Cosmic Camping – The Ultimate Stargazing Experience in Ontario
Even if you are able to find wide open spaces stargazing in the GTA is rarely very rewarding. The light pollution always manages to spoil the impact of any stargazing experience. Venturing to more rural locales is usually the best strategy to take, and if you are on a budget, one of the best ways to take in the night sky and the incredible Perseid meteor shower unfolding during the month of August is camping – or as Hipcamp prefers to call it – ‘Cosmic Camping.’
What is the Perseids Meteor Shower?
The Perseids happen each summer when the Earth passes through the trail of dust left behind by the comet, Swift-Tuttle. They get their name because the point from which they appear (called the radiant) is in the constellation Perseus. During peak times, 50-80 quick small streaks of flying light pass through the sky every hour.
Top Viewing Tips:
- No special tools required!: To get a glimpse of the Perseids meteor shower, simply look up! Don’t get too hung up on where in the sky the meteors are coming from. As long as you are in a dark, open space (note: avoid large trees), you’ll get a great view of the show!
- Do not disturb: It can take up to 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the night’s darkness, so avoid looking at your phone and keep flashlights off. Bright, harsh light can degrade your night vision.
- Good things come to those who wait: Meteors are a natural phenomena, and there is no way to predict how many you’ll see or when they’ll appear. When it comes to meteor showers, there are busy spurts and lulls, so we recommend spending at least an hour taking in the night sky.
When is Peak Performance?
While the Perseids happen throughout August, they will be most visible and vivid on August 11-13, from midnight to dawn. Plus, this year the stars have aligned because the Perseids peak during a crescent moon. That means the moonlight won’t ruin the show.
Where to Watch?
To take in the full magnificence of the meteors be sure to avoid light pollution by heading out of the city and camping in a space with wide-open sky.
Check out these 5 gorgeous Hipcamp sites in Ontario that are ideal spots for a cosmic camping experience!
Twenty minutes away from Ontario’s Algonquin Park, this campsite provides a cozy stay surrounded by amenities any camper would dream of including hiking trails, lake access, and horseback riding tours.
Lakefront beauty on Lake Of Bays
Enjoy 200 feet of shoreline and your own metal fire pit at this beautiful campsite on the second largest lake in Muskoka.
This slice of heaven is perfectly tucked into a stand of white pines on a peninsula, overlooking a shallow lake, surrounded by small islands. Be sure to keep your eyes on more than just the stars, this 55 acre property is the home to deers, beavers, owls and more!
Just 3 hours outside of Toronto and located in a dark zone, this campsite offers a one of a kind stargazing experience on an open peninsula.
This site comes with an RV for those who prefer to camp with some amenities but don’t be fooled, it still offers the perfect city escape with two spring-fed lakes onsite and a beautiful view of the open sky.
About Hipcamp
Founded in 2013, Hipcamp is the world’s largest provider of outdoor stays. It gives a growing community of good-natured people the opportunity to list, discover, and book unique outdoor experiences. By connecting people with the land and each other, Hipcamp works to support those who care about nature. The fully remote company has offices in Australia, the United States and Canada, and to date has helped people spend more than 3 million nights under the stars. When listing on Hipcamp, farmers, ranchers, vintners, and other landowners generate new revenue streams to conserve their land and keep it wild.
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