Best Places to See the Northern Lights Around the World
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a striking astronomical phenomenon that can be spotted in select locations around the world. The bright lights stretch across the night sky in a majestic palette of green, yellow, blue, and purple; and have been dazzling viewers for thousands of years. The sight is caused by solar wind interacting with gases in the atmosphere, which means it technically happens year-round—but we can only see them when it is sufficiently dark, so stick to the winter months and keep your distance from city lights when chasing the northern lights!
Dreaming of seeing the aurora borealis with your own eyes? We’re sharing some of the best places to visit around the globe to catch a glimpse of this breathtaking display.
Alaska
One of the prime places in the world to see the northern lights in action is Alaska. The best places are from Fairbanks northward, like Chena Hot Springs where you can relax in the heated viewing areas and watch the lights all night long.
Though farther south, Denali National Park often sees aurora activity, and when conditions are right, the sky lights up across the state. Or stay in outdoorsy and youthful Talkeetna, which provides beautiful views of the lights against the Alaska Range’s jagged mountains. If you’re in Anchorage and looking for relatively dark places nearby, try Point Woronzof or Glen Alps Trailhead!
Norway
Norway draws a lot of people in search of aurora action, and for good reason! In wintertime, the northern lights can be seen from most places with little light pollution; in northern Norway, this is practically everywhere. One of our favorite places to stay is Aurora Canvas Domes in Alta, where you can sleep “under the sky” in a dome with a glass ceiling—the perfect place to lie warm and cozy while watching the lights.
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Svalbard is another great option since it’s so far north, though not for the faint of heart with its restrictions on being alone outside, due to polar bears! If you’re staying in Tromsø, you can take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of the mountain to get high above the city lights, or walk 20 minutes out of the city to Telegrafbukta park.
From majestic fjords and mountains to fairytale towns and picturesque harbors, Norway is one of a kind. Savor Scandinavian life like a local with Moon Norway.
Banff National Park
The Canadian Rockies are a great place to witness the mesmerizing northern lights, and there’s no better spot among them than Banff National Park. Head to Lake Minnewanka (the most well-known aurora watching location) for an unforgettable view of the wide open skies above the large lake. Or try Cascade Ponds’ picnic area, which is tucked into the trees and sure to be more of a secluded experience. If you’re looking for something easily accessible from the town of Banff, visit Vermilion Lakes instead!
Iceland
People travel to Iceland from around the world to see the aurora borealis dancing in the night sky. Though all you really have to do to see the northern lights when they’re on is venture outside a city area and look up, we recommend Grótta Lighthouse in Reykjavík which is easily accessible and will give you unobstructed views of the sky and the ocean.
Another particularly excellent place is Þingvellir National Park, a favorite for local photographers capturing the aurora in all their splendor. If you’re looking to venture even farther north from the city, Mount Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula offers an ethereal addition to the northern lights.
Michigan
While more rare to sight the elusive aurora borealis farther south, there are some areas like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that are positioned just right to observe the display. The very best location for northern lights scouting is the Headlands International Dark Sky Park near Mackinaw City, which is a designated area kept dark and undisturbed specifically for stargazing (thanks to the International Dark Sky Association).
Or simply find an isolated spot on the Lake Superior shore, or another location that’s at a high elevation. Wherever you are, bundle up and don’t forget to bring some entertainment, like a deck of cards. It’s worth the wait!
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