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Best Place to See Northern Lights in Canada

The best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada is Churchill in Manitoba. Known for its clear skies and proximity to the auroral oval, it offers excellent viewing opportunities from January to March. Both Whitehorse, Yukon and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories are also superior options. For centuries, travellers have been entranced by the phenomena of the aurora borealis. There are several other places in Canada where you can see the Northern Lights, and winter, November to March, offers the best viewing.

Best Place in Canada to See Northern Lights

The team of local travel experts at Northern Lights Canada Tours by Fresh Tracks Canada — can help plan your aurora borealis vacation. Travel to Manitoba, Yukon, Yellowknife or the Canadian Rockies for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spend the daylight hours doing exciting winter activities, like dogsledding or snowshoeing. In the evening, head to remote locations for guided lights viewing. All our Canadian Northern Lights tour packages are customizable to your interests. We take care of your hotels, local transportation, and activities.

Table of contents

Top 6 Places to See Northern Lights in Canada
What Causes Northern Lights?
Why Are the Northern Lights in Canada so Special?
Canadian Insider Tips to Experience Aurora Borealis
Best-selling Northern Lights Tours Canada
Frequently Asked Questions

Best Places in Canada to see Northern Lights

Canada has several top destinations for Northern Lights viewing. You could catch the lights in any Canadian province, but your chances increase when you head north. The below list features our favourite places in Canada for seeing the Aurora. Much of Canada’s north can be hard to access, so we’ve only listed the easiest places to reach.

Churchill, Manitoba
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canadian Rockies
Northern Manitoba
Newfoundland and Labrador
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

The best time to see Northern Lights in Canada is between late August through April. The longer, dark nights of Fall and Winter means the window of time for viewing is extended. In addition, the colder weather means there is a higher chance of clear skies in northern latitudes — the cold air holds less moisture — increasing the odds of seeing the aurora borealis.

1. Churchill, Manitoba

Green Northern Lights in the sky above a group of people next to an Inukshuk in Churchill — Northern Lights in Churchill, Manitoba

Churchill is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada. The town sits under the auroral oval, and the Northern lights are visible up to 300 nights annually. Long nights and cold temperatures offer the best experience for witnessing auroral activity, so we recommend visiting during January, February or March.

Accessibility and unique features: Located on the shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill is a remote town that can only be reached by train or plane — there is no way to drive to Churchill. The easiest option is to catch a flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, which takes about two hours. Our trips include your charter flight from Winnipeg to Churchil.

In addition to being an aurora-viewing destination, Churchill is known as the world's polar bear capital due to the large population of polar bears living there. 

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) is an active research centre outside of Churchill. If you are interested in learning more about the science of the Northern Lights and the subarctic environment of Manitoba, then the CNSC is an ideal destination.

Best time to go: January, February, and March

Number of nights visible: up to 300 nights per year

Tours and daytime activities: Wildlife tours (including polar bears and belugas, depending on the season), astronomy tours, tundra-buggy excursions, photography courses, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, Indigenous story-telling and experiences, fine-dining options, and museums.

[Explore: Northern Lights Tour in Churchill ]

Travel tip: Daytime activities
Northern Lights viewing happens late at night, so there’s time for fun activities during the day. You can choose to go dogsledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more.

Katherine Foxcroft
Director of Product: Hotels, Tours and Excursions

2. Whitehorse, Yukon

Pink and green Northern Lights above a snowy mountain and lake in the Yukon — Northern lights above a lake in Yukon, Canada.

The Yukon is one of Canada’s northern territories and its capital, Whitehorse, is a top destination for Northern Lights viewing. The beginning of winter provides the highest probability of seeing the aurora borealis, though it is possible to spot the lights anytime from August to April. Like Churchill, visiting in winter is best as the nights are long and dark with clear skies. The lights appear brighter when there is a dark sky. 

In the summer, the Northern Lights are not visible in the Yukon because of the midnight sun.

Accessibility and unique features: Whitehorse is easily reachable by air, with regular flights into its airport. Our Yukon trips do include return airfare between Vancouver and Whitehorse.

The city sits on the historic Yukon River and is surrounded by serene landscapes. During the day, visitors can explore nearby mountains, forests, lakes, and canyons. Popular attractions include the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Seasonal activities include snowmobiling, ice fishing, dogsledding, and hiking.

Best time to go: between November and March

Number of nights visible: up to 240 nights per year

Tours and daytime activities: Wildlife tours, fall-colour tours, hot springs and spas, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, museums, Indigenous story-telling and experiences, glass-blowing courses and art gallery tours.

[Explore: Whitehorse Yukon Aurora Tours ]

3. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Green swirling Northern Lights above a snowy landscape in Yellowknife — A wide view of the Northern Lights while it is dark out and above a frozen landscape with a line of trees in the background

Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories is beneath the auroral oval, making it one of the best places for a Northern Lights vacation. The lights are visible up to 240 nights per year, with fall and winter being the main viewing seasons. Cold temperatures and clear, dark skies create the ideal canvas for the bright colours of the Canadian Aurora Borealis.

Accessibility and unique features: Yellowknife is well-connected by air. Many visitors choose to fly to Yellowknife from Vancouver or Calgary. The city is located on the shores of Great Slave Lake, so it's possible to get out on the water if you visit during the fall months. In the winter, driving along the famous ice road is an unbelievable experience.

Best time to go: between November and April

Number of nights visible: up to 240 nights per year

Tours and daytime activities: Wildlife tours, fall-colour tours, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, museums, Indigenous story-telling and experiences, and art gallery tours.

[ Explore: Yellowknife Northern Lights Tours ]

4. Northern Manitoba

People standing on the dock at Gangler's Lodge watching the aurora borealis

In addition to Churchill, other locations in Manitoba offer excellent Northern Lights viewing experiences, like Gangler's North Seal River Lodge. Gangler's Lodge is in Northern Manitoba, near the border between Manitoba and Nunavut. 

Accessibility and unique features: You can fly to Winnipeg, then continue to your chosen destination in Manitoba. Our tour to Gangler’s Lodge includes your charter flight from Winnigeg. The lodge is surrounded by 5 million acres of exclusive land, so there is no light pollution. This means you’ll be able to see the Northern Lights directly from the lodge.

Tours and activities: If you visit this unique area, you can explore eskers, see glacial erratics, and discover the dramatic landscape of subarctic Manitoba with local biologists and Indigenous guides. Daytime activities include kayaking, ATVing, Fat-Tire bikes, and hiking.

Best time to visit : Gangler’s Lodge offers Northern Lights safari-style trips during August and September.

[Explore: Northern Lights Safari at Gangler's Lodge]

5. Canadian Rockies

Colourful Northern Lights above a lake and snowy mountain range in the Rockies — Vermillion Lake in Banff at night with Northern lights in sky

The Canadian Rockies are famous for dramatic mountain peaks and turquoise lakes, but did you know that you can see the Northern Lights here, too? Jasper and Banff national parks are two of Canada's best locations for Northern Lights viewing.

Banff National Park is home to many recommended locations far from city lights that are perfect for visitors chasing the Northern Lights. Cascade Pond offers clear views to the northern horizon, while Lake Minnewanka’s large size provides ideal open skies.

Jasper is the world's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve. Dark Sky Preserves are areas with low light pollution. So, Jasper is the perfect place to stargaze and watch the Northern Lights. You can visit Jasper during the Dark Sky Festival in October for an even more magical experience.

Best time to go: between October and April

Number of nights visible: up to 300 nights per year, depending on light pollution

Tours and daytime activities: Wildlife tours, hot springs and spas, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, museums, Indigenous story-telling and experiences, gondola tours, planetarium and museums.

6. Newfoundland and Labrador

Green Northern Lights in a starry sky above a historical site in Newfoundland — Northern Lights at L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site in Newfoundland, Canada

If you are on the East Coast of Canada, head to Newfoundland and Labrador to see the Northern Lights. Your best bet for viewing the Aurora in this province is to find a remote spot away from light pollution. There are some great viewing spots near the coast, in the national parks, and up north. The province has large areas of untouched wilderness, providing fantastic conditions for Northern lights viewing.

Best time to go: September to October and March to April

Number of nights visible: up to 60 nights per year

Tours and daytime activities: Wildlife tours, cultural centres and museums.

What Causes Northern Lights?

Understanding the science behind this light show can add to your experience of seeing the Northern Lights in Canada. The aurora borealis is actually caused by solar activity. The sun emits a continuous stream of charged particles known as solar wind. As these charged particles flow towards Earth, they are drawn towards the planet’s poles by its magnetic field. When the charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere — primarily oxygen and nitrogen — they release energy in the form of light, which becomes the aurora borealis.

The specific colours of the Northern Lights depend on which gas molecules are being excited and their altitude. Oxygen at higher altitudes (above 150 miles) produces red auroras, while oxygen at lower altitudes (up to 150 miles) produces the more common green lights. Nitrogen can result in rare blue or purple auroras.

Canada’s proximity to the magnetic north pole makes it one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights. Regions such as Yukon, Northwest Territories, and parts of Manitoba and Alberta are particularly well-suited for aurora viewing — some are under the auroral oval, a recognized region of increased activity around the earth's poles. A combination of clear skies, minimal light pollution, and high geomagnetic activity ensures frequent and vivid displays.

Infographic explaining what causes Northern Lights

Why Are the Northern Lights in Canada so Special?

Besides looking beautiful and being on many travelers’ wish lists, the Northern Lights are fascinating from a scientific point of view and have lots of cultural significance.

The lights are surrounded in many myths and legends across the world. For example, in Finnish folklore many people say the lights are created by the Arctic fox running through the snow. The country’s Sami people, however, believe the lights are the souls of the dead. In old Norse Viking legends, the lights were reflections bouncing off warriors’ armor.

In Canada, some Indigenous Peoples see the lights as sacred, regarding them as ancestral spirits dancing in the sky for the Great Spirit. For other groups, the lights are sky people playing ball, while others believe they are the spirits of those who passed in a difficult way. Many people speak hearing the lights, with crackling, sizzling, and hissing sounds. Some legends warn against attracting the attention of the lights because they can draw close and carry you away.

Travel tip: Photography equipment
If you’re keen to capture photos of the Northern Lights, bring a tripod with you to keep your camera steady during longer exposure times.

Hannah Poaros-McDermott
Travel Writer and Senior Content Coordinator

Canadian Insider Tips to Experience Aurora Borealis

The best way to see the Northern Lights is on a guided tour. A guide that knows the local area will check the Aurora forecast and take you to unique viewing locations.
Be prepared to stay up late because the best time to view the Northern Lights is between 10pm and 2am, often around midnight. We suggest having a nap in the afternoon to compensate for these late nights!
Tour guides on a Canada Northern Lights tour will take you to remote viewing locations that might be hard to reach on your own. Be ready to travel and wrap up warm.
An advantage of joining a tour is that most providers offer winter gear rentals (if you do not own appropriate attire for the chilly Canadian temperatures).
There’s no need to invest in and pack heavy winter coats and boots. Our guided tours include rental options that make it easy to stay warm and dry. Do bring clothing that is easy to layer.
Northern Canada is home to many Indigenous nations. Add a local cultural experience to your trip, from visiting art galleries to organized activities from Dene story-telling tours to watching the aurora borealis in a teepee with a private guide.
For the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights, visit in Fall or Winter. While you can sometimes spot the aurora borealis in some regions in summer, that season’s longer daylight hours reduce your viewing window.

Best-selling Northern Lights Tours Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Northern Lights tour worth it?

Guided Northern Lights tours often provide the best chances of seeing the lights in optimal conditions, making them a worthwhile option for those seeking a memorable experience.

How much is a trip to see the Northern Lights?

Prices vary for Northern Lights Canada 2024 trips and depend on location, length of trip, season, day tours, accommodation, and more. Our Northern Lights of Yellowknife package starts from $1,390 USD per person (flights not included). A fall trip to the Yukon starts at $2,160 USD per person, while a winter trip to Churchill starts at $3,850 USD per person. Many options are available, so please contact a vacation advisor for more information.

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