Whispering Pines Camp
Welcome to Medicine Hat Astronomy Club's Southern Alberta Star Party!
The camp is located in a Bortle 2 area of the spectacular Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Dark‑Sky Preserve, just 1.7km from Elkwater, Alberta.
Whispering Pines Camp is privately owned by Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada.
Whispering Pines Amenities
The 6‑acre field has lots of room for tents and RVs.
Twelve rustic cabins are also available, with heating and lighting, ten of which are in an open area with unobstructed views of the sky.
The main building features washrooms, showers, a large auditorium with audio‑visual equipment, laundry facilities, a games room, and a large communal kitchen and dining room.
Camping at SASP
The camping field is very well maintained. It is mowed, level and free of rocks and holes. There are a few disc-golf targets around the field so care should be taken not to bump into one in the dark.
There are no designated sites in the camping field, so camping is offered on a rush basis.
Potable water is available from a standpipe near the camp entrance.
Power in the field is limited, but every cabin has an external 15‑amp outlet, so bring an extension cord and park behind a cabin if you need electricity.
Cabin Accommodation at SASP
In the open field are ten cabins with power, lighting and heating. Washrooms and showers are in the main building. Each cabin has two rooms with bunks for six people.
Another two cabins are available under trees, with auxiliary washrooms and showers nearby. Both cabins have a single, large room with two queen beds to sleep up to four people.
All cabin bunks have mattresses, but guests must bring their own pillows and bedding.
Around Whispering Pines
Elkwater townsite is 1.7km away, with a convenience store, a visitor centre and museum, a gas station, a hotel, two restaurants, and a mini-golf course.
Elkwater Lake offers boating, fishing (licence required), a swimming area, and a beach.
The nearest full-service centre is Medicine Hat, which is approximately 65km away.
Guest speaker - Shamon Kureshi
By night, Shamon Kureshi is an award-winning night photographer and amateur astronomer based in Calgary, Canada. By day, Shamon is the founder and CEO at one of Canada's largest rental housing agencies.
Shamon's journey to capture the night sky has taken him to four continents and dozens of countries. His work has been featured in gallery exhibitions, public art installations, and in numerous private homes. A prolific speaker, Shamon teaches on astrophotography techniques, tools, and equipment. His workshops and educational materials reflect his belief in astronomy as a tool for personal growth and mental health.
Shamon enjoys life and dark sky in the areas around Calgary, where he lives with his wife and two children. You can reach him on Instagram.
SASP 2024 Registration
5-day event registration
Single
$100
($100 after 1st July)
5-day event registration
Couple
$110
($110 after 1st July)
5-day event registration
Family
$120
($120 after 1st July)
Optional accommodation
Camping
$100
($100 after 1st July)
- 5 nights accommodation
- Bring your own tent/RV
- Potable water standpipe
- Shared electricity
- Quiet dogs welcome
- Choose your site
Optional accommodation
Cabin Room
$150
($150 after 1st July)
- 5 nights accommodation
- Sleeps 1 to 6 people
- Heating
- Lighting
- Electricity
- Unobstructed sky
Optional accommodation
Exclusive Cabin
$200
($200 after 1st July)
- 5 nights accommodation
- Sleeps 4 (two queen beds)
- Heating
- Lighting
- Electricity
- Under trees
Registration for SASP 2024 is now closed.
SASP 2025 dates: 21-26 September.
Please join our mailing list to be notified when registration opens.
Solar and Lunar Ephemerides for SASP 2024
| 2 Mon | 3 Tue | 4 Wed | 5 Thu | 6 Fri | 7 Sat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 06:40 | 06:42 | 06:43 | 06:45 | 06:46 | |
 | 20:00 | 19:58 | 19:56 | 19:54 | 19:49 | |
 | 07:10 | 08:18 | 09:25 | 10:33 | 11:43 | |
 | 20:08 | 20:20 | 20:31 | 20:42 | 20:54 | 21:09 |
 | 04:43 | 04:45 | 04:47 | 04:49 | 04:51 | |
 | 21:57 | 21:55 | 21:52 | 21:49 | 21:46 | 21:44 |
| New Moon is on Monday, 2nd September at 19:56 | ||||||
"I was fortunate to attend the first SASP in 2022. It was one incredible affair.
If you have never seen very dark Bortle skies, your imagination will get the best of you. SASP is exceptional, and so are the stargazers."
Roy from Edmonton, AB.
"The Southern Alberta Star Party is an event I look forward to for the entire year.
The clear, dark skies combined with the on-site amenities and comfortable accommodations make this my number one astronomy event of the year."
Aaron from Cochrane, AB.
"The Southern Alberta Star Party is my top pick! The organizers went above & beyond to make it a fun time.
The large dining area provided a convenient warm place to eat, meet new people & visit. Many impromptu discussions occurred with the occasional astronomy equipment show & tell. Great indoor showers & washrooms on the lower level.
As a tent camper, getting a cabin room was a total luxury that allowed me to spread out my gear for easier access. Much warmer than a tent!
Huge auditorium for talks, gear swap tables & even a movie night one day.
I truly enjoyed my time & feel like I made some new friendships along the way!"
Larry from Calgary, AB.
Entry to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
is free on the Alberta side.
