Best Places To See Northern Lights In Canada – This makes it one of the experiences at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. Lucky for us, Canada has some of the best climates for catching stars and the Northern Lights in the world. So, if you’re looking for the best places to catch these magical lights in Canada, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know…
Also known as Northern Lights, the aurora borealis is a celestial display of light. The Aurora borealis is created only when charged particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. This amazing natural spectacle can only be seen in the night sky, illuminating it with color. It’s no wonder that experiencing the northern lights is at the top of many people’s bucket lists. Put some stars in the background and this landscape can be a wonderful experience.
Best Places To See Northern Lights In Canada
You can see the Northern Lights throughout the year in some parts of Canada. If you’re looking to maximize your chances, dark skies are essential. The more hours of darkness, the more likely they are to be caught. Therefore, it is not surprising that the best times to see the Northern Lights in Canada are during the winter, from October to March.
Northern Lights: 11 Best Places To See The Aurora Borealis
Remember to check the Northern Lights forecast before heading out for the night. Use the KP index to analyze the Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind. The faster the solar wind blows, the more activity you should expect at night. A high KP with clear skies means there is a high chance of catching the Northern Lights. So if all goes well, go outside between 11pm and 3am for the best hours of darkness.
Stay away from the big cities, which emit a lot of light pollution and head to Northern Canada for the best chance of catching them. Here’s our pick:
Because of the cold and dark winters, Whitehorse is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Canada. Visit the Takhini Hot Springs while you’re there and do the whole trip here.
Northern Lights In Canada
For the closest Aurora Borealis to Toronto, you’ll need to drive a few hours north. Located on Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Ontario. The area is protected by the Canadian government as a Dark Sky Reserve as part of the Bruce Peninsula National Park, providing some of the darkest skies in Ontario. Its conditions make it the perfect place to catch some bright stars and the northern lights.
The high latitude of Churchill, Manitoba makes it the perfect place to see the Northern Lights. Not only is Churchill one of the most beautiful places, but it also has some of the largest populations of polar bears in Canada. Visit from September to November if you want to catch polar bears and Northern Lights in the same trip!
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This Map Shows You The Best Places To View The Northern Lights In Canada
If you’re looking for the Northern Lights in Calgary, you’ll need to drive a few hours north to Banff National Park. You will see beautiful lakes and rocky mountains. The northern lights in Banff can be unpredictable and challenging depending on the time of year. Visit in autumn for the best chance and on a clear night, you might get lucky!
If you are looking for the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada, this place should be on your list. Jasper National Park is a dark sky reserve, making it a great place to catch the stars at any time of the year.
Although it is further north, Yellowknife is worth a visit! With limited light pollution in the area, you have a better chance of catching the Northern Lights here. The flat landscape of the area means you can see the Northern Lights all across the sky.
The Best Place To See The Northern Lights In The World Is Apparently Right Here In Canada
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It is possible to see the Northern Lights without leaving Vancouver; However, the weather conditions must be perfect! From December to March, head north of Squamish to see the Northern Lights in British Columbia. Porteau Cove Provincial Park has minimal light pollution and the beach area is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Canada.
Since we are located in the Northern Hemisphere, as long as you are far enough from the city, you should be able to see the beautiful Northern Lights in Canada. See the Northern Lights forecast and drive until midnight. Trust us, you’ll never forget this sight… Elusive and high on travel bucket lists, the phenomenon of the Northern Lights has long fascinated those who catch a glimpse of its mesmerizing colors. And while the celestial show also known as the Aurora Borealis is notoriously fickle, a trip to northern Canada offers a wonderful opportunity to see it: nature’s most spectacular light show unfolds north of -country in an average of 240 nights per year.
Northern Lights: How To See Aurora Borealis In Canada
So what exactly causes the vast glowing curtains of emerald green, yellow, and purple that fill the night sky? The lights you see are charged particles from the sun colliding with atoms as they enter the Earth’s magnetic field. This activity is always happening but there are factors that affect how bright the lights are and whether you can see them at all. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Northern Lights in Canada.
There are three main provinces and territories in Canada where sightings of the elusive phenomena are almost guaranteed.
Churchill, in far northern Manitoba, boasts perfect Northern Lights viewing conditions nearly 300 nights a year thanks to its location directly below the Aurora Oval.
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Relax at Seal River Heritage Inn in Churchill Wild or Diamond Lake Eco Lodge where attentive staff will ensure you never miss a chance to see the lights. For an adventure you will never forget, Hotel Churchill will organize a night in the Aurora Dome – a heated glass bubble placed far from the city’s light pollution to offer incredible views of the dazzling.
Or try a Photo Adventure tour with Frontiers North, where a dedicated team will take you to the best spots to see the lights and teach you how to capture the colorful scene on camera. For an adventure you’ll never forget, Frontiers North also offers a unique Tundra Buggy Adventure that brings you up close and personal with the local wildlife before taking you from Churchill to dinner under the Aurora itself.
Bucket list picks don’t get much bigger than seeing the Northern Lights in five-star style. Get great deals on flights to Canada today
Aurora Village Is One Of The Best Places To See The Northern Lights
Canada’s far northwest territory is sparsely populated and has very little light pollution – stellar conditions for viewing the Northern Lights. The show is at its best here in early winter, under dark skies, and even better when viewed from a warm spot outside.
At Northern Lights Resort & Spa, you can see the northern lights from hot tubs, tents or cozy cabins with expansive glass walls. Alternatively, you can warm up by the wood-burning barrel stove while you wait for the show to start on a tour organized with Northern Tales Travel Service.
For the best photo opportunities, head to the Midnight Dome in Dawson City – a scenic spot with views of the Yukon River, epic Klondike Valley, and the Aurora blazing in the sky.
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A direct two-hour flight from Vancouver or Calgary on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, is inland, so it is mostly free of clouds and fog —required for the clearest views. In fact, the view is so clear that the Northwest Territories average 240 nights a year of perfect viewing conditions of the Northern Lights.
Aurora seekers typically stay at hotels like The Explorer or Chateau Nova before venturing out to see hotspots like Aurora Village, a fire-warming teepee wilderness experience 20 minutes from downtown.
Off the grid, the eco-award winning Blachford Lake Lodge & Wilderness Resort is just a 25-minute flight from Yellowknife and offers lodge or log cabin accommodation with in-house chefs.
Best Time And Place To See The Northern Lights In Canada
Contrary to popular belief, the Aurora Borealis is visible all year round but you have a better chance of seeing it during the long northern winter. There are two main seasons for the Northern Lights in Canada: from late August to October, when temperatures are relatively mild; And from mid-November to early April is when the skies clear – be sure to wear your rugs!
It doesn’t take a scientist to know that cloud cover and light pollution hurt your chances of seeing the lights. As a general rule, the longer you stay, the better your odds. To help make your Aurora experience truly special, many resorts dedicated to viewing the Northern Lights offer four- to five-day packages. Whether you’re planning a trip to see polar bears in Manitoba or city-hopping in southeastern cities like Montreal and Toronto, Canada is a cultural wonderland.
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