The stars from the Torrance Barrens preserve are something to behold.

It's always surreal being under the summer sky and star gazing, but unfortunately with Toronto's light pollution (yes, it's a real thing!) all we get to see is a greyish haze, even on the clearest night. This is one of the reasons why Dark Sky Preserves were created.

A post shared by Daniel Lin (@xd.lin) on Aug 15, 2017 at 1:55pm PDT

Dark Sky Preserves are incredibly unique and rare, with only 6 in Ontario, 19 in Canada, and less than 100 in the entire world. Luckily, the Torrance Barrens Preserve is only 2 hours from Toronto, making it one of the only places nearby to appreciate spectacular night skies.

This fully preserved oasis is almost 5000 acres, was the world's first permanent site, and is legally protected under the Public Lands Act by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A post shared by Ariel Estulin » Canada (@ariel.estulin) on Sep 26, 2017 at 4:45am PDT

So, what makes the skies at Torrance Barrens so clear, and unhampered by light pollution of nearby cities? It just so happens a lucky number of coincidences have combined to make this area light free, such as the site being completely surrounded by either protected or undeveloped land.

A post shared by Frank Lau (@kylauf) on May 22, 2018 at 6:46pm PDT

When you visit, be sure to bring a camera to capture the night sky in its natural and untouched beauty, because the sights will be like anything you've ever witnessed before. It's one of the only spots in Ontario (and Canada!) to easily view the Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, and on occasion the Northern Lights.

A post shared by Lwx (@lin_302) on May 22, 2018 at 9:14am PDT

If you own a telescope – bring it. You'll be able to see the rings of Saturn and cloud banks of Jupiter even from the most basic model.

A post shared by Jordon (@jpearsonphotog) on May 6, 2018 at 5:57pm PDT

Obviously, the night skies are what attract thousands of visitors each year, but there is also a ton to explore here throughout the day. The marshy areas are covered by accessible boardwalks, and the lush forests have a bunch of picturesque hiking trails.

A post shared by Tyler McGillivray (@tyler_mcgillivray) on May 27, 2018 at 7:39pm PDT

The preserve is also home to one of the province's rarest animals – the Five Lined Skink– which is Ontario's only lizard.

A post shared by Angel Dario Rondón Ulloa (@angel.dru) on May 3, 2018 at 10:48am PDT

For a unique and unforgettable experience this year, stopping in at this preserve while out in Muskoka this summer is a must.