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Chase the Aurora: 15 Best Spots to Witness the Magical Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are a spellbinding celestial wonder that we’re lucky to even witness! These lights make the dark sky colourful and vibrant and always make my jaw drop every single time!

Because of our location on the map, Canada is one of the best places to see these merry dancers—we sure are lucky! But they’re not visible just from anywhere because of light pollution and cloudy skies.

So, if you’re chasing these dancing lights, here are the top spots in Canada where the Aurora Borealis loves to make a splash in the sky!

Yukon

Whitehorse

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Best Time to Go: September to early April

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A prime spot to watch the Northern Lights in Canada is in Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. Its location in the auroral oval makes the mesmerising lights look more vibrant in the dark sky.

You can see it above Fish Lake or on the way there. But one of the best things about this place is you can book guided tours and activities to view the Northern Lights—some hotels offer this activity.

We recommend Northern Lights Resort & Spa, where you’ll stay in a cabin surrounded by nature. The awesome part of your stay is you can see the dark sky boom with colours right from inside your room!

Pro Tip:
The best time to view the Aurora Borealis is when the sky’s really dark, anywhere from 10 pm to 3 am.

Tombstone Territorial Park

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Best Time to Go: August to early September

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Experience the Yukon wilderness at Tombstone Territorial Park, a playground for nature wanderers. Located seven hours from Whitehorse, you can visit to hike and camp while being surrounded by the most incredible views.

It’s a more remote area than our usual Northern Lights destinations, but it does add a spice of adventure because of the rugged terrains and wildlife sightings. Plus, it feels like you’re actively hunting the whimsical lights.

The cloudy skies can put a dent in your adventure because it’ll cover the sky, so it’s best to check the weather first before hiking. If you plan to camp, don’t forget to purchase a permit.

Pro Tip:
Bring cash because the Interpretive Centre doesn’t accept card payments. You should also make sure your vehicle has a full tank because the nearest gas stations are in Dawson City and Eagle Plains, which are 1.5 hours and 4.5 hours away, respectively.

Northwest Territories

Yellowknife

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Best Time to Go: August to October & mid-November to April

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Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, is a popular destination to see the Northern Lights, as it sits just below the auroral oval. There are lots of places to see the vibrant dark skies because there’s not a lot of light pollution here.

The chances of seeing the Auroral display are high, given that it’s visible an average of up to 240 nights a year. The long winter nights definitely help a lot!

Support the Indigenous-owned Aurora Village while getting the best viewing experience with tours that include transportation from downtown, warm teepees, and hot drinks! There are guides who speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean.

Pro Tip:
Look into the Aurora Viewing and Hotel Package at Aurora Village if you want to stay for a couple of nights. Aside from the Aurora, you can also book dog sledding and snowshoeing activities.

Tuktut Nogait National Park

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Best Time to Go: September to mid-April

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Another remote location in Canada to catch the Aurora is Tuktut Nogait National Park, one of North America’s most isolated parks. Its remote location makes it a top spot for the vibrant, multicoloured lights.

The secluded environment is perfect for a peaceful viewing. Besides the Northern Lights, you’ll also discover the marvellous gorges, rushing rivers, and rolling hills!

The Blachford Lake Lodge is a cosy spot to admire the vibrant sky. It offers Aurora viewing packages for winter, spring, and autumn, which include the use of sports equipment and activities.

Pro Tip:
Visit in the winter for a more magical time.

Nunavut

Iqaluit

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Best Time to Go: October to April

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Take a trip to the capital of Nunavut to watch the beautiful lights in the sky. They’re best seen in the winter when the weather is cold, the nights are longer, and the skies are darker.

You can even see the lights straight from your room. But a guided tour is the way to go, like Inukpak Outfitting, for excursions and expeditions that will also give you a chance to explore the place.

The glowing Aurora is visible 200 nights a year (sometimes even more!). They’re visible pretty much the whole sky, sometimes faint with green lights.

Pro Tip:
Watch the sky starting at 10 pm for the most optimal viewing experience.

Auyuittuq National Park

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Best Time to Go: September to April

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One of the prime spots for the Northern Lights in Nunavut is at Auyuittuq National Park in Baffin Island. It’s a hiker’s paradise where you can camp under the Aurora Borealis, which is honestly an awesome prize after hiking the Akshayuk Pass.

This is also one of those bucket list experiences because of the breathtaking views. It’s not the easiest place to visit, though.

Book a flight to Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq, the nearest communities to the national park, and then ride a snowmobile or boat to reach your destination. This isn’t for inexperienced visitors, and you need to contact a local guide or outfitter.

Pro Tip:
We suggest booking a guided tour for safer travel. They can also help you with the logistics since it’s not easy to reach the park.

Manitoba

Churchill

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Best Time to Go: January to March

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Churchill is a top spot for the best views of the Northern Lights in Manitoba. This one’s easier to go to, which you can do by plane or train from Winnipeg—it’s just a 2.5-hour flight.

For the best destinations, go to The Churchill Northern Studies Centre for tours and learning vacations or the Aurora Domes for glamping trips under the dazzling lights. The domes are ideal for serene trips since you’re away from light pollution and noise.

What’s even cooler is you can have a two-in-one activity! Visit during the best Aurora Borealis viewing season and see the beluga whales or polar bears.

To make your trip easier, check out our Winnipeg-Churchill travel guide!

Pro Tip:
Check the weather because cloudy skies will affect the visibility of the Aurora Borealis.

Wekusko Falls Provincial Park

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Best Time to Go: August to April

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Take a trip to Wekusko Falls Provincial Park to enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, birding, geocaching, and camping. What’s cool is you can explore the area and come back to your campground at night to be surrounded by the polar lights.

Don’t forget to bring your camera to get stunning photos of the Aurora Borealis against the silhouette of the trees. Those will surely get you a tonne of likes!

While you’re already there, here are cool activities in Churchill you can also do for a complete experience!

Pro Tip:
Get a campsite with a view of the falls. In case the Aurora Borealis doesn’t show up, you still get stunning scenery while camping.

Alberta

Banff National Park

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Best Time to Go: Late September to early April

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Banff National Park is probably the most common place to see the Aurora Borealis in Alberta. It’s also a popular spot for summer and winter activities since it’s an adventurer’s paradise with its hiking trails, pristine lakes, and vast wildlife.

The Aurora Borealis in Banff can be seen in many places, particularly in Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, and Bow Lake. You can even catch a glimpse from a hotel, so book a place with a rooftop (a hot tub would be cool, too!).

If you stay in The Rimrock Resort, you can take advantage of the Aurora wake-up call. The staff will call to let you know if you can see the Northern Lights from the hotel.

If you want to capture the mesmerising lights, check out this article for the best viewing places in and near Banff.

Pro Tip:
Before booking your hotel, ask if there’s a rooftop and if you can catch the Northern Lights from there. That way, you still have a chance to see the vibrant sky at night should you get tired from all your daytime activities.

Jasper National Park

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Best Time to Go: September to March

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If you want to avoid large crowds in Banff, head over to Jasper National Park, which offers gorgeous scenery and activities but is less touristy and more affordable. From the town, you can visit Maligne Lake, Old Fort Point or Lake Annette to catch the Aurora.

For a more visible viewing, the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve is the best option. It protects the night sky and reduces light pollution, making it an excellent spot to catch the merry dancers.

Visit during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October to take part in events with fellow Aurora Borealis chasers. There are shows, stargazing, and other activities during the nighttime.

If you’re coming from Banff, here’s a travel guide if you want to drive to Jasper. The trip is an experience in itself!

Pro Tip:
Check the forecast, wait for the really dark sky, and look north.

British Columbia

Vancouver Island

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Best Time to Go: November to April

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Vancouver Island should be on your list, not just because of the Northern Lights. It’s basically an oasis for wanderers because of its natural wonders, outdoor activities, and diverse wildlife.

When chasing the Aurora, go to wide-open places like beaches. A good place to start is at Rathtrevor Beach. There’s a parking area near the shoreline, just in front of the beach path.

It’s best to go when the nights are longer when it’s usually more visible, right around midnight until 2 or 3 am. The clear night skies at this place have minimal light pollution, which makes it a great spot.

Pro Tip:
Avoid areas with lots of buildings and lights. Places with vast horizons are ideal.

Quebec

Charlevoix

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Best Time to Go: September to April

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A more accessible place to chase the Aurora Borealis in Canada is in Quebec. It’s only less than 1.5 hours by car from Quebec City, and it’s not as remote as the other places on our list.

Areas with the most visible Northern Lights in Charlevoix are La Malbaie and the  Saguenay Fjord. Go to open spaces, but also check the Quebec Aurora Borealis forecast because they won’t be visible at all times.

Pro Tip:
Look north for the Aurora Borealis. But do check the solar activity because seeing the colourful skies is not guaranteed even during winter.

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

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Best Time to Go: mid-November to early April

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Just a 2-hour drive from Montreal, and you can chase the Aurora Borealis in Quebec! Parc national du Mont-Tremblant (Mont-Tremblant National Park) is a certified International Dark Sky Place, which means it protects the starry night sky.

And because of that, the national park is an accessible place to view the vibrant lights. Some of the best places to catch them are at Lac-des-Sables and Lac-Escalier, where you can camp under the stars.

Pro Tip:
Before camping at the park, check your Aurora Borealis app for better chances of seeing it.

Ontario

Manitoulin Island

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Best Time to Go: September to March

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Yes, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Ontario. Manitoulin Eco Park in Manitoulin Island is a Dark Sky Preserve, which has really dark skies for better viewing of the Aurora Borealis.

There are many campsites, but we recommend the DarkSky Camp Sites and Stargazing Cabin because of their untouched wilderness and strict no-white light rule. Your light should be red to minimise light pollution and preserve the dark skies.

Pro Tip:
While you’re here, go stargazing, too. The best time is during the new moon.

Pukaskwa National Park

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Best Time to Go: September to mid-November

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Pukaskwa National Park along Lake Superior offers vibrant displays of the Aurora Borealis in Ontario. Its remoteness makes it an ideal location for dark skies and peaceful surroundings.

If you’re on an Aurora-chasing journey, camp out near the beach for the vast horizon. And while you’re there, you can hike and kayak in the morning!

Pro Tip:
Check the weather before driving off. The campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early when there’s a high chance for the Aurora Borealis to show up on weekends or holidays.

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