Is there anything more beautiful than the Northern lights lighting up the skies across the United States? Typically found near the Arctic Circle, this extraordinary natural phenomenon is making a special appearance farther south due to heightened geomagnetic activity and will be gracing the skies of Americans all across the country.
For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience, and these are some of the best states to find the best seat in the house and enjoy the wonders the world has to offer.
1. Alaska
Alaska stands out as one of the best places in the world to witness the aurora borealis. Thanks to its location directly beneath the auroral oval, a ring of geomagnetic activity that makes the Northern Lights especially vivid here, Alaska is one of the best places to see this magnificent spectacle. While Alaska is approaching the summer solstice, there’s still an opportunity to see it.
If you’re determined to catch a glimpse, the best chance is during the brief periods of astronomical twilight, typically in the very late hours or early morning, and ideally from locations farthest south or with the darkest possible horizons.
2. Washington
This is another great place to watch the aurora, as it can occasionally be seen from several scenic locations across the state. The northern counties, like Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan, are some of the best spots as they have low light pollution and clear northern horizons.
For the best seat in the house, visit North Cascades National Park, where the dark skies and rugged terrain provide an ideal backdrop, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, and Artist Point near Mount Baker. If you’re close to Seattle, the best places to be are Snoqualmie Point Park and Deception Pass State Park, which give you the best vantage points when conditions are right.
3. Montana
With wide-open landscapes, minimal light pollution, and expansive dark skies, it’s no surprise that this state is one of the best places to see the aurora borealis bright and clear in the sky. Northern and central Montana is a great place to start, with Glacier National Park standing out as a top destination thanks to its clear horizons and breathtaking mountain scenery.
The best time to catch the aurora is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. when geomagnetic activity peaks and skies are darkest. Some other great spots to see these lights are Ackley Lake, Bannack, Medicine Rocks, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flathead National Forest for a crystal clear view of the sky.
4. Maine
When the conditions are perfect, combined with rural landscapes and minimal light pollution, you have a surefire chance of spotting these magnificent lights in the sky. Some of the best spots for aurora watching in the state are Katahdin Woods, Waters National Monument, Aroostook County, Baxter State Park, and the shores of larger lakes like Millinocket Lake, where you have a clear view of northern horizons.
To ensure the best chance of spotting the aurora borealis, find dark spots with open areas facing north, and remember to check aurora forecasts for peak geomagnetic activity throughout the night.
5. Minnesota
With a northern latitude, an abundance of dark skies, and thousands of inland lakes, Minnesota is a great place to make sure you spot these Northern lights. The northern regions, especially areas around Voyageurs National Park, Lake Kabetogama, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, are great places to find a seat and enjoy the view.
While the aurora can occasionally be glimpsed as far south as Minneapolis during intense solar activity, the most vivid and reliable displays are found in the state’s far north.
6. Michigan
Dark skies and expansive shorelines make for some of the best places to see the northern lights, and the Upper Peninsula is filled with these options. The best places would be Keweenaw International Dark Sky Park and Brockway Mountain Drive, where visitors can have an unobstructed view of the night sky.
Other options include Drummond Island, Brimley State Park, and Grand Rapids. Any of these spots will give you a prime view of the aurora borealis, giving you the show of a lifetime!
7. Idaho
If you want the best chance of spotting these lights in the sky, you want to find yourself in the northern part of the state, where dark skies and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions. Priest Lake, Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint, and Heyburn State Park on Chatcolet Lake all have the best view of the northern skies and scenic backdrops for the aurora’s colorful display.
The chances of seeing the northern lights in other regions of the state are slim, but you can catch a glimpse in areas like the Stanley and Sun Valley areas, Island Park near Idaho Falls, and the Craters of the Moon National Monument.
8. North Dakota
North Dakota is one of the best places for viewing the northern lights. It is filled with rural landscapes and some of the darkest skies in the Midwest. Some of the best spots are Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Pembina Gorge, Sully Creek State Park, and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. If you want the best chances of seeing them burn bright, go around 10 p.m. and midnight, especially when geomagnetic activity is high, and skies are clear of clouds or smoke.
9. Wisconsin
Last but definitely not least, this is one of the best seats in the house, thanks to dark skies and minimal light pollution. Some of the best spots are Newport State Park in Door County, Rock Island State Park, and Washington Island, which all have an unobstructed view of northern horizons along Lake Michigan.
If you’re looking for a more remote experience, Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island and other spots along the Lake Superior shoreline are also a great place to be!
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