The Perseid meteor shower is going to peak this month in Calgary, and with up to 90 meteors per hour, it’s going to be an incredible show!
The peak is predicted to happen on August 12, 2024, at 2 pm UTC, or 8 am Calgary time. So the mornings of August 11, 12, and 13 are going to be the best times to try and see them for yourself.
The best places to stargaze will be far away from the city. To avoid as much light pollution as possible, you can always head east to Cypress Hill’s dark sky preserve.
For those who want to catch a glimpse of the stars but don’t have the time or resources to escape too far out of the city, we’ve found a couple of great spots in Calgary to head to and some others that aren’t any further than 30 minutes outside of city limits!
Nose Hill Park
What: Nose Hill Park is a popular spot in the city, and for good reason! It’s got a fantastic lookout and over 11 square kilometres of wide open land within city limits.
The stars won’t be quite as bright as they will be outside of the city, but it’s far enough from the lights of downtown to still get a view, and the lookout has the perfect elevation for a great full view of the sky.
Where: Nose Hill Park, 6465 14th Street NW, Calgary
Okotoks Big Rock
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What: Looking south of the city, Okotoks is another great option to take in the astral show. We recommend stopping at the Okotoks Erratic. Not only is it further away from the city lights, but it is also a fantastic backdrop to the meteor shower.
Where: Okotoks Erratic, AB-7, Diamond Valley
Diamond Valley
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What: The newly merged towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley have formed into the town of Diamond Valley and offer picturesque views of the foothills.
The stunning drive out on its own is worth the trip. There are plenty of places to stop and set up your stargazing chairs, both inside and just outside the town.
Where: The intersection of Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) and Highway 7
Weaselhead Flats
What: Weaselhead Flats covers 237 hectares of land and is a great spot to catch the stars in Calgary. Keep in mind the park hours, which are open between 5 am and 11 pm daily. You can squeeze in an hour or two of stargazing at night, but it might be best to head out before sunrise.
Where: 37th Street SW & 66th Avenue Southwest
Crossfield
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What: Crossfield is just north of Calgary and offers spectacular views of the sky. We recommend driving to the ponds to take in the stars but don’t forget the bug spray!
Where: Crossfield is located on Highway 2A, 43 kilometres north of Calgary