These Are The 8 Best Places To See The Northern Lights In The U.S. This Winter 

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Last Updated 17 hours in the past

When you consider bucket lists, one of many prime journey experiences that involves thoughts is witnessing the northern lights (or Aurora Borealis) drape throughout the sky.

The attract of the otherworldly colours dancing above your head as you stand bundled up within the chilly is simply an excessive amount of to cross up for many vacationers. 

While most individuals assume that you could journey far to see this splendor, the reality is that in America we’re additionally spoiled for choices by way of locations to witness this phenomenon. 

While dreamy locations akin to Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Northern Canada do provide wonderful alternatives to see the Northern Lights, many Americans needn’t go that removed from residence. 

Of course, the aforementioned locations are all worthy of a visit, however if you’re trying to save cash and time, try a few of these locations throughout the U.S. that make nice viewpoints to see the northern lights this winter. 

Note: No matter the place you go, for the perfect probability of viewing the northern lights, be sure to examine the dark sky forecast, the climate forecast, and an Aurora forecast earlier than any journey. 

@cnlastro WHAT?!?!🥹 #Alaska #northernlights #aurora #home ♬ original sound – Andy Witteman

Here Are 8 Of The Best Places To See The Northern Lights In The U.S. This Winter:

Fairbanks, Alaska

It ought to go with out saying that Alaska is the primary finest place in America to see the northern lights. While there are numerous Alaskan cities to select from, many hail Fairbanks as being the highest spot. 

With a stable tourism infrastructure right here, yow will discover all the things from basecamps, viewing pods, and scorching springs, making Fairbanks a vacation spot in itself. The lights are only a bonus at this level! 

@explorefairbanks The finest present you may give.. a visit to Fairbanks throughout Aurora Season august 21-April 21💚 #explorefairbanks #fairbanksalaska #northernlights #auroratours #auroraborealis #couplestravel #travelgoals ♬ Until I Found You – Em Beihold Version – Stephen Sanchez & Em Beihold

Arcadia National Park, Maine 

While the northeast of the nation is likely to be probably the most populated space and subsequently probably the most brightly lit sky, it’s nonetheless attainable to seek out corners of this area with skies darkish sufficient to witness the northern lights. 

Maine typically is understood to be an excellent state for viewing the lights, and the ever-popular Arcadia National Park is a perfect place to base your self. Make positive to decorate accordingly right here although, because the chilly winter gusts from the ocean make for some low temps. 

Mount Washington, New Hampshire

For the previous few years, the Mount Washington Observatory has recorded catching the northern lights, making this space another choice for witnessing the phenomena within the northeast area of the nation. 

The surrounding White Mountains have zero mild air pollution, and subsequently catching the aurora is extra seemingly than different areas of the state. 

Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan

The begin of Michigan is residence to 6 internationally designated Dark Sky Parks, in any other case generally known as pure areas that defend true darkness.

It goes with out saying that these darkish sky areas within the northern components of the U.S. could be prime locations to catch the northern lights within the winter, to not point out the Milky Way in the summertime months. 

If you go to Headlands, be at liberty to carry blankets and sleeping baggage, however know tenting just isn’t permitted. So, whilst you can sleep over and go to in any respect hours to look at the sky, don’t plan on pitching a tent. 

@atriparoundthemitten Spring is a good time to look at the night time skies for the wonderful northern lights and stellar star-gazing in Michigan! Some of the perfect viewing places are positioned in our Michigan State Parks in addition to 3 Internationally designated Dark Park Preserves. Spring Meteor Showers and the 2023 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival April 21-22, 2023 Lake Hudson Recreation Area- 5505 Morey Hwy Clayton, MI 49235 Negwegon State Park- Negwegon Park Rd, Ossineke, MI 49766 Port Cresent State Park- 1775 Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467 Rockport State Park- Rockport Rd, Alpena, MI 49707 Thompson Harbor State Park- Posen, MI 49776 Wilderness State Park- 903 Wilderness Park Dr. Carp Lake, MI 49718 Headlands International Dark Sky Park- 15675 Headlands Rd, Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Keweenaw Dark Sky Park- 14252 US HWY 41 Copper Harbor, MI 49918 Dr. T.Okay. Lawless International Dark Sky Park- 15122 Monkey Run St. Jones, MI 49061 *photographs utilized in reel taken by A Trip Around the Mitten at McLain State Park- Sept 2022 #puremichigan #mistateparks #michigandarkskypark #spring #keweenaw #upperpeninsula #upperpeninsulamichigan #darkskypark #mistargazer #northernlights ♬ original sound – atriparoundthemitten

The Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

This group of twenty-two islands lies off the coast of Northern Wisconsin, located within the waters of Lake Superior. This space is a National Lakeshore and welcomes guests year-round, though it does ask folks to stay knowledgeable as the present ever-changing climate circumstances. 

Even if don’t catch the aurora right here, you may nonetheless discover the cliff-like islands jutting out of the lake, frozen over and fully mesmerizing. 

Malletts Bay, Vermont

If you’re fortunate sufficient to seek out your self in both the beautiful upstate New York area of the Adirondack Mountains or in Vermont’s picturesque metropolis of Burlington, then making your solution to Malletts Bay to catch the northern lights within the winter is a must-do. The space varieties a kind of peninsula into Lake Champlain, and that is the place lots of the aurora chasers come to strive their luck. 

The peninsula is residence to Causeway Park and Mills Point, the place you may get cozy and gaze up into the northern sky whereas ready in your pure mild present to start out. The in style close by resort space of Stow can be a very good place to try to catch the lights if you’re right here on a foliage or ski trip. 

Glacier National Park, Montana

As one of many most visited nationwide parks within the nation, Montana’s Glacier National Park is a good place to try to watch the lights dance above Montana’s Rocky Mountains.

Some of the perfect viewing locations within the park embrace the glacier-carved Lake McDonald and the lodge there’s a good place to remain as nicely. 

Looking Glass Road additionally has a number of viewpoints which might be in style with aurora watchers, and for a extra distant location, you may strive Bowman and Kintla lakes. 

@clanger_mcbanger Did you understand you may see the Aurora in Montana? #aurora #northernlights #nightphotography #fyp #glacier #glaciernationalpark ♬ Living Life, In The Night – sergionabeat

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Tucked away in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border, yow will discover one of many least visited National Parks,  lake-laden Voyageurs National Park, a major place to try to catch the northern lights this winter. 

Most campsites are nice locations to attend for the lights, as are the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and the boat launch areas of Kabetogama Lake and Ash River. 

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