10 Places to See the Northern Lights in the USA
The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, is a stunning natural phenomenon of colored light that appears in the night sky near the Arctic region. The vastness of the United States has the potential to offer many spectacular views of the Northern Lights, and this article will discuss the best places to view them.
Alaska
Alaska is well known for its stunning beauty and is one of the best places in the US to observe the Northern Lights. Alaska offers vast and open areas with clear skies that provide a perfect backdrop for the Aurora Borealis. The best places to view the Northern Lights in Alaska are Fairbanks, Anchorage, and the Denali National Park.
Minnesota
Minnesota, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is the second-best place to view the Northern Lights in the United States. The ideal time to view the lights in Minnesota is during the winter months, as the cold temperatures produce clear and dark skies that allow for optimal Northern Lights viewing. Popular spots to view the Aurora Borealis in Minnesota are Grand Marais, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the Gunflint Trail.
Montana
Montana is the third-best place to see the Northern Lights in the US due to its wide-open spaces and lack of light pollution. The Flathead Valley is renowned for its Northern Lights viewing opportunities and its two national parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, both offer spectacular Aurora Borealis sightings. Other locations in Montana to view the Northern Lights are Bozeman, Whitefish, and West Glacier.
In addition to these three states, some other great places to view the Northern Lights in the US are:
- Michigan – The Upper Peninsula is a great place to view the Northern Lights in Michigan due to its lack of light pollution.
- Maine – Maine is an excellent place to view the Northern Lights due to its remote and sparsely populated areas.
- Nevada – While Nevada is known for its desert landscape, the rural areas outside of Las Vegas offer prime opportunities to observe the Aurora Borealis.
- Utah – Utah boasts numerous remote and dark spots to view the Northern Lights, such as the Clear Lake area near Utah’s West Rim.
- New Hampshire – New Hampshire is an ideal destination to view the Northern Lights due to its sparsely populated mountain regions.
- Washington – Washington has some of the darkest skies in the US, making it ideal for Northern Lights viewing from the many national parks in the area.
- Oregon – Oregon is another great state in the US for viewing the Northern Lights due to its diverse landscapes and lack of light pollution.
- Wyoming – Wyoming’s vast and open spaces are great for viewing the Northern Lights, with the Grand Tetons National Park being a prime location.
For those looking to experience the incredible beauty of the Northern Lights in the US, the locations above provide prime viewing opportunities. However, it is important to note that the best time to view the Aurora Borealis is during the winter months when the nights are long and dark. With the right timing and the right location, viewing the Northern Lights in the US can be an unforgettable experience.