Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Canada
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Canada is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. You may also know them by their scientific name – Aurora Borealis. With vast wilderness, minimal light pollution, and locations directly under the auroral oval, Canada offers breathtaking displays of this natural wonder.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best places in Canada to see the Northern Lights, when you should go, and essential travel tips to enhance your Aurora adventure.
- Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
- Whitehorse, Yukon
- Churchill, Manitoba
- Jasper, Alberta
- Iqaluit, Nunavut
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northern Ontario
What Causes the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. These interactions produce colourful light displays with green, purple, red, and blue lights in the night sky. The best time to see the display is during clear nights away from artificial lights, typically between 10 PM and 2 AM.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Canada
While Aurora activity occurs year-round, the optimal season is from September to April when nights are long and dark. The best viewing conditions include minimal light pollution, cold, clear nights, and high solar activity. Check Aurora forecasts for peak geomagnetic storms coming up.
1
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
The Aurora Capital
Yellowknife is one of the world’s best places to see the Northern Lights. With 240 nights of Aurora activity per year, your chances of witnessing this spectacle are incredibly high.
- The best time to visit: late August – April.
- Where to watch: Aurora Village and Great Slave Lake.
- Other things to do in the area: dog sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling.
2
Whitehorse, Yukon
A Northern Lights Adventure
Surrounded by stunning mountains and lakes, Whitehorse offers a beautiful backdrop for your Aurora viewing. With 240 nights of potential sightings per year, it’s a top destination for Northern Lights enthusiasts. You can even relax in a hot spring while watching the sky dance above.
- The best time to visit: November – March.
- Where to watch: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs and Lake Laberge.
- Other things to do in the area: wildlife tours, hot springs, snowmobiling, hiking.
3
Churchill, Manitoba
The Polar Bear Capital
Churchill is famous not only for its polar bears and beluga whales. But also for being an Aurora hotspot with 300 nights of visible northern lights per year. The remote subarctic location ensures dark skies and high chances of catching a brilliant display.
- The best time to visit: January – March.
- Where to watch: Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
- Other things to do in the area: polar bear viewing, tundra buggy tours, Indigenous cultural experiences.
4
Jasper National Park, Alberta
A Dark Sky Preserve
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Jasper is one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world. This space is home to minimal light pollution and incredible stargazing conditions. The Aurora Borealis frequently appears, lighting up the night sky over the rugged Rockies and glacier-fed lakes.
- The best time to visit: October – April.
- Where to watch: Pyramid Lake and Maligne Lake.
- Other things to do in the area: gondola rides, wildlife tours, planetarium visits, hiking.
5
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Remote and wild Northern Lights
For those seeking a truly off-the-grid adventure, Iqaluit offers a chance to see the Northern Lights in an untouched Arctic setting. With minimal artificial light and vast tundra landscapes, it’s an incredible spot for night photography and solitude.
- The best time to visit: October – April.
- Where to watch: Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park.
- Other things to do in the area: ice fishing, dog sledding, Arctic wildlife tours.
6
Newfoundland and Labrador
Coastal Aurora Views
While often overlooked for Northern Lights viewing, Newfoundland and Labrador provide dramatic coastal Aurora displays in Canada. The province’s rugged coastline and remote landscapes make for an unforgettable experience.
- The best time to visit: September – October or March – April.
- Where to watch: L’Anse aux Meadows.
- Other things to do in the area: iceberg watching, visiting Viking heritage sites, and hiking.
7
Northern Ontario
Accessible Aurora Viewing
If you’re in southern Canada and can’t travel too far north, Ontario offers great Aurora opportunities. Head to its northern wilderness for spectacular light shows without needing a flight to the Arctic.
- The best time to visit: September – March.
- Where to watch: Manitoulin Island and Pukaskwa National Park.
- Other things to do in the area: canoeing, wildlife photography, stargazing.
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Tips for Seeing the Northern Lights in Canada
- Check the Aurora Forecast before You Go
• Aurora Watch Canada
• NOAA Space Weather Prediction - Find Dark Sky Preserves or Locations
• The further you are from city lights, the better.
• National and provincial parks often have designated dark sky preserves. - Dress Warmly
• Layer up with insulated jackets, gloves, and thermal boots.
• Bring hand warmers if viewing in extreme cold. - Be Patient and Stay Up Late
• The best displays often occur after midnight.
• Give yourself at least 3-4 hours under the sky to increase your chances of catching the Northern Lights.
Plan Your Northern Lights Adventure with Canoo
With so many incredible locations to experience the aurora borealis, now is the perfect time to plan your adventure. Whether you’re hiking in Jasper National Park or relaxing in a Yukon hot spring, Canada offers some of the best Northern Lights experiences in the world.
Want to explore Canada’s natural wonders? Download Canoo and get exclusive access to parks, attractions, and cultural experiences across the country!
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