Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Banff
Experience Banff after dark on a thoughtfully paced 5-hour evening journey through glowing viewpoints, quiet lakeshores, and one of the best stargazing locations in the Canadian Rockies. Begin at a scenic overlook above Banff, where the town lights sparkle below and your guide shares stories of the region’s history and early mountain life. Continue to Lake Minnewanka at twilight, where your guide brings the landscape to life with insights into local wildlife, Indigenous perspectives, and the natural history of the area. As night settles, arrive at Two Jack Lake, a calm and secluded stargazing location. Settle in lakeside with your group and enjoy a relaxed, immersive experience beneath the stars. Using telescopes, binoculars, and constellation tools, explore planets, star clusters, and galaxies in vivid detail while enjoying a warm drink in comfort. This is a slow, atmospheric evening designed to help you disconnect, unwind, and experience Banff in its most peaceful form.
Step aboard our comfortable van and prepare for a unique nighttime adventure. Your stargazing experience begins with pickups in the charming towns of Canmore and Banff, surrounded by the majestic Canadian Rockies. As you settle in, our friendly driver-guide will ensure a relaxed and enjoyable ride, offering insights into Banff National Park and tips for making the most of your stargazing experience.
Your evening begins at our favorite local lookout, where you’ll take in a beautiful nighttime view of Banff as the town lights glow below and the surrounding peaks fade into silhouette. From this elevated vantage point, your guide sets the tone for the night, sharing thoughtful insights into Banff’s history and how this mountain town came to be — a calm, reflective start that invites you to slow down and leave the day behind.
From here, a short, scenic drive brings you to Lake Minnewanka as dusk deepens. At the lakeshore, you’ll set out on a 45-minute walk beneath the stars, with your guide leading the way. Headlamps and hiking poles are provided to make the walk comfortable and easy to navigate in the dark. Along the way, your guide will share stories connected to Lake Minnewanka, including Indigenous perspectives, the history of the area, and the wildlife that is active after sunset. Leaving Lake Minnewanka behind, you’ll travel a short distance deeper into the park as the forest darkens and the night settles in.
Upon arriving at our hand-selected viewpoint on the shores of Two Jack Lake, you’ll settle into premium heated chairs, thoughtfully chosen to keep you warm as the temperatures drop. You’ll have access to telescopes, binoculars, and iPads equipped with constellation-identification apps, allowing you to explore the night sky in vivid detail. Planets, star clusters, and distant galaxies come into focus, transforming the sky into a living map of light. To complete the experience, enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate or cup of tea — a simple, cozy comfort that pairs perfectly with the quiet atmosphere of the evening.
As the day draws to a close, you’ll be safely returned to your original pickup location, with all the insights you need to continue your journey, ready to embrace whatever comes next with ease and excitement. Throughout the evening, every detail is carefully considered to keep the experience smooth, comfortable, and unhurried — focusing on atmosphere and awareness rather than rushing through facts.
The tour begins in Canmore, with additional pickups in Banff. After you book your tour, we will send you a follow-up message with all important pickup details to help you prepare for your experience. Please keep an eye out for this message, as it will include: • Your confirmed pickup time based on your selected location • A description of our tour vehicle to help you easily identify your guide • A reminder of what to bring for your tour • The waiver link that must be completed prior to departure This information is sent to ensure a smooth, easy, and stress-free start to your tour. If you have any questions before then, feel free to reach out anytime.
Banff Night Sky Stargazing Tour from Canmore and Banff lasts about 5 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $85 per person for this Banff experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. The tour begins in Canmore, with additional pickups in Banff. After you book your tour, we will send you a follow-up message with all important pickup details to help you prepare for your experience. Please keep an eye out for this message, as it will include: • Your confirmed pickup time based on your selected location • A description of our tour vehicle to help you easily identify your guide • A reminder of what to bring for your tour • The waiver link that must be completed prior to departure This information is sent to ensure a smooth, easy, and stress-free start to your tour. If you have any questions before then, feel free to reach out anytime. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyHKoN0BnSMmVWAwrOacgQaQ=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyIhKcSu3n8uWPt/piWCh1Pw=.
The experience is available in EN, FR, ES.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Minimum Age: 6 years. Not suitable for children under 6 years old. In order to participate all adults must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or guardian of any child under the age of 18. Failure to complete the waiver will result in the cancellation of your tour.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Our Stargazing Tour was everything we hoped for and more. History, funny stories and multiple viewing stops. Our guide Georgia was kind, funny and so knowledgeable.
So glad to hear the Stargazing Tour was everything you hoped for! It sounds like Georgia made the evening even more enjoyable with her knowledge, stories and sense of humour. Thanks so much for joining us and for taking the time to leave a review! Into the Wild Tours
The stargazing tour was very amateur and a total waste of money - and it was not inexpensive. I'm not speaking about clouds affecting view, I'm speaking about operationally. The pick up was fine and the driver used a headphone set to project her voice in the enclosed van, which was good. However, she discarded the headset projection as soon as we arrived at each of the 3 stops. Even with only 10 people, it was impossible to hear her when she was speaking facing forward and we were behind her and several other people. Both sets of headlights given to us were broken - my husband's kept flicking off, and mine didn't hold the angle/ position I tried to set it at. The tour description said they use telescopes - plural. At the first stop, none were used. At the second stop, she pulled out a laser pointer and an iPad. Sorry, but I've got apps on my phone also, so using an iPad is not the same as a telescope. Now let's get to the third and final, grand finale stop. There was no secondary crew setting up the heated chairs in advance, making the drinks, etc. It was all on the guide who had to drag all the equipment out of the van and she didn't want help. So, we had to wait, which would have been better if there were the telescopes set up. But no, that was not the case. We had to wait for her to set up all the chairs, distribute blankets, install and turn on chargers for the heat, take drink orders (hot water with a sprinkle of faintly chocolate flavor), and make the drinks before she even started talking about the sky. And then she was more focused on distributing the tripods for phones and passing around the iPad. It wasn't until 10 min before asking if we wanted to leave early that she even bothered to set up a singular telescope. Seriously? Talk about misleading advertising! Finally, when it came time to pack up, she again refused help and we had to wait quite some time in the van for her to assemble everything to pack up and load in the van. For comparison, let me describe a stargazing experience in New Zealand. The guide was not alone. There was a crew waiting at the site with several telescopes set up, already aimed at points for observation and discussion. The guide did just that - guide us while others did the operational work of telescope set up and serving drinks. And they had high-powered professional telescopes that we wouldn't normally have access to on our own...and the price was a fraction of what this tour cost. So, no I would not recommend this tour or company for stargazing. Maybe the day tours are decent enough, but stay away from stargazing tours with them. If you are in Jasper, the planetarium does stargazing tours that are much more organized, more professional and more educational. Even with the same challenges of a cloudy sky, they offered enough educational material (with displays of meteorites for example) and several professional grade scopes that allowed us to actually at least see the moon's surface for the few seconds it peaked out. They had some staff presenting and other manning and monitoring the telescopes to set up views.
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are genuinely sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations, and we do take the concerns you raised seriously. That said, we would like to clarify a few points, as it seems there was a significant difference between the experience you were expecting and the experience our tour is designed to provide. Our stargazing tour is intentionally designed as a mobile, outdoor stargazing experience, rather than a stationary observatory or planetarium experience. The focus is on spending the evening outside under the night sky, moving between several locations, and enjoying the Rockies at night, with a portable telescope, heated chairs, blankets, hot beverages and other equipment brought with us. The first stop is intentionally earlier in the evening, around sunset, and is designed to introduce guests to Banff and the surrounding landscape while there is still some light. Setting up the telescope as soon as we arrive would not be particularly useful at that point, as there is still considerable daylight and we are not yet in proper stargazing conditions. The second stop is our guided walk under the stars, as described in the tour itinerary. It is intended to be an opportunity to experience the night sky and surroundings on foot rather than a dedicated telescope session. The final stop is where we create our portable stargazing setup. Because the experience is mobile, all of the equipment has to travel with the guide and be set up and packed away on location. We do not have a separate crew waiting at the site with a permanent station, and we have never intended to operate the tour that way. The guide carrying and setting up the equipment is part of how this type of mobile experience works. We are also sorry about the headlamps. They should have been checked before the tour, and we will be reviewing our equipment checks to make sure this does not happen again. We also understand your frustration regarding the headset. The guide should have continued using it whenever the group was gathered and speaking from a position where some guests could not hear clearly. Regarding the iPad and photography equipment, these are supplementary elements of the experience. We understand that some guests enjoy photographing the night sky, and our guides are happy to help them with night photography. We are sorry if this made you feel that the guide's attention was being taken away from the stargazing portion of the experience. We also want to clarify that we deliberately do not keep the vehicle running while guests are outside at the various stops. The experience is designed to take place outside the vehicle, rather than having guests remain inside a warm van between activities. This is an important part of the experience we are trying to create: a quiet, relaxed evening outdoors rather than a series of short stops where everyone is quickly moved from one setup to another. We completely understand that you had a different experience in New Zealand and that the planetarium experience in Jasper may have been closer to what you were looking for. Those are very different formats, however. A permanent facility with multiple staff members, several permanently positioned professional telescopes, displays and dedicated telescope operators is naturally able to offer something very different from a small-group mobile experience in the mountains. Our goal is not to replicate a planetarium or stationary observatory. It is to give guests the opportunity to spend an evening outside under the Rockies' night sky, away from a permanent building, with a portable telescope, heated seating, blankets, warm drinks and a guide sharing the night sky and the surrounding landscape. We are sorry that this particular style of experience was not what you were looking for. At the same time, your feedback about the equipment and communication is useful to us, and we will use it to improve those aspects of the tour.
Abdul was a great tour guide. Very informative and personal. He came around to each group and showed us how to adjust our cameras to ensure we got the best pictures possible. While it was a cloudy night, we were still able to get some good photos.
Even with the cloudy conditions, it’s great that Abdul helped you come away with some good night-sky photos. The camera settings can make such a difference! We really appreciate you sharing your experience. Into the Wild Tours
Abdul was a great guide, trip felt very comfortable and we had everything we needed. Shout to Abdul for the the hospitality.
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad you had a comfortable trip and felt well looked after throughout the experience. We’ll be sure to pass your shoutout along to Abdul! Into the Wild Tours
Our tour guide, Abdul was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. He made an already amazing experience even better!
Thank you for the great review! We’re so glad Abdul helped make an already amazing experience even better. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him! Into the Wild Tours
It was one of the best tours I have ever made. The guide, Tim, was very knowledgeable, kind and attentive. I would definitely recommend it!
Thank you so much for the great review! We’re thrilled to hear this was one of the best tours you’ve experienced and that Tim took such good care of you. We really appreciate the recommendation! Into the Wild Tours
My daughter and I had a wonderful stargazing experience with Jaradan on Aug 27. Although the tour started with us being a bit anxious as it rained and the sky seemed covered with heavy clouds, it turned around before too long and all the stars emerged all of sudden in the sky and shone very brightly! Moreover, the moon in its eclipsed form right above the tree tops showed up! So, it is really true that the weather is very dynamic in the Rockies just as Jaradan explained. We spent the good 2 hours ish at the lake front admiring the lunar eclipse and observing the moon regain its full-moon shape gradually. The heated chairs, blankets and tiny hand warmers kept us cozy and warm, the hot chocolate was such a thoughtful treat that made me feel heart-warming. Jaradan is knowledgeable, friendly and took good care of us. Thank you for an amazing tour!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! What a special night to experience with your daughter. We’re so happy the weather turned around and gave you such an incredible view of the night sky. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Jaradan. Thank you for spending the evening with us! Into the Wild Tours
Sam is the man! Great experience, sharing about Banff and the sites visited. Loved relaxing with the heated chairs, blanket and hot tea at Two Jack Lake. Definitely worth every moment of the night!
Sam is the man indeed! Thanks so much for the great review. We’re glad you had such a good night and enjoyed getting comfortable with the heated chairs, blankets and hot tea at Two Jack Lake. Thanks for joining us! Into the Wild Tours
We had a great experience. Our guide went over and beyond to make us comfortable and make the trip enjoyable.
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you had a great experience and that your guide went the extra mile to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the day. Thanks for joining us! Into the Wild Tours
Highly recommended. A must try activity. Staff was great! Jared is our tour guide, he is very knowledgeable and he made sure that we are comfortable during the the tour.
Thank you for the recommendation! We’re so glad you had a great experience and that your guide made sure everyone was comfortable throughout the tour. We really appreciate you joining us! All the best, Into the Wild Tours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff Night Sky Stargazing Tour from Canmore and Banff | 5 hours | 4.6 (30) | $85 | |
 8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff's Best in First Class. | 10–11 hours | 5.0 (901) | $147 | View |
 Lake Louise Moraine Lake Day Trip from Banff Calgary Canmore | 8–10 hours | 4.9 (1,429) | $54 | View |
 Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff | 8–10 hours | 4.9 (4,335) | $73 | View |
 Lake Minnewanka Cruise | 1 hour | 4.7 (806) | $59 | View |
 Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk | 3 hours | 4.7 (2,121) | $98 | View |
 Banff Gondola Ride Admission | 1–4 hours | 4.6 (3,394) | $69 | View |