deviat Photography

Join us for a short, easy stroll around the Waterton townsite after dark. Offered year-round, this is the perfect tour to get acquainted with our Dark Sky Park. 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!

Learn more about this tour


Discover Snowshoeing Tour

Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Price: $55 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Suited to age 6+; must be able to walk 1km over snow.

Discover Snowshoeing! - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / Colin Way
Discover Snowshoeing! - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / Colin Way

This late-morning tour may feel somewhat physically demanding at times (depending on your level of fitness), but it is a great opportunity for anyone who wishes to try snowshoeing for the first time, or simply wants to have some winter fun with a certified Professional 4-Season Tour Guide and learn about Waterton Lakes National Park! All required snowshoe equipment is provided.

Learn more about this tour


Snowshoe Winter Adventure Tour

Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours
Price: $65 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Requires an adventurous spirit and good physical shape. Participants should be aged 6+, and able to walk at a steady pace for 1 hour over snow; snowshoe experience is helpful but not required.

Snowshoe Winter Adventure - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / Colin Way
Snowshoe Winter Adventure - Photo courtesy Travel Alberta / Colin Way

Our 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! All required snowshoe equipment is provided.

Please note that stargazing is only a secondary component of this tour and the tour will go even during cloudy, snow-filled skies. Telescopes are NOT used on this tour.

Learn more about this tour


Dark Sky Adventure Tour

Difficulty Rating: Moderately Difficult
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
Price: $89 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
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.

Keep Your Eyes on the Skies!
Keep Your Eyes on the Skies!

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, for a truly pristine, untouched, memorable, Dark Sky experience.

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!

Learn More About This Tour!


Night Sky Telescope Tour

Difficulty Rating: Easy
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours
Price: $99 per participant
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Suited to participants of all ages and fitness levels.

Join us on our popular Night Sky Telescope 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 stargaze through one of our telescopes, including our brand new digital telescope, the Unistellar eVscope 2!

Discover Stargazing
Discover Stargazing

Learn more about this tour


Photography Workshops

Difficulty Rating: Varies
Duration: Times Vary
Price: Varies
Maximum 12 participants allowed
Minimum 3 participants required
Suited to amateur photographers of varying ages and fitness levels.

Learn More Here

Workshop Participants Waiting for the Stars to Appear
Workshop Participants Waiting for the Stars to Appear

On rare occasion the Dark Sky Guides 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. Workshops only take place a few times a year.

Learn more about these workshops