Potential MOONLIGHT PADDLE opportunities* - Medicine Hat - 2025 Season

*providing the sky is clear

*providing the river level and flow are safe

DATES (Day before, FULL MOON, Day after)

TIMES ON FULL MOON DATE

JUNE 9 - 11

Mon. TUESDAY Wed.

9:30 pm Sunset (forecasted)

9:50 pm Moonrise (forecasted)

10:50 pm Viewing on river begins? (estimated)

JULY 9 - 11

Wed. THURSDAY Fri.

9:31 pm Sunset (forecasted)

11:36 pm Moonrise (forecasted)

12:30 am Viewing on river begins? (estimated)

AUGUST 9 - 11

Sat. SUNDAY Mon.

8:54 pm Sunset (forecasted)

9:35 pm Moonrise (forecasted)

9:09 pm Viewing on river begins? (estimated)

SEPTEMBER 6 - 8

Sat. SUNDAY Mon.

7:56 pm Sunset (forecasted)

8:09 pm Moonrise (forecasted)

9:09 pm Viewing on river begins? (estimated)


Last year, Rob and I ordered some 360 degree battery powered lights off Amazon.ca that we mounted on the back ends of our kayaks. They are raised up off the deck on a shaft that is anchored to the deck. This permits a white light beam to be visible from all directions (rules). We purchased some LED headlamps we strap around our heads for forward facing visibility (fun for looking off at the shoreline while waiting for the moon to come up above the cliffs and into view!) AND, they were really helpful for getting our kayaks off the river and loaded in the dark! 

Last year, we put in at Strathcona and paddled upstream to the first bridge, turned around and then the moon was coming into view just above the cliffs off to the left. We went a bit too early, so we’re trying to ‘guesstimate’ how long after moonrise till the moon might best be visible when down in the river valley on the water! More experimentation is called for this year! We also think the July one could be affected by spring run-off (potential for lots of rushing water, rolling logs and other nasty debris washing down from the mountains), so good idea to check before adventuring out! Hope we can catch a few Moonlight Paddles this season! Let’s all remember to reach out on the club messages fb page when planning something for one of the 12 possibilities above! A group is always more fun!! Remember:  NEVER paddle alone!!

NOTE:  This summer, the city is planning construction at the Strathcona boat launch and it will be closed to the Public for some of July and August. Just a heads up to ‘check on City website’ to see if it's under construction when you’re thinking of paddling…it IS possible to put into the water at the Firehall station (located further upstream from Strathcona in Riverside) and go downriver to view the moonlight and then paddle back to the Firehall to get off the river, if Strathcona is closed. There is SOME ‘edge of road’ parking nearby the firehall boat launch ramp. Caution not to block the ramp in case the firehall gets called out on a rescue!



return to home
Paddling Events, Trip Maps,
Film Festival 2025, Membership, Who We are, Paddling Pictures