Things to consider when attending astronomy events in the Park

Tour Start Times

Our tour times change throughout the year based on the setting sun:

    •    Winter (November- February): Tours typically start around 7:00 pm.

    •    Spring (March–May): Start times shift by about an hour every month as the days get longer.

    •    Summer Solstice (June 20): This is the longest day of the year, so tours start as late as 12:00 am — this timing usually applies for about 3 weeks before and after this date.

    •    Late Summer & Autumn (August-October): As the days shorten, tour times gradually move earlier again, often starting around 8:00 pm in September.

What to Expect

The moon plays a big role in what you’ll see during your stargazing experience:

    •    Full Moon: For about one week each month, the bright moonlight washes out views of the Milky Way — but inreturn, you’ll get brilliant, detailed views of the moon itself. Planets also remain visible during this time.

    •    New Moon: This is when the night sky is at its darkest, offering the best chance to see the Milky Way and countless stars, as the moon is only visible during the day.

    •    Quarter & Crescent Moon: This phase offers the most detailed views of the moon’s surface, revealing craters and towering mountain ranges. During moon-viewing nights, you’ll even have the chance to capture incredible images of the moon through our telescopes using your phone — a unique and memorable souvenir.

Weather Considerations

Weather plays an important role in the stargazing experience, not just for visibility but also for the performance of our equipment and your comfort. Here’s what you need to know:

    •    Temperature: Extremely cold temperatures (below -20°C) can affect the performance of our video equipment, sometimes making it difficult for cameras to function properly. We’ll always do our best to work around this, but it’s something to keep in mind on especially cold nights.

    •    Dress Warm: Even in the summer, temperatures can drop significantly at night — so we always recommend dressing in layers and being prepared for chilly conditions. Warm hats, gloves, and insulated jackets will help you stay comfortable while enjoying the experience.

    •    Clouds: A fully clear sky is ideal, but light cloud cover doesn’t always spoil the night. Many of our telescopes can still see bright objects like the moon, planets, and some stars through thin clouds. Even on nights with partial cloudiness, gaps and breaks often allow us to use our equipment for stargazing.

    •    Rain, Snow, and Wind: These conditions can affect the experience in different ways:

    •    Rain and snow can damage our equipment, so tours are canceled in these conditions, and you’ll receive a 100% refund.

    •    High winds can cause telescopes to shake or move, making it difficult to get clear views. If winds are too strong for a proper viewing experience, we may need to adjust the tour or cancel if necessary.

    •    Cloudy Night Plan: If skies stay cloudy, there’s still plenty to experience! We’ll guide you through our gear — including telescopes, cameras, and specialized software — and dive into fascinating space topics like star system formation, planets, the Aurora Borealis, and other cosmic wonders.

    •    Aurora Borealis: The Northern Lights can be visible at any time of year, though clear, dark skies offer the best conditions for spotting them. If we’re lucky enough to see them, it’s an unforgettable highlight of the night!

Travel Safety and Animal Awareness

​    •    Travel Safely: Whether you’re visiting us in summer or winter, it’s important to drive carefully and adjust to road conditions. Winter roads can be icy and unpredictable, while summer roads can have heavy wildlife traffic. Never drive impaired — your safety and the safety of others on the road come first.

    •    Animal Awareness: Since we’re in a national park, encounters with wildlife are always a possibility. Elk can be aggressive in spring and fall, and bears are active in spring, summer, and fall. Smaller animals like foxes, coyotes, and pine martens may also make curious appearances. We exercise caution and respect their boundaries at all times. Before each tour, we’ll go over basic animal safety and review a plan in case we encounter any wildlife during our time under the stars.

Your safety — and the safety of the park’s wildlife — is our top priority. Let’s enjoy this incredible landscape responsibly and respectfully! No matter the weather, we’ll make sure your night with Star Trails is an adventure to remember!