If the dazzling sky displays of the aurora borealis are on your bucket list, you just need to know where to see the northern lights in North America. There are ample places to spot them across the globe, but some of the most iconic aurora-spotting locales are located on the European continent. Can you really see the northern lights in North America? Absolutely—when you know where the best viewing locations are.
This magical and natural occurrence draws tens of thousands of visitors a year to places like Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and Sweden, but those aren’t the only places you can see this marvelous skyline spectacle. If you want to stay a little closer to home, great news: There are a few places right here in North America that are considered some of the best aurora borealis viewing in the world.
Recently, the northern lights have been more visible than ever in North America. Solar storms blasting electromagnetic particles into the Earth’s atmosphere can make the auroras visible even in the Deep South of the United States, with viewers in states like Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. That means your chances of seeing the northern lights from different parts of the U.S. and North America are greater than ever, especially if you time your viewing with a recent solar storm or coronal mass ejection (CME).
Ready to see these cosmic captivators? Here’s a quick guide on where to see the northern lights in North America.
The northern lights have been incredibly active in North America lately with more chances to see them than ever, sometimes visible as far as the Southeast! You may find affiliate links in this post, and if you click to make a purchase or book through them, you’ll help me earn a small commission that costs you nothing. Thanks for your support!
Where to See the Northern Lights in North America
1. Fairbanks, Alaska
Situated directly under the Auroral Oval lies the town of Fairbanks, Alaska. It’s in the perfect position for northern lights viewing. In addition to its prime location, Fairbanks receives very little precipitation, resulting in many clear night skies and unobstructed views of this heavenly phenomena.
Fairbanks’ aurora season runs from August to April. The auroras can generally can be seen 4-5 nights/week over any seven-night period. It is said that visitors who stay three nights or more have a 90% chance of witnessing the lights! Spot the lights on a guided tour, on a deck under a blanket, or venture out yourself in the wee hours to try and catch a glimpse.
Want to explore more of Alaska? Check out my guide to Juneau, the capital city of Alaska.
2. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Also located under the Auroral Oval is Yellowknife, nestled in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Some of the world’s best northern lights viewing are said to be in Yellowknife, with over 200 high-visibility nights a year for visitors to choose from. You might like taking the Yellowknife Northern Lights 3-Day Viewing Tour for the best chances at spotting the lights.
There are two northern lights seasons in Canada’s Northwest Territories: the first in autumn and the second in winter. From mid-August until the end of September is the fall season, with the temperatures on land and water both (comparatively) warm. The winter season for aurora viewing runs from mid-November until early April, and while the temperatures drop substantially, there’s something magical about witnessing the northern lights dance above a blanket of snow and ice.
Photo by Leonard Laub on Unsplash
3. Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Idaho
Set against a stunning mountain backdrop, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest provides visitors with gorgeous aurora borealis displays each winter. One of the most reliable places to spot them (and also the most popular) is Priest Lake, roughly 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Photographers and northern lights enthusiasts flock to this beautiful and undiscovered area of the state every winter. It’s also a great place to see bald eagles and other wildlife.
Unbeknownst to many, the northern lights are active throughout the year, but reach peak visibility in certain months. Optimal viewing in Idaho is from September through to March on dry and clear nights.
4. Churchill, MB Canada
Another region located directly under the Auroral Oval is the northern Canadian town of Churchill, Manitoba. Early fall (August and September) or late winter/early spring (end of January through to April) presents the best aurora viewing opportunities in Churchill.
One of the best things about aurora borealis viewing in Churchill is the wildlife viewing opportunities during the day—specifically polar bears. Often referred to as “lords of the Arctic,” these gentle giants can be spotted frolicking among bright pink fireweed in the summer months and hunting for seals on the icy Hudson Bay during the winter. It’s hard to imagine a more magical vacation, with days spent spotting these magnificent creatures in the wild, and nights marveling at mother nature’s greatest light show: the northern lights.
Photo by Leonard Laub on Unsplash
Plan a Trip to See the Northern Lights in North America
While these 4 destinations—Fairbanks, AK, Yellowknife, CA, the Idaho panhandle, and Churchill, CA—offer the best viewing possibilities of the northern lights, a recent uptick in solar activity means you may be able to see this incredible phenomenon from a growing list of states and cities across North America on certain clear nights.
Thinking about planning a trip to see the auroras for yourself? Reach out to me here, and I can make it happen!
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