Our Top 4 Stargazing Spots

We look to the stars for guidance, companionship, information, and history. Our dark skies are an integral part of humanity, and you can see them best here at Manning Park. It’s no secret that our Dark Sky fosters some of the best stargazing around! Surrounded by over 83,000 hectares of protected forest and almost no light pollution, our stargazing is unmatched. 

Take advantage of our Dark Sky Discount to get 25% off accommodations this spring. Plan your stargazing trip this spring. All you need to do is subscribe to the Dark Sky Mailing List. That’s it!

Valid for lodge rooms, all cabins, and chalets. Blackout dates apply.

Manning Park’s Top 4 Stargazing Spots

 

Windy Joe Field

Located in the middle of our cabin loop to the west of the resort. This is a very accessible location, although there will be more light in this area as it is around the Resort.

Lightning Lake

4km from Manning Park Resort on Gibson Pass Road. The viewing area is located at the far end of the parking lot in the field by the lake. You can find parking in the day use parking lot.

Cascade Lookout

8km on the Blackwall Peak Road. This is a winding mountain road with 1150m elevation gain. Please use caution! Parking lot is at the Lookout.

Please note: there may still be snow on this road in the early spring months.

Subalpine Meadows Parking Lot

16km up Blackwall Peak Road. The road is paved 8km to the Lookout, then gravel. Parking is in the Lower Lot, near the Naturalist hut. Viewing is in the upper parking lot. Walking off the path is prohibited.

Please note: This road is not accessible until July 1st.

Although these spots may be the top favourites, any place in Manning is a great place to see the stars: in front of your cabin, on the side of the highway, out on a night stroll. Take the time out of your evening to enjoy the richness and enjoyment our stars provide us with.

We offer beginner Centron Firstscope telescopes for rent from our Front Desk for $7 ($5 if you’re a member of our Dark Sky Mailing List!). All astronomers report to Manning!

Canada’s Night Sky & Top 10 Sky Events

Milkyway galaxy

“THERE IS IN THE UNIVERSE NEITHER CENTRE NOR CIRCUMFERENCE. ”  ~ Giordani Bruno

The coldest time of the year is upon us, and the long nights that accompany the Winter Season are the best time to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of our stars and planets. Gaze up in wonder at a celestial show above, painted with twinkling stars against a canvas of dark night sky.

 

SPOT THE BRIGHTEST PLANETS IN JANUARY

Wow! This beautiful #ManningParkDarkSky photo from @apixelguy

At the beginning of January, four planets will be visible in the evening sky: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. Mars will be particularly bright during this time, so be sure to catch it while you can!

Observe the slight variations in colour between ochre Mars and the yellow-orange Lucida of Taurus. The Red Planet’s disk spans about 14 arcseconds and is large and close enough to be viewed in detail through a telescope.

Interested in exploring the night sky?  You can rent a telescope at Manning Park and discover the wonders of the universe for yourself!

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE THAT IS AFFORDABLE & FUN

Watch our new stargazing video here.

 Take a trip to Manning Park and stay in BC Park’s fully serviced Skyview RV Campground. Named because the stargazing is SO great in this location!

62 Campsites are available in the Winter and 92 sites in the Summer. All campsites have hook-ups for water, power (50-amp) and sewer. Skyview Campground is near Lightning Lake, and has a heated shower building for your enjoyment.

At Manning Park, you can spend your days carving down the slopes, gliding across 60km’s of Nordic trails, snowshoeing the tranquil beauty of the Cascade Mountains and unwinding by your campfire while covered in a blanket of stars.

(Pro-Tip: Bring your camping chair to enjoy the cosmos from your campsite)

Click to BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE NOW!  

 

NEW PRIVATE TOURS & A PERFECT STARGAZING OPPORTUNITY

Enjoy the beauty of the star-filled night sky, while snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at Manning Park. These events offer a unique and magical experience, perfect for all ages and experience levels. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and marvel at the celestial wonders above.

Private Snowshoe Tour + Chocolate Fondue:

  • 2-Hour Private Guided Tour followed by a Chocolate Fondue in our Bears Den Pub.
  • $65/per person (minimum 4 people)

Private Snowshoe Tour + Wine & Charcuterie Board:

  • 2-Hour Private Guided Tour followed by Wine & Charcuterie Board in our Bears Den Pub. $79/per person (minimum 4 people)

Private Snowshoe or Cross-Country Guide:

  • $60/Hour (2-Hour minimum requirement)

To reserve your Private Experience, please Email: nordic@manningpark.com

ASTRONOMY NEWS AND MORE…

TOP 10 SKY EVENTS OF 2023 

There are three major meteor showers, including the Perseids, arriving with the Moon mostly out of the way this year.

1- Venus, Saturn, & Crescent Moon at dusk

Date: January 23

Type: Conjunction

Time: Evening

View: Naked eye, binoculars

Click to know more Skynews.ca 

 

TOP 20 STARGAZING APPS

If you’re wondering where to find the Big Dipper or have noticed a reddish dot above you and want to know more, a stargazing app can be a helpful tool. Simply download one to your phone and have access to a wealth of information about the celestial objects visible in the sky.

Click to know more  – Vitotechnology.com  

 

Telescope Rentals Now Available

The Manning Park Dark Sky offers some of the best night sky viewing around. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing this month by renting one of our new telescopes!

July 20th marked the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 and the world’s first moon landing by Neil Armstong & Buzz Aldrin. 

We are excited to announce that we now have beginner telescope rentals available!

The Celestron FirstScope Telescope is a portable and lightweight table-top design with a 76 mm reflector optical tube. It is easy to store, transport and setup. FirstScope is very easy to observe with; the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object.

We now have 5 telescopes available from the Front Desk on a First Come, First Serve basis.

They are available for rent from the Front Desk for $10 for guests, or $5 for members of our Dark Sky Mailing list.
To sign up to our Dark Sky Mailing List, fill in the form here: http://eepurl.com/dqKVlr This is a monthly newsletter about Manning Park Dark Sky experiences and some beginner astronomy news. Connect with us by joining the Dark Sky Mailing list!
Here’s some of our basic tips for using this beginner Celestron FirstScopes: 
  • Learn the constellations of the sky without the use of a telescope first.
  • Read the books! We’ve included two great books with the telescope kit to help set your expectations for what you might be able to see with the telescope:
    •  “50 Things to See with a Telescope for Kids (And Parents Too!)” – John Read
    • “Turn Left at Orion” – Guy Consolmagno & Dan M. Davis
  • Adjust your eyes to the dark, and if you require a light, use the red light that is included in the kit.
  • Find a sturdy place to put the telescope, like a picnic table. (There are some at the Lightning Lake Day Use and at Spruce Bay Beach)
  • Start with an easy target – like the moon.
  • Have patience; it can take a lot of practice to use the telescope.
  • Have fun!

Learn more about what’s happening in the Manning Park Dark Sky at https://manningpark.com/stargazing/

Dark Sky Discount is back!

Calling all stargazers!

The Dark Sky in Manning Park offers some of the best stargazing around. With multiple viewing locations and very limited light pollution, the views are incredible.

That’s why we created this great promotion for you:

DARK SKY DISCOUNT: When you come up to go stargazing, save 25% on your accommodation on select dates this spring for members of our Dark Sky mailing list.

Select dates for Spring: Valid daily from April 15-May 16, 2019, Valid Sunday-Thursday from May 20-June 27, 2019

To get this deal, you must be registered in Dark Sky mailing list to qualify. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/dqKVlr

 

Manning Park Dark Sky

Check this website for the events that we are adding to our Dark Sky offerings and to sign up to our Dark Sky mailing list to hear about it direct to your inbox.

We don’t currently have telescopes for loan, but there are some great local resources:

We also suggest that you join us for our Manning Park Dark Sky – Astronomy Weekends on October 18-20 & 25-27. 

 

 

RECOMMENDED STARGAZING LOCATIONS:

  • Windy Joe field:located in the middle of our cabin loop to the west of the Resort. This is a very accessible location, although there will be more light in this area as it is around the Resort.
    • Year-Round
  • Lightning Lake Day Use:4km from Manning Park Resort on Gibson Pass Road. Viewing area is located at the far end of the parking lot in the field by the lake.
    • Parking:Park in the Day Use parking lot. Year-Round
  • Cascade Look-out:8km on the Blackwall Peak Road. This is a winding mountain road with 1150m elevation gain. Please use caution!
    • Parking:Parking lot is at the Look-out. Spring- Fall only
  • Sub-alpine Meadows Parking Lot:16km up Blackwall Peak Road. Road is paved 8km to the Lookout, then is gravel.
    • Parking:parking is in the Lower Lot, near the Naturalist hut. Viewing is in the upper parking lot. Walking off the path is prohibited. Spring-Summer only

There’s lots more for you to discover! Where’s your favourite spot?

Astrophotography Exhibit Now Open in the Cascade Room

Come to the Cascade Room to see the first event of our #AstronomyWeekend – our Astrophotography Art Exhibit! 
This gallery exhibit features local artists including Justin Brown, Jon Ross, Tim Barker and Chris Barker. The gallery is free to enter, and prints are available for purchase as well.

Please come on in to see our #ManningParkDarkSky Astrophotography Exhibit, on until October 14th, 2018!

Join us for the full Manning Park Dark Sky Astronomy Weekend: https://manningpark.com/event/astronomy-weekend/

 

Top 5 Things to Do in Fall at Manning Park

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Top 5 Things to Do in Fall at Manning Park

The ground squirrels may have gone to bed, and you may be heading back to the daily grind after a long, luxurious summer away, but don’t count out a few cheeky weekend trips away, and some great activities to do in fall at Manning Park.

My favourite things about fall in Manning Park – less bugs, no campfire bans, incredible colours and quiet hikes!
The vine maples have been changing colour already and are showing their full display of autumn foliage.

Here’s our top 5 for your list this Fall:

1. Larch Trees

On Mt. Frosty, we have a forest of the only coniferous, deciduous trees – the larch. This means the needles on this tree change colour seasonally and fall off. At the end of September – early October, they turn electric yellow and are truly a sight to behold! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website, we will let you know when they start changing.
Mt. Frosty is a solid hike: 22.2 km from Lightning Lake to summit and return, 1150m elevation gain & 9-11 hours. See more info here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/ecmanning/frosty.html

2. Biking

Cooler weather means those uphills don’t make you sweat so bad! We recommend Poland Lake or Windy Joe for a longer trip and the more adventurous, although cruising North Gibson and South Gibson are always worth the ride. See our updated mountain bike info on our webpage here. 

3. Canoeing or kayaking

The Boathouse stays open weekends until Thanksgiving, but boat rentals are available throughout the week as well from our Front Desk. Pop by to pick up your paddles, life jacket and the key to a canoe, kayak or a SUP (if you’re not too scared of the cooler waters!)

4. Sample some vino.

Have you checked out our wine menu lately? We are proud to offer all local wines from the Similkameen Valley and Okanagan areas. Wine tastes great no matter what the weather is doing outside!

5. Stargazing

Our newest fall activity has been here the whole time – just look up! The cool, crisp days of autumn are a great time for stargazing. See more information about stargazing on our Manning Park Dark Sky page. Learn about our fall Dark Sky Discount by signing up for our mailing list, and don’t miss our first Astronomy Weekend from October 12-14th.

 

It’s just a quick weekend away in your backyard, with great accommodation rates and some great activities to do. Book your accommodation now! 

Check out our new packages available with your lodge room:

Bed & Breakfast Package

Romance Package

Manning Park Dark Sky – Astronomy Weekend Schedule

While you have had your eyes on the skies watching the Perseid Meteor Shower this weekend, we have been planning for Manning Park’s first Dark Sky event – our Astronomy Weekend this October 12-14, 2018!

We are so excited to share the action-packed itinerary with you now: https://manningpark.com/event/astronomy-weekend/

Check out the stellar weekend we have planned, featuring workshops, star experts, yoga, astrophotography, star-gazing & more, all in the pristine alpine environment of Manning Park.

Registration is open for the event with 2 packages available: The Lightning Lake Stargazer Package is $25 per person and gives you a wrist band for entry into all indoor events, as well as your own Stargazer package. The Cascade Stargazer Package is $45 and includes entry to all events, Stargazer package, as well as the shuttle bus to the Cascade Lookout Stargazing Event. (Family rates available) Check the itinerary for our free events too!

(Aug 12, 2018)

If you want to know more about our Manning Park Dark Sky events, sign up for our mailing list to hear more: