Bucket List Northern Lights Viewing Experiences in America
Iceland, Norway and Sweden are all famous places to view aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, a natural light display where ghostly green, blue, pink and purple swirls of light appear in the night sky. But did you know that there’s no need to bust out your passport to see this phenomenon with your own eyes? There are a number of places in the U.S. where aurora borealis is visible and it can be easier, cheaper and just as spectacular to view the lights at home. Check out these northern lights viewing camping experiences in America, some may just be a short drive away.
Put these five U.S. northern lights experiences on your bucket list.
1. Spot the Northern Lights from an International Dark Sky Park
Where: Mackinaw City, Michigan
Why: Headlands International Dark Sky Park is a 600-acre parcel of old growth forest that sits on two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline. The park has designated dark sky viewing areas and is a popular place for hopefuls to come to get a glimpse of aurora borealis. Your best chance of seeing the northern lights at Headlands International Dark Sky Park is between August and April and statistically the aurora is most active around the times of equinox in late March and September; but the lights are hard to predict and may be seen without prior warning at any time of the year. Even if you don’t glimpse the lights, you won’t leave Headlands disappointed. Stargazing in the park is spectacular and it’s not uncommon to spy shooting stars, glowing planets and the hazy stretch of the Milky Way. The park is open 24/7, so head out at night to see the stars or during the day to hike on-site trails.
Where to Stay: There is no camping in the park. Mackinaw City KOA is five minutes away. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, 10 minutes away, accommodates tent and RV campers, plus cabin rentals.
2. Watch Aurora Borealis Dance Over Glacier National Park
Where: Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, Montana
Why: Located just a few miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park is Lake McDonald, a glacier-carved lake that makes a great place for viewing the northern lights. Ten miles long and surrounded by high peaks, the lake is big enough to afford a great view of the sky and scenic enough to make this a trip to remember, whether you spot the northern lights or not. Though the lights may be seen any time of year, your chance is best in the winter and spring when the nights are longer. Park officials recommend checking out the Aurora Forecast and looking for a KP rating of 5 or above for the best chance to see the ghostly glow.
Where to Stay: Apgar Campground is the largest campground in Glacier National Park, accommodating tent and RV campers. West Glacier KOA is 10 minutes from the lake with cabins.
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3. Search for the Northern Lights at the New England Outdoor Center
Where: Millinocket, Maine
Why: Located on Millinocket Lake and overlooking Mount Katahdin, the New England Outdoor Center is a beautiful place to view the Northern Lights. The big sky views above the lake make a great place to search for the dancing colors and the silhouette of Katahdin in the distance adds a mystical beauty to the experience. It’s possible to spot the northern lights at any time of year at the New England Outdoor Center, but they tend to be most active in the fall and spring. It’s not just the lights, however, that bring people to this beautiful location in Maine. Rafting, overnight canoe trips, cross country skiing and wildlife tours are just a few of the outdoor adventures that will make your trip to New England Outdoor Center worth it whether or not those elusive lights appear in the sky.
Where to Stay: Cabins and camping are both available at the New England Outdoor Center. Wilderness Edge is a nearby campground that can accommodate RV campers.
4. Road Trip the Northern Lights
Where: Cook County, Minnesota
Why: Cook County, Minnesota is the best place in Minnesota to view the Northern Lights due to its northern location and dark skies. In Cook County, the lights appear about once a month, no matter the time of year, but most frequently occur in the late fall and winter. Though there are many great places to set up shop and search the skies for lights (both Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters make great viewing locations), try the Northern Lights Driving Map for an aurora borealis inspired road trip. Not only will these routes give you a great opportunity to spot the lights, but you’ll get to see the best of what northern Minnesota has to offer: cascading waterfalls, lakeside vistas and pine forests. The best time to see the lights is between 9pm and 4am, so pack a thermos of coffee for a night drive.
Where to Stay: Bearskin Lodge offers cabin and lodge rentals as well as RV and tent camping.
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5. Experience the Northern Lights at an Alaskan Hot Springs Resort
Where: Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks, Alaska
Why: Located directly under the Aurora Oval, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis in Fairbanks are quite high during the aurora’s most active season of late August through late April. For a truly unique experience, head out to Chena Hot Springs Resort, a resort with a hot springs pool and wintertime activities such as dog sled rides, snowmobile tours, and ski, snowshoe and ice skating rentals. The best place to view the northern lights at Chena Hot Springs Resort is from the Activity Center which is open 24 hours a day. The resort also offers a special “aurora wake-up call” and will alert guests when the lights appear, no matter the time of night.
Where to Stay: The resort has lodge rooms, cabin rentals and camping, RV and yurt accommodations.
