The Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is Ontario’s most southerly dark sky site, located 37 kilometres north of Napanee near Erinsville. The site features a large concrete pad for telescopes and cameras, free admission year-round, and views of the night sky that rival conditions from a century ago.
Finding a clear night sky free from light pollution is harder than it used to be. Most of southern Ontario glows. But 37 kilometres north of the 401, on a quiet stretch of County Road 41 near Erinsville, the glow drops away. The L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area sits on the edge of the Canadian Shield, where there are no streetlights, no subdivisions, and no competing light sources. On a clear, moonless night, you can stand on the concrete pad and watch the Milky Way arc overhead the way it does in photographs you assumed were enhanced. It is not. The stars here are dense enough to cast faint shadows on the ground. The site is open year-round, free to visit, and entirely passive. No gates, no guided programming unless an event is scheduled, just a levelled platform and whatever the sky decides to show you.
Attilla Danko 25″ f/4 Obsession Dobsonian Telescope Coming to Dark Sky!
In partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada — Kingston Centre, the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area is pleased to announce the deployment of the Attilla Danko 25″ f/4 Obsession Dobsonian telescope right here at Dark Sky!
What to Expect
Visitors can expect an unobstructed view of the stars, planets, and the Milky Way. The site is a “passive” viewing area, meaning there are no permanent telescopes on-site; An unobstructed view of the stars, planets, and the Milky Way from a concrete pad levelled for tripod-mounted equipment and long-exposure photography. There are no permanent telescopes on-site, so bring your own if you have them. The concrete pad is designed specifically to stabilize tripod-mounted equipment for steady observation. The site is passive and open. You set your own pace and stay as long as the sky holds.
Here’s What’s Different
- The most southerly location in Ontario with a truly dark, unmanaged sky.
- The Terence Dickinson Observation Deck is levelled specifically for long-exposure astrophotography.
- Regular public events run by local experts cover constellations, celestial cycles, and laser-guided sky tours.
Good to Know
- White-light flashlights and car headlights disrupt night vision and long-exposure photography. Use a red-light flashlight on the viewing platform and turn off your headlights as soon as you pull into the lot.
- While the site is open all night, camping is not permitted. There are local lodging opportunities available nearby.
- LOCAL TIP
- Pair your visit with a daytime trip to Bon Echo Provincial Park and finish the evening at the viewing area. A day with deep blue skies signals low humidity and good atmospheric clarity, which usually means better stargazing that night.
- FAST FACTS
- The site draws thousands of amateur and professional astronomers each year.
- The viewing platform is named the Terence Dickinson Observation Deck in honour of the stargazing author, SkyNews Magazine founder, and Lennox & Addington resident who first identified this stretch of County Road 41 as the most southerly unimpeded dark sky location in Ontario. He brought the finding to the county in 2011, the site opened during the 2013 Perseid Meteor Shower, and Terence received the County’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. He passed away on February 1, 2023.
Prepare for the best stargazing!
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Events
Location Details
Your Route
What We Offer
Choose the Right Night
Clear days with deep blue skies typically mean low humidity and good air clarity. Pick a moonless or near-moonless night for the darkest conditions and the best chance of seeing the Milky Way.
Best Times to See
the Milky Way
- May: 3 am to 5 am
- June: 1 am to 3 am
- July: 11 pm to 1 am
- August: Nightfall to 11:30 pm
- September: Nightfall to 9:30 pm
What to Bring
Binoculars or a telescope, if you have them. A reclining lawn chair, warm layers, a blanket, bug spray, and a small red-light flashlight for moving around the platform without affecting other visitors.
Helpful Resources
Common Questions
While open year round, the best viewing occurs on clear, moonless nights between April and October.
While not required for basic stargazing, you must bring your own equipment as none are provided on-site.
No, the viewing area is for observation only; however, nearby Accommodations area available.
Contacts
Get the Itinerary
Get the official Sun & Stars route sent to your phone with stops and local recommendations ready to go.
Getting Here
Located less than an hour away from the 401, north of Greater Napanee at 7980 County Road 41 in Erinsville.
From Highway 401: Take Exit 579 (Napanee/Kaladar) and head north on County Road 41 for 37 km, passing through Selby, Roblin, and Erinsville. The L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area will be on your left, just before the Sheffield Conservation Area entrance.
From Highway 7: At Kaladar, head south on County Road 41 for 11 km. The L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area will be on your right, just past the Sheffield Conservation Area entrance.